Better nutrition and access to advance health care has increased the ordinary life span of countless citizens to levels never imagined before. In this sense, we are thankful for such blessings, while we also do all we can, to ensure that such benefits are made available to the entire human family.

In the past things were different as the birth rate of children per family was often much higher, and longevity of life was much lower. Not living beyond their 70s, the elderly were generally physically and mentally capable, and largely fending for themselves, they were still cared for by at least one younger member of the family.

Today it is not so for many, and if we consider the professional assistance that advanced age requires, as well as the increasing demands of life and work for younger generations, we see how many societies have responded to the needs of the elderly via the provision of institutional centers and elderly homes, where teams of paid professionals tend to the physical, emotional and health requirements of the elderly. Many health care workers, clearly and wonderfully give their all to look after our elderly.

But our Holy Father is right. Speaking as a prophet, he is warning and denouncing the growing sin of the abandonment of the elderly. The sin where fathers, mothers, uncles and aunts, for example, are left largely, or entirely, to the care of professionals, while the young busy themselves, not just with work, but with leisure too, and at the expense of caring for their elderly. How many are alone! What has happened to filial piety? To that virtue ensuing from the practice of the 4th commandment, where the dictate “honor your father and mother” has not just taken a low place in our lives, but even been totally ignored? What a tragedy!

The elderly are entitled to our love. They constitute our very roots and are a source of enrichment to each of us, as to society. Their advanced age is not a burden, for our response to their needs gives us true happiness, as in love we are further enriched by their wisdom. Like no else, the elderly pass on to future generations the fruits of their mature human and spiritual experience.

May our Holy Father’s words enlighten us to rise to our solemn call to honor our elderly.

 

Catherine Wiley