Many of the elderly are dying alone and these days not even having funerals because of the virus. The elderly easily understand the pope's solicitation for their well being. Instead of focusing only on the suffering physical and mental loss he emphasized the three gifts only the elderly can give to the younger generation: dreams, memories, and prayers.
In other words, it means 'the wise dreams of the elderly', 'memories from abundant years' and 'the prayers of the elderly with all their heart'. These gifts would become a foundation and a new future for the younger generation, who could easily be shaken or fall into difficulties. The Pope's discourse suggests that the elderly should be companions of young people and preachers of the faith.
The
Pope's statement makes us realize that the elderly, members of the
ecclesial community, are approached with a natural, everyday, practical
perspective. It's not elderly that is stressed, but their role as
grandparents to pass on the tradition of faith to the grandchildren
through dreams, memories and prayers.
A
corresponding model is Timothy, the spiritual son of the Apostle Paul.
He received their faith from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice
from an early age (2 Timothy 1:5). He was martyred as a bishop of the
Church of Ephesus while inheriting the legacy of faith from the apostle
Paul. The reason that Bishop Timothy was able to become an exemplary
believer was his grandmother and mother, a Catholic family, and a
teacher named Apostle Paul. In particular, it can be seen that
grandparents, such as grandmothers, have a very large influence on their
grandchildren and granddaughters to grow and grow as believers
regardless of age.
There's
a joke these days that shows just how big a role grandparents play in
the education of their grandchildren. It is said that there must be
three 'visions' to educate a child: 'grandfather's wealth', 'mom's
intelligence', and 'father's indifference'. The wealth of the
grandfather determines the education of the grandchildren. But today,
one more has been added. That is the maternal 'grandmother's physical
strength'.
Interest
and expectations are mobilized on both sides of the family for their
children's education and social success. The birth of a child is a
blessing in itself in a country gradually decreasing in population due
to abandonment of marriage and low fertility, so interest and
expectations for children are inevitably high.
What
about religious education for the child? While enthusiasm for education
for the college entrance is high, religious education is rarely
conducted even in the most devout of families. Of course, it is
important to enter a good university or a good company and achieve
social success, but living as a true human is even more important. Human
perfection requires not only intellect and humanity, but also an
abundance of spirituality.
Grandparents
should reflect on the Pope's discourse to see if they are passing on
the legacy of faith to their grandchildren. To newborns, children,
adolescents, grandparents should set an example of faith in the home. It
is also important to create an atmosphere in the house according to the
liturgical calendar, celebrating the liturgical feasts at home. When
we have prayer at home,before and after meals, the reading of the
Bible, children and adolescents naturally watch learn and follow.
In particular, grandparents' love for the grandchildren
who replace working parents these days
will never end. And with the increase of age this becomes more difficult with the ailments that come. In this environment there is no doubt
that grandchildren will grow into precious children of God if faith is
inherited through the dreams, memories, and prayers of grandparents. "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52).
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