Not long ago, on the Solemnity of All Saints, I wrote a letter to the elderly priests of my archdiocese of Merida-Badajoz. In it I told them that I was thinking a lot about them, especially since the pandemic began, and I expressed my closeness to them as a father, friend, brother and pastor.
Historically, the role of elders has been highly valued in all societies. They are the roots, what anchors a society to history, the link between yesterday and today, they are the memory of the community, they are the reflection of wisdom. In the Holy Scriptures there are many passages on the respect and authority of the elders, such as the one we find in Leviticus: Rise up before the gray hairs and honor the elder. Fear your God. I am the Lord (Lev. 19:32), or in Job: Is not wisdom in the aged, and prudence in the aged (Job 12:12)?
But, in addition to the words that call our attention to old age, in the Holy Scriptures we find many elderly characters, to whom a very important role is attributed: Zechariah and Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna....
Our world has changed that scheme of values. We seek continuous change; what is today is useless tomorrow. The magic word is "progress". Technology has been enthroned, as reason was in the 18th century, and those who handle technology are the young. Youth is admired, old age is looked upon with disaffection. In the tree of the 21st century the branches have all the importance and it seems that the roots have none. Often the tasty fruit offered by the elders is not appreciated and people want to cut down the tree. For some time now, there has been no room in our homes for the elders and there is no room for the children either. I cannot tell you if this is taking us away from God or if it is the distance from God that is making us see life in this way.
If older people are a treasure for the Church, what shall we say of older priests? They have the great wisdom that the university of life has given them, as I said in the letter quoted above. The priestly ministry has given them for so many years a deep knowledge of the human soul.
We all know that many priests, deserving of rest because of their age and services rendered over many years, continue to serve our communities. Moreover, many of them listen to the Word of God and celebrate the Eucharist thanks to the untiring dedication of our priests emeritus.
Far from what they can contribute, which is usually the thermometer used by many to evaluate people, older priests speak to us, just by looking at them, without uttering a word, of fidelity, dedication, renunciation, faith... Many people are what they are because one day they met a priest who guided them and helped them to lead their lives. If the wrinkles of their skin could be unfolded, each one of them would carry a message and many secrets that hide the joys of others that give them fulfillment.
Being for God from others has very beneficial side effects for oneself, because what one receives in seeking to bring others closer to the Lord, is a day's wages of glory for which, as we know, there is no great work, as we recite in that hymn of vespers.
I do not want to let this opportunity pass without asking our emeritus priests to continue to be an example for the younger brothers of the presbyterate, those who still have to mature a lot in their priestly life with new and complicated situations derived from a society that moves away from God and that, frequently, looks away from the things that remain forever. Thank you for your service, for your joy, for seeing and showing us life in a straightforward and natural way.
