The Fountain of Youth
Suggested Bible ReadingNow there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed–and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.-Luke 2:25-38 (NRSV)
Joshua was old and advanced in years; and the Lord said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land still remains to be possessed.”-Joshua 13:1 (NRSV)WE older folks can learn from the message that the Lord spoke to Joshua: Yes, you are old, but you have much to do yet. Often what we need to do is obvious, right in front of us.
It may also be obvious to others. Why don’t we older people take on these tasks? Hasn’t God planned something for us? The Bible shows us more than once that God uses older people. When God revealed that Isaac would be born, Sarah was 90 and Abraham 100 years old. Moses was 80 when he led the Israelites out of Egypt. Anna, in the New Testament, was 84 when she witnessed to others that the newborn Jesus was the Messiah.God is the source of the courage and strength we need for the tasks that lie before us, even though we may think we are too old or too young or “too” something else. God sees us and is the Lord of all our years. Is God not permitted to count our years differently than we count them? God sees in us much ability to serve, no matter what our age.Ugo Gastaldi (Lombardia, Italy)
PrayerTeach us, Lord, not to fear our age but to look to you for strength to serve no matter how old or how young we are. Amen.
I love to talk about Jesus and the full life He calls us to