Better than anything else, they whose body and heart are wounded by disabilities know that the truth about a person goes beyond appearances.
Never look at an old man as finished.
Despite the setbacks of old age, wrinkles and energy that disappears, he is the weight of life and history… the weight of silence and contemplation … a temple of Wisdom and Love…
A hundred-year-old tree he remains, offering fresh tender green leaves every spring.
Never look at an old man as finished!
And if you have hope, look upon him as an eternal creature, who will rise with vigor and youth!
Robert Philippe*
“Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green!”
Psalm 91,14
When I listened to the group leader of “Visitors of the sick” read this verse, it reminded me of an 86-year-old believer that I regularly bring communion to.
He is a man of prayer, wisdom and Faith, who has trouble seeing. He meditates on daily Mass readings that he hears early each morning on the radio. When I go to visit, we share some of our reflections.
Sometimes I give him prayer intentions. I always leave enriched by our visit.
For me he is a living image of Contemplation, a temple of Wisdom and Love.
I can only thank the Lord for the weight of life shared with HIM!
Pascaline, sscj Vannes