Word to the Wise
Friday, May 13, 2016 - 7th Week of Easter - Fri
[Acts 25:13b-21 and John 21:15-19]"Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." [John]
For the last couple of weeks, our gospel scene has been taken from the Last Supper account in the Gospel of John. We say wiith John today, but the scene shifts to a post-resurrection account. The scene is a poignant one because Jesus confronts Peter with the triple "Do you love me?" Peter's all too human character is on full display. It is after the third question and emotional response that Jesus says the words quoted above about growing older. The evangelist explains that Jesus was telling Peter about what lay ahead for Peter. Those words, however, strike home for me at the age of 73!
Discipleship, like much of human life, grows and changes in various stages. The poet's words, "Come grow old with me, the best is yet to come.." are true enough but younger expectations remain to cause impatience with dimished energy. For some, old age can be a kind of martyrdom. For others it is a time of enjoying the accumulated wisdom and memories of a life well-lived. Can we imagine Jesus as a "golden-ager?"
I am finding that gratitude is one of the best ways to celebrate years with the Lord. The years when I could "dress my self and go where I wanted to go" have been a great gift, but so are those who respond when I "stretch out my arms" to be lead somewhere I'm not sure I want to go. I'm just glad they will be there to do that. AMEN
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