There is an elderly gentleman, Joseph, in our neighbourhood. He lives alone and is seen out and about less often now. He has always impressed me by his acceptance of his increasing disability and frailty. I knew him when he was younger. He enjoyed life, loved music especially opera, distilled his own homemade spirits, valued family and friends. Humanly speaking the diminishment of growing old seems meaningless to many. Yet he always seems philosophical and cheerful. He inspires me. Today he surprised me by writing me an email, sharing the secret of his good spirits and ready smile: his total trust and acceptance of God’s Will for him now.
Many elderly people find deep peace in the same total trust, in spite of severe disability and loss of independence. Once I asked one of our old sisters, confined to her bed, how she managed to make sense of her life now. She said “I gave my life to the Lord when I was young, I am still His now to do with me as He pleases”. Another, nearing her 104th birthday, shared with me one day: “I asked the Lord ‘why do You want me to live so long?’ and He answered ‘I want you to pray for the world’ and that was what she did all day long! As another neighbour was fond of saying “It is all a Mystery” and so it is!
“We continue to participate fully in the mission of the Institute even when age or illness restricts our activity. We live through this period of our life with loving confidence in God” (BI 48)
Sr. Georgina
Comentarios