Note to Self: Call Grandma & Thank Pope Francis

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:47 pm by Lisa M. Hendey

Note to Self: Call Grandma & Thank Pope Francis 2015-03-12T16:47:56-07:00 Lisa M. Hendey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Need a little kick in the pants today to remember that old adage, “Charity begins at home”?

Then read today’s first reading from 2 Maccabees and then watch the video summary of Pope Francis’ homily today:

In typically eloquent yet understandable fashion, our Holy Father reminds us of the importance of treating our elderly loved ones with compassion, dignity and respect:

Pope Francis began his homily by pointing to the example of Eleazar in the Book of Maccabees, an elderly teacher of the law who preferred martyrdom rather than betraying his faith. This man, observed the Pope, was steadfast in his faith and he rejected advice from his friends who urged him merely to pretend to eat a piece of pork in order to save his life. Instead of worrying about his own fate, Eleazar was thinking of the young people who would remember him and his act of courage.

Pope Francis went on to lament how nowadays we live in times when the elderly don’t count. It’s unpleasant to say it, but the elderly are put to one side because they are considered a nuisance. However, the Pope continued, old people are those who tell us the history of things, who carry forward the faith and give it to us to inherit.

To illustrate our treatment of old people, the Pope recalled a story he was told as a young child. He said there was a father, mother and their children and a grandfather. This grandfather got his face dirty when he ate soup which annoyed the father so he bought a separate table for the grandfather to eat at.. But one day the father returned home and saw one of his children playing with bits of wood and on asking his son what he was doing was told that he was building a table for Daddy to eat at when he became old.

And to cap it all off, we have today’s Tweet from @Pontifex. When I ponder the word “saint”, I immediately think of my grandparents. While they will never be formally canonized, they led lives of great faith and pointed the way to God by their examples. Unfortunately, in our hectic lives, we often forget to treasure them the way that we should.

The Saints were not superhuman. They were people who loved God in their hearts, and who shared this joy with others.

Note to self: Call grandma. Today.

A question for you: Does your family have regular interaction with an elderly loved one, fellow parishioner or neighbor?

Previous Post

November 15, 2013

Catholic Relief Services Launches Typhoon Haiyan Information Center

Next Post

November 19, 2013 Perspectives: Catholic News for 11/19/13

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category @Pontifex Books Catholic Geek Stuff Catholic Moments Family Life Good Measures Liturgical Calendar New Evangelization News Reviews Rwanda Saints Speaking Tanzania Journal Top Catholic Tweets Travel Uncategorized Vocations Yes

Select a Month August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which prophet confronted King Ahab about his sins?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Elisha Jeremiah Ezekiel Elijah