Life is both mysterious and funny. It dwells upon contradictions. A case in point would be the spirituality of the elderly. In a time when autonomy, relationships, beauty and wholeness seem to dwindle, the elderly can develop spiritual attitudes which help them transform themselves in and through these four spiritual ways of being.
Autonomy is tantamount to the maturing process. A mature person is one who is self-responsible for her/his own fate. Obviously, as one gets older one has to rely on other’s help. Choosing to receive help from others is another manner of exercising one’s self-responsibility. The Bible presents to us the characters of Simeon and Anna. Both had chosen to wait for their encounter with the Messiah.
Relationships make us who we are and give our lives meaning. As the old person gets older her/his relationships networks start getting smaller. It would be wise for the elderly to review her/his own life. Such reviewing not only makes one’s life more meaningful, but can be used as a resource of wisdom and direction for later generations. Think for instance of the apostle John who spent his old life sharing Jesus’ words and deeds with others, especially through his writing.
Beauty motivates in us the power of expressing its aesthetic enjoyment through music, art, literature etc. With senility, we are deprived from visiting museums, craft exhibitions etc. A fruitful spiritual manner of coping with this loss is that of learning to show gratitude for the gifts God has given us. Deeply appreciating the present moment is a landmark in one’s own spiritual growth.
This also means renouncing too long for what is no longer available to us. The biblical portrait of John the Baptist represents this living in the desert. The tough ambiance of the desert helped John focusing on his mission to prepare the way for the One who was to come. As Jesus appeared in Galilee John terminated his mission by directing his disciples to Jesus: He must increase, but I must decrease (Jn 3, 30).
Even in their old age, the elderly continually search for wholeness. Whether through praying a decade of the rosary, reflecting on a Scriptural line, or ruminating on a familiar hymn they become engulfed within the value of contemplation. With Mary of Bethany, they like sitting at the Lord’s feet, listening to his teaching (see Lk 10, 39). And their prayer becomes Jesus’ one to the Father: Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit! … It is finished (Lk 23, 46; Jn 19, 30).
Old age is a contradictory phase of life. What was sown in tears could either be reaped in gladness or in sorrow. All depends how one chooses to respond.
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
San Gwann