In Pope Francis' series of catechesis on the elderly, he reflected on the “ indispensable role” which they play in helping the young mature in wisdom.
The Pope said that the special vocation of the elderly is thus “to welcome the young into our world, to celebrate their lives as a blessing and to testify to the unity of the different generations in the unfolding of God’s saving plan.”
SUMMARY OF THE POPE'S CATECHSIS IN ENGLISH:
Dear brothers and sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on old age in the light of God’s word, we now turn to the mysterious figure of the “Ancient of Days,” presented in a vision of the prophet Daniel (Dn 7:9) and echoed in the Book of Revelation (cf. Rev 1:13-14).
This image of God the Father, venerable in age and authority, expresses God’s transcendence, his eternity and his constant care for this world and its history.
The figure of the “one like a son of man” is a prophecy of Jesus, the eternal Son of the Father, sent into our world for our salvation. At his Presentation in the Temple, the child Jesus was embraced by Simeon and Anna, two elderly people who recognized in him the long-awaited fulfillment of God’s promises.
The presence of the aged couple speaks to us of the special vocation of the elderly: to welcome the young into our world, to celebrate their lives as a blessing and to testify to the unity of the different generations in the unfolding of God’s saving plan.
The elderly play an indispensable role in helping the young to mature in wisdom, rooted in continuity with the past and looking ahead to the future of hope that God, the “Ancient of Days,” opens up before us all.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience. Upon you and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you!
