Bishop Wester offers gratitude to seniors for their service

Intermountain Catholic

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SALT LAKE CITY — St. Irenaeus once said that "The glory of God is the human person fully alive." I often think of this verse when I see someone who has reached a "venerable, old age." True, one can be fully alive at any age and that certainly is a laudable goal for all of us. Yet, those who are advanced in years have lived much and have had countless opportunities to witness God’s grace at work in them, in our Church and in our world. They have "endured the heat of the noonday sun" and have no doubt had their fair share of suffering. Just being older brings with it a fair share of suffering! As my mother playfully, yet truthfully, reminds us, "Old age is not for sissies!" But with this suffering and day to day living comes "wisdom, by the awful grace of God", as Aeschylus would have it. Our elderly sisters and brothers inspire us with their patience, their compassion and their insight into the mysteries of life. They teach us with a gentle hand, accepting our sometimes immature decisions, smiling supportively at our wild dreams, overlooking our lack of attention to them and loving us into a fuller, deeper life.

I am delighted that this issue of our Intermountain Catholic is devoted to our seniors, those who have reached the fullness of years. I am pleased for this opportunity to assure all of our elders that they are loved beyond measure and that they have our undying gratitude for serving as bright beacons of hope for all of us who journey with them toward the fullness of God’s Kingdom. God bless all of our seniors. I join all our readers in wishing them many more years of good health, peace and true joy.