“Learning to take leave” is a sign of the “wisdom of the ancients”, says the pope

Every Christian must find a way to follow the way of Jesus, “even in the limited conditions of weakness and old age”explained Pope Francis during the general audience of June 22, 2022, held in St. Peter’s Square.

A few hours before the opening of the World Meeting of Families, the pope seemed to have regained better mobility, managing to reach his seat by walking.

For this last Wednesday catechesis before the summer break, Pope Francis returned to “the conversation between the risen Jesus and Peter at the end of the Gospel of John”emphasizing in particular the tonality “direct, strong, free and open” of this dialogue, which goes against the watered down spirituality in which Christians sometimes try to approach Jesus in a “veneration of circumstance”.

The pope referred to Jesus’ warning to Peter, in which Christ says to him, in essence: “When you were young, you were self-sufficient, when you are old, you will no longer be so much in control of yourself and your life”explained the 85-year-old pontiff, referring to the arrival of diseases linked to old age.

But this dimension of old age is an integral part of Christian life: “This weakness will also accompany your testimony”. The pope departed from his text by evoking a piece of advice from Saint Ignatius of Loyola, who considered that the testimony of a “follower of Jesus” expresses itself through life and death.

Jesus says this clearly to Peter, explaining to him, according to the interpretation given by the pope: “Those who follow you will have to learn to let themselves be instructed and molded by your fragility, your impotence, your dependence on others, even to dress yourself, your way of walking. But you, follow me. This arrest is not linked to a criterion of physical vigor. We must always follow Jesus, whether we are “in good or bad health”we walk “slowly or quickly”.

“This conversation between Jesus and Peter contains a valuable lesson for all disciples, for all believers, and also for all the elderly”explained the pope. “The conditions of a life largely entrusted to others, largely dependent on the initiative of others” are an occasion of humility which allows us to verify the coherence of a life of faith, the pontiff specified.

Do not be afraid to give way to young people

When Peter is worried about seeing another disciple take his place, Jesus answers him firmly: “What can it do to you?” You, follow me ». The pope explained that this response from Jesus is a lesson to be learned “when we take care of the lives of others”.

“Old people should not be jealous of young people who follow in their footsteps, who occupy their place, who outlive them”explained the pope, in a period marked by serious misunderstandings between the generations, including within the ecclesial world. “The honor of their fidelity as elders to sworn love, of their fidelity to following the faith in which they believed, even in the conditions which bring them closer to the end of their life, is a source of admiration for the generations to come and a sign of great gratitude from the Lord”underlined the pope.

“Learning to take time off”and to “leave with joy” is also a sign of “wisdom of the ancients”added the pontiff, wishing that they manage to keep the faith by looking at the path traveled with serenity, saying to themselves: “I have lived, I have been a sinner, but I have also done good”. “Even the emotional contemplation and wondering hearing of the word of the Lord can become the best part of a passive disciple’s life, for it can never be taken away from him”explained the pope.

“Let’s look and listen to our elders” so that they may “give us what is beautiful and good about them”concluded Pope Francis, also inviting “look at the young” with confidence, because “They will follow what we show them”.

I.Media Agency

“Learning to take leave” is a sign of the “wisdom of the ancients”, says the pope