WELFARE OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS
Dear brothers & Sisters and children,
I stand before you not as a speaker but as one
of the Eldest persons. gathered here!
In fact
the subject lesson on which we share today, according to the Church Calendar is
“CARING AND ACCEPTING THE ELDERLY”. The lessons we heard this morning also are
focussing on this aspect of our behaviour towards the Elders, both our parents
and the older people in the community.
God has given us life in four Packages 1) The
Child hood 2) The teenage 3) The Youth and 4) The Old age. All the four are of
different nature and specialities. In Childhood the entire care is taken by the
parents particularly the Mother, as the child is unable to do anything for itself.
Thereafter during the Teenage the parents have a remote control on the children
in their daily needs both at home and in their education etc.
During the Youth or Adolescent period there is
a total change in the personality development and he or she looks after their
needs themselves with occasional help from their parents and friends.
Now the next
stage is very important as it has multifaceted features which have to be
handled carefully. First of all the Elders themselves must know their
limitations. This fact is to be accepted by them. The children and those who
are with these old people also must accept their inabilities and support them
to tide over the problems.
Before we examine the different aspects of
Elderly people of this generation, we may go back to our ancestor’s period of
living together as a joint family, sharing the burden together in their family
and attending the needs of the elderly people. Feeling of isolation is not felt
by the elders and this situation makes them forget their infirmities. They also
share the happiness and sorrows together with members of the family.
God gave a companion to Adam only because he
did not want Adam to be alone and in isolation. That shows that by creation we
need mutual support to live in whatever stage we are. King David was anxious
about his old age and he prays to God not to forsake him in his old age when he
will be feeble in strength. He pleads God to give long life to convey the God’s
Glory and Power and Strength to the future generation. God answered his request
and promised him to take care of him. Read Paslms 71 and Isaiah 46/4
The old
age is an agonising period of life and you need a comforter to help you. WHILE Jesus Christ was on the cross He asked His disciple John to look after His mother Mary.
This confirms the fact that elders cannot live alone in old age. Jesus also
tells His disciples that, HE will send a Comforter to them after He is gone.
This instance clearly shows that we must take care of our Elders in their
difficult period of life.
GOD
wants the youngsters to obey His commandments (Deuteronomy 5-16, Ephesians
6/1-2 and Colossians 3/20). Also the elders must on their part train up their
children the way of life so that they will not depart from it in their life on
this earth.( See Proverbs 22-6)
The younger generation must therefore be alert
to learn more from their parents and Elders so that they will look after their
parents in later stages.
EXODUS 21-17 is an important verse to be seen
by our Youngsters.
In this context we have to remember that the
old age is our 2nd Childhood. As we were brought up by our parents
we have to return the same service of supporting and caring our parents in
their old age. This reciprocal support is our benign duty given to us by God
and we have to fulfil that responsibility while on Earth. The modern tendency
of sending our dear ones to an old age home or any other distant places will
not do justice to our duties towards our Father and & Mother. Please
remember that. These elders in these homes will not be happy and in Peace. They
always like to be in the same house during
the last lap of their earthly journey and any amount of comforts offered
in the old age homes will not match with the homely comforts they get in their
Homes with their dear ones. Your presence will be a “ Soothing Balm” for their
mental agony and bodily pains.
The recent decision of the Supreme Court also
subscribe to the fact that the elders should be in their own houses and the
children cannot put them elsewhere. According to “The Senior Citizen act 2007”,
negligence and desertion in the welfare of parents and Elders is a punishable
criminal offence.
Recognition is very important in the relation
to our Elders. We must respect them and always accept their disposition and
extend a helping hand even if they are not related to us. A waving or
gesticulation is enough to keep them happy, as they feel that you are with
them. This will give great feelings for those who are lonely with attended
problems. Never discard a person in distress. We cannot be Good Samaritan
always. But at times when opportunity comes we must render a helping hand.
Now coming back to our topic on Elderly Care and Acceptance of them with due Respect and
also sharing their problems in life.
Acceptance
of old people
Both the old and young must accept the
difficulties of old age. Accepting the disabilities of old age and getting rid
of them by mutual support. King David knew his old age limitations and he
prayed to God for strengthening him in his old age. He pleaded for long life so
that he can pass on to the coming generation about the power and strength of
God.i Ref: Paslms 71- 9-18
Joseph accepted his father Jacob and all his
belongings and his brothers to Egypt during the famine in Canan, with the
permission of King Pharoah, who sent his chariots to bring them to Egypt.
Joseph loved and he accepted his brothers who wanted to kill him in the past.
Genesis 46-28-34
Ruth accepts Naomi her Mother in law and
renders all help to her in her old age. Acceptance follows Respect. Ruth
respected her old mother in law and protected her. “Hoary head is a crown of
Glory if it be found in the ways of righteousness.” Proverbs 16-31
Respect Elderly persons.
In Exodus 21-17 it is said” He that curses his
Father or Mother shall surely be put to Death”. and in Deut: Chapter 5-16,
Ephesians 6-1-2 , and Colossians 3-20,
we read the portions dealing with
our behaviour towards our Elders. “Honour thy Father and Mother as thy Lord and
thy God has commanded to thee, that the days may be prolonged and it may go well
with thee in the Land which the Lord thy God give thee”.
The children must be brought up to obey and
respect the parents and other elderly people. Remember the verses in Proverbs
22-6. Again St. Paul,l while writing to
his son ( Not Biological son) but son by
faith, tells Timothy to ensure that in Ephesus he cautions them “ Not to Rebuke the Elders but Respect them
.The elders as Father and the younger as brother. Elder woman as Mother and younger as sisters!
1st Timothy 5-1
Now few points to keep us happy in old age of
our life.
1
TEACH your children the way of
life. THE BOOK of proverbs must be taught to them till they learn by heart.
Daily pray before going to
bed (Famil
