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for older people and their life of faith and hope.

   

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Pope Francis speaks about the wisdom of age

21st March 2022 By GerryBurke

Pope Francis on Noah and old age, mar 22

 

POPE FRANCIS

GENERAL AUDIENCE

Paul VI Audience Hall

Wednesday, 16 March 2022

 

Summary of the Holy Father’s words on the topic of being older:

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the meaning and value of old age, viewed in the light of God’s word, we now consider the vital role of the elderly in handing on to new generations life’s true and sustaining values. In the very first pages of the Bible, God entrusts to the elderly Noah the task of restoring the goodness of his creation, which had become corrupted by the spread of violence and wickedness. Jesus himself speaks of the “days of Noah” in warning us of the need for conversion in view of the imminent coming of God’s Kingdom, which brings mankind definitive salvation and spiritual renewal. In every age, as in the days of Noah, we can be tempted to accept sin and corruption as normal, to avert our eyes from the unjust suffering of the poor and the destruction of our natural environment. In our own day, these are the fruits of a materialistic, self-centred and spiritually empty culture of waste. The elderly, like Noah, can warn us of this danger and remind us of our God-given call to be guardians and stewards of his creation. May Noah’s example and prayers inspire our elderly to appreciate this, their special charism, and help to build a new “ark” of welcome, care and hope, for the future of our world and the dawn of the new creation.

 

Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione – Libreria Editrice Vaticana

Filed Under: Speaking Out

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Speaking Out

There are some things which just have to be said.  We have to speak out because at the heart of the Christian message is our belief that God is not silent.  God has spoken through creation itself and the evolving universe; through the human story; through the dwelling of Jesus Christ in time; through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in each believer; through the inspiration of the scriptures; and through the wisdom and the teaching of the Church through the ages.

We use words all the time.  Words of welcome.  Words of wisdom.  Words of warmth.  Words of warning.  Words of wistfulness.  Our words are wasted if words are just words.   In the beginning was the Word.  And the Word was with God.  And the Word was God.  Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him.   The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word made things happen.

As Christians, as followers of the Word, we do something about what we have heard.  Our own best words are our actions.

Please tell us what you would like us to Speak Out about by contacting:  info@ccoa.org.uk

 

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Comment & Opinion

Christians on Ageing cannot deal with every issue affecting the lives of older people but it can highlight those which are causing public debate or concern.  The charity’s first task is to identify these for its members and to provide information about the nature of the debate and the variety of views and opinions being proposed.  Unless members of Christians on Ageing have been canvassed for their views or the Executive Committee has taken a policy decision, the articles here are to be considered an exploration of the issues rather than a formal comment.  The nature of the contribution to the debate will always be made clear.

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Honorary Secretary
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