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The Wisdom of Age
The gospel today, recounting the meeting between Mary and Joseph, and Simeon and Anna is one of my favorites. It makes me think of those people with long lives who were faithful to the gospel and their baptism. They are people of wisdom.
People like a woman from Hungary who escaped with her children to safety. I used to remark that I could see the wisdom etched in her face. The strength and resolve of struggle were quite evident.
There was the Dominican friar, who was sharing with me his not so optimistic diagnosis in the hospital. “I trust in the promises.” I learned that he not only preached about his faith. He lived it, too.
People like my grandmother. She was a tremendously faithful woman. In fact, when I was first ordained a priest, any homily or talk I gave always caused me to think about my grandmother’s reaction to what I might say. I certainly wanted what I would say to be something that would help her (and by extension, others) to grow in faith.
I think of the many senior citizens (or those with more life experience as I like to call them) whose faith has edified me in my ministry. I think of the older Dominican friars and other priests who have served as such great role models.
Simeon and Anna represent those tried-and-true people who for many years have been faithful to God. A long life was often seen as a sign of blessing. Perseverance in faith over many, many years is a tremendous example. And perseverance in our faith and in our relationship with God, is something we should ask God to give to us as well.
On the friar, you can listen to our homilies (based on the readings of the day) and reflections. You can also ask us to pray for you or to pray for others. You can subscribe to our website to be informed whenever we publish an update.
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