Word to the Wise
Sunday, May 1, 2022 - 3rd Sunday of Easter - C
[Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41; Rev 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 or 21:1-14,21]"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]
These words of Jesus are spoken after he has asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" Peter's threefold protestation of love for Jesus seems to match his threefold earlier denial of Jesus during the Passion. This appears in the longer version of the gospel scripture for today. If it is not read at your parish, I urge you to read it yourselves.
Although the evangelist who added the 21st chapter (the "Johannine appendix") of the Gospel According to John interprets Jesus' statement as a prediction of Peter's death as an old man, it will strike home to anyone like myself (I am 79!) The gradual loss of independence in a culture of individualism and personal freedom is a deep challenge. The disappearance of the extended, multi-generational family in favor of "elder-care" institutions and "graduated-care communities" makes for family by visitation only and can deepen the loneliness and isolation that many elderly feel. Pope Francis has spoken eloquently on this subject:
"There is a need for dialogue between the generations: If there is no dialogue between young people and the elderly, if there is no dialogue, each generation remains isolated and cannot transmit the message. Think: A young person who is not bonded to his or her roots, which are the grandparents, does not receive the strength, like the tree, the strength of the roots, and grows up badly, grows up ailing, grows up without points of reference. Therefore, it is necessary to seek, as a human need, dialogue between generations. And this dialogue is important between grandparents and grandchildren, who are the two extremes."
I am truly grateful that I can minister in my "elder years" in a campus ministry community where the dialogue Pope Francis speaks of is possible on a daily basis. The role of a "spiritual grandparent" is rich and fulfilling. I pray that it can be better extended outside a campus environment. Each generation can ask the other, "Do you love me?" For we must see Christ in one another. AMEN