Thursday, 5th Week of Easter

Psalm 71

The psalmist we hear today is “old and gray-headed,” (v.18), and perhaps is facing the same problems that the elderly face today: increasing infirmity, a sense that the rest of the world is running past them, fear of how they will be cared for, and a desire to preserve as much independence as they can.

What keeps our psalmist going? What sustains him or her? A wisdom that takes a lifetime to gain: “I have been sustained by you ever since I was born; from my mother’s womb you have been my strength; my praise shall be always of you” (v.6). Here is the realization that one wishes the young, full of life and strength and self-confidence, would get sooner rather than later: our strength is not our own, it is a gift from the God who made us and who loves us.

Perhaps it is only when we are at the end of our rope, and all our efforts to comfort ourselves have been exhausted, that we can say to God, “You strengthen more and more; you enfold and comfort me” (v.21). As we consider the gifts our senior citizens have to offer us today, let us pray for our brothers and sisters in the words of this prayer from the Prayer Book:

Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all whose increasing years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and, as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.