Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org

Published on Thursday, 26 November 2020

The elderly are our treasure

By Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader :

"I fear for my father and mother… I fear for my grandfather and grandmother." These days we hear such words uttered by several people who are infected with Coronavirus, or who are exposed to the infection due to the nature of their work, or simply speaking due to what they hear of news and stories relevant to the disease which seriously threatens the elderly, especially those who suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

 

It is important and necessary not only to “fear for” the elderly, but to overwhelm them with love, appreciation and respect. So long that we say that the youngsters are the "adornment of life", then the elderly are the "real treasure" found in our homes, whether among those who are able to walk and serve themselves, or the sick who sometimes suffer silently.

 

In general, the people of our dear country convey to the elderly great attention, and keep them in their own homes, or in the homes of their children, especially in the case of loneliness, after the passing away of a husband or a wife. We rarely hear about ungrateful children who disavow their parents. It could be that loneliness experienced by the elderly does not exist in our country. The elderly, especially those living in our villages, are overwhelmed with love and good care. Among the most impressive painting at that period is the painting by Juan Lucena who drew a painting in memory of the grandparents showing them look back to their grandchildren through glass without being bid farewell.

 

From a humanitarian perspective, as several European countries suffered with the start of the Corona crisis last March, many "elderly", grandparents and grandmothers passed away without being bid farewell by anyone. This is, of course, painful as life ends at a time when it was abounding with hard work and sacrifice in favor of their children and grandchildren.

 

However, our beloved country is not immune to these events, as an unusual large numbers of people pass away. Silence mixed with sorrow prevails in these houses following the passing away of whom Pope France has referred to as “a source of memory, wisdom, and faith” in early 2020 while addressing participants in the international congress on 'The Richness of Many Years of Life' during which he focused on the role of grandparents in transmitting faith to their grandchildren and raising the youth in faith.

 

Therefore, we urgently call for protecting our beloved elderly and for overwhelming them with love. The advanced age is not a disease but rather a privilege and a blessing from the Merciful God. Let us shake hands with them in their homes after we have washed our hands well. Let us avoid in our news bulletins and in our conversations saying that the disease kills the elderly, because this attitude instills terror and silent outbursts of sadness in the hearts of the loved grandparents.

 

 O Lord, grant eternal rest unto those who passed away and provide those who are still living with good health, and the ability to spread their invaluable experiences, including wisdom and faith.

 

This is reminiscent of a sing by Fairouz, “O grandmother we miss you.”

 

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