POPE JOHN PAUL II TAUGHT AGE APPRECIATION
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
Pope John Paul II grew older, more feeble, showing it, sharing his suffering with his audiences and yet never thinking of terminating his ministry.
Though reports came out in the press that in 2000 he considered resigning, that is not fact. That was a misreading of the original release sent out. What the Pope was stating in that record was that he wondered when God would call him home, not that he contemplated resigning from his vocation.
To the very close, the Pope ministered to the world that age discrimination must never happen. It is not Christian. It is not moral. It should not be.
As he grew older, he continued. As infirmities weighed down upon him, he did what he could do in Jesus’ name. As he became weaker, he continued to move the temple of the Holy Spirit — his body — at the Lord’s guidance.
There are untold believers who suffer from age discrimination, even from their families and close friends. It seems that in some cultures when a person reaches a particular age, he’s not supposed to be useful any more. It’s taken for granted that he can’t think as alertly as the young. He can’t reason as sharply as they.
Sometimes the elderly are even made the butt of jokes. The young, who think they are going to be forever youthful, snicker and chuckle at some of the older folk. Of course, that’s simply a part of our being damaged as spiritually fallen creatures. But for those who think the matter through, it has to stop.
The Pope became crippled by his disease, yet he carried on. That reminds me of evangelist Billy Graham who continues preaching at crusades even though he suffers, is growing older, and shows it. These men of God know that they have only so much time left to do gospel work, so they set their energies at the maximum in the Holy Spirit’s bidding.
It is the same not only for the famous names, but all persons who claim Christ as Savior and Lord. They want to be valued and respected. They want to be thought of as contributing to others and the work of the community and church.
I watched Pope Paul John II as he grew more bent over and recalled when he was robust and vigorous in body. He was one of the best when it came to sports. He could ski like any other. He was up to hours upon hours of working and working some more. His labor was that love for Jesus, the Redeemer.
Of course, he knew he was growing older, like we all are. But he was ministering to the world that aging and becoming feeble was to be honored, regarded with esteem, not to be put down or derided. That was a part of his latter years’ ministry and it has proven to be a most valuable message to all ages.
I pray that the world gets that particular message.
For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>
Pope John Paul II grew older, more feeble, showing it, sharing his suffering with his audiences and yet never thinking of terminating his ministry.
Though reports came out in the press that in 2000 he considered resigning, that is not fact. That was a misreading of the original release sent out. What the Pope was stating in that record was that he wondered when God would call him home, not that he contemplated resigning from his vocation.
To the very close, the Pope ministered to the world that age discrimination must never happen. It is not Christian. It is not moral. It should not be.
As he grew older, he continued. As infirmities weighed down upon him, he did what he could do in Jesus’ name. As he became weaker, he continued to move the temple of the Holy Spirit — his body — at the Lord’s guidance.
There are untold believers who suffer from age discrimination, even from their families and close friends. It seems that in some cultures when a person reaches a particular age, he’s not supposed to be useful any more. It’s taken for granted that he can’t think as alertly as the young. He can’t reason as sharply as they.
Sometimes the elderly are even made the butt of jokes. The young, who think they are going to be forever youthful, snicker and chuckle at some of the older folk. Of course, that’s simply a part of our being damaged as spiritually fallen creatures. But for those who think the matter through, it has to stop.
The Pope became crippled by his disease, yet he carried on. That reminds me of evangelist Billy Graham who continues preaching at crusades even though he suffers, is growing older, and shows it. These men of God know that they have only so much time left to do gospel work, so they set their energies at the maximum in the Holy Spirit’s bidding.
It is the same not only for the famous names, but all persons who claim Christ as Savior and Lord. They want to be valued and respected. They want to be thought of as contributing to others and the work of the community and church.
I watched Pope Paul John II as he grew more bent over and recalled when he was robust and vigorous in body. He was one of the best when it came to sports. He could ski like any other. He was up to hours upon hours of working and working some more. His labor was that love for Jesus, the Redeemer.
Of course, he knew he was growing older, like we all are. But he was ministering to the world that aging and becoming feeble was to be honored, regarded with esteem, not to be put down or derided. That was a part of his latter years’ ministry and it has proven to be a most valuable message to all ages.
I pray that the world gets that particular message.
For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>
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