Prayers & Reflections on Aging
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Season of Hope Prayers & Reflections on Aging Little Sisters of the Poor © Copyright 2014 – Little Sisters of the Poor www.littlesistersofthepoor.org ISBN: 978-0-9858898-3-8 Designed & Produced by Shelby Lewis, Advertising Media Plus Published by Medinger Media Press Photos: Used with permission. Season of Hope Prayers & Reflections on Aging Little Sisters of the Poor 6 Table of Contents Foreword ........................ 9 Prayers .......................... 11 Reflections ................... 35 Afterword ..................... 49 References .................... 50 8 AfterwordForeword Foreword We are in the midst of a demographic revolution as the world’s population rapidly ages and the very old begin to outnumber the very young. According to United Nations estimates, today there are about 600 million persons aged 60 and over worldwide. This total will double by 2025 and will reach virtually two billion by 2050. In traditional societies, the elderly were generally supported by their children and grandchildren as their strength waned. But in many parts of the world today seniors are forced to remain in the workforce longer in order to support themselves or their families. In some cases, they find themselves isolated from younger family members who have relocated, while in others they assume care-giving and homemaking roles within their extended families. At the same time, health and social services for senior citizens are often inadequate, and professionals working in these fields commonly lack the training and the empathy necessary to understand the unique needs of the elderly population. As children, many of us learned the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” But as we grew up we realized that words really are powerful, with the force to make both war and peace, to both lift up and tear down the human spirit. How difficult it must be for the elderly and those serving them to avoid becoming discouraged by our popular culture’s constant barrage of negative words and images associated with aging! A sampling of online articles refers to the elderly as socially isolated, marginalized, unproductive, powerless, misunderstood, underserved and even discarded by family and friends – and the list could go on. Even Pope Francis, a great witness to the joy of the Gospel, has repeatedly evoked the term “cultural euthanasia” to describe the tendency of western cultures to cast older persons aside. But just as the leaves fall and die each autumn in a glorious blaze of color, for those with a contemplative spirit the inevitable burdens and losses of old age are accompanied by rich gifts and graces. When all is said and done, the greatest task of the final years may be to uncover and transmit these spiritual treasures to the younger generations. Perhaps old age is not, as many suggest, a shipwreck, but a season of hope and a unique vocation with its own rewards and challenges. Several of the writers included in this book point to the Gospel figure of Simeon, who Foreword 9 awaited the Lord’s coming with eager anticipation and rejoiced as he entered into the Temple. “Growing old offers us a time to behold more fully, as Simeon did, the glory of the Lord…. He became in the end the contemplative soul he was meant to be” (van Kaam and Muto). “Simeon breaks through our pessimism, and his blessing is like a gentle smile in the face of our depressive statistics. He looks at us as if to say: ‘Have you ever thought that coming of age might also be the way to light?’” (Henri Nouwen). Mindful of the power of words, with this modest book we Little Sisters of the Poor wish to offer a message of light and hope to the elderly and those who work to uphold their dignity. May these prayers and reflections, many of them composed by well-known spiritual writers from various faith traditions during their own autumn years, provide a counterbalance to the steady stream of discouraging messages so often associated with aging in our contemporary culture. We dedicate this book to all the Simeons and Annas in our midst, who like the elderly prophets of the Gospel, show us the way to light and truth and share with us the wisdom of their years. 10 Foreword Prayers Prayers 12 Prayers PRAYER IN OLWD AGE Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am getting older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but you know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind from the recital of endless details – give me the wings to come to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others’ pains, but help me to endure them with patience. I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint – some of them are so hard to live with – but a sour old woman is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and the talents in unexpected people, and give me the grace to tell them so. – Attributed to a 17th century nun Prayers 13 PRAYER FOR A GOOD OLD AGE God, you set the stages of human life Someone who shares the last penny And made old age one of them. with those who have none, Do not permit me to become and shares the flowers in the garden one of those old grouches, with those who have no land at all. always putting people down, Let me be one of those people moaning and groaning, who strokes cats and dogs as they go by, feeling sorry for themselves, who smiles at little children unbearable to be around. and throws bread to the birds in the park. Let me keep my smile and my laughter, God, you are the eternal present; Whether my open mouth reveals don’t let me become yesterday’s person, a full set of teeth always talking about the good old days or my latest set of dentures. when it was never cloudy, and devaluing the today of young people Let me keep a sense of humor where it never stops raining. that puts things and people, including me, Let me relive my past with joy, in their rightful place, but teach me to understand and lets us laugh and live this present day at our own faults which is yours just as much as and transform our woes the past and future. into pleasantries. God, let me be an old person who has not forgotten my own youth God, you put a heart of flesh into me and refreshes that of others. so that I can love and be loved, just like the pierced heart of your Son. God, you set the seasons of the year Never let me become old and selfish, and the seasons of life. turned in on my little self Make me a person “for all seasons.” like a smoldering peat of fire I don’t ask for happiness, that is trapped by its limitations for I know too well that no season can bring this, as though by four walls, not even spring. ceaselessly struggling against the fear of failure I simply ask and the wind which threatens to blow it out. that my latter days be beautiful, Keep an open heart within me, so that they may bear witness a hand always ready to shake other hands to the beauty which is you. and to be open in giving. God, make me a generous old person, – Joseph Folliet 14 Prayers Prayers 15 16 Prayers LORD OF OUR GROWING YEARS (a hymn) Lord of our growing years, with us from infancy, Laughter and quick-dried tears, freshness and energy: Your grace surrounds us all our days, For all your gifts we bring you praise. Lord of our strongest years, stretching our youthful pow’rs, Lovers and pioneers, when all the earth seems ours; Your grace surrounds us all our days, For all your gifts we bring you praise. Lord of our middle years, Giver of steadfastness, Courage that perseveres, when there is small success: Your grace surrounds us all our days, For all your gifts we bring you praise. Lord of our older years, steep though the road may be, Rid us of foolish fears, bring us serenity: Your grace surrounds us all our days, For all your gifts we bring you praise. Lord of our closing years, always your promise stands; Hold us when death appears, safely within your hands: Your grace surrounds us all our days, For all your gifts we bring you praise. – David Mowbray Prayers 17 FRIENDS IN NURSING HOMES SERENITY PRAYER Lord Jesus Christ, God grant me the serenity hope of the frail and the infirm, to accept the things I cannot change; remember Simeon and Anna, courage to change the things that I can, the aged prophets who longed to see your face and wisdom to know the difference.