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March 5th -- Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
For expectant mothers and fathers,
that the life they carry to birth
might be nourished by the warmth of their love;
we pray to the Lord:
March 12th -- First Sunday of Lent
For those who await death in our prisons,
that God might move their hearts with mercy,
and move the hearts of our nation with compassion;
we pray to the Lord:
March 19th -- Second Sunday of Lent
For all who have grown old and sick,
that we might treasure the gift of their infirmity,
accepting the limitations of life
and embracing the will of God alone;
we pray to the Lord:
March 26th -- Third Sunday of Lent
For all who are tempted to abort their child,
that God might teach us how to love them,
and to nurture all life from birth to natural death;
we pray to the Lord:
"There is an urgent need to recover a correct perspective on life as a whole. The correct perspective is that of eternity, for which life at every phase is a meaningful preparation. Old age too has a proper role to play in this process of gradual maturing along the path to eternity. And this process of maturing cannot but benefit the larger society of which the elderly person is a part.
Elderly people help us to see human affairs with greater wisdom, because life's vicissitudes have brought them knowledge and maturity. They are the guardians of our collective memory, and thus the privileged interpreters of that body of ideals and common values which support and guide life in society. To exclude the elderly is in a sense to deny the past, in which the present is firmly rooted, in the name of a modernity without memory. Precisely because of their mature experience, the elderly are able to offer young people precious advice and guidance."
Bulletin Briefs
Elderly people help us to see human affairs with greater wisdom, because life's vicissitudes have brought them knowledge and maturity. They are the guardians of our collective memory, and thus privileged interpreters of that body of ideals and common values which support and guide life in society. ... Precisely because of their mature experience, the elderly are able to offer young people precious advice and guidance.
Unfortunately, in recent years the idea of euthanasia has lost for many people the sense of horror which it naturally awakens in those who have a sense of respect for life. Certainly it can happen that, when grave illness involves unbearable suffering, the sick are tempted to despair and their loved ones or those responsible for their care fell compelled by a misguided compassion to consider the solution of "an easy death" as something reasonable. ... But euthanasia, understood as directly causing death, is another thing entirely. Regardless of intentions and circumstances, euthanasia is always an intrinsically evil act, a violation of God's law and an offense against the dignity of the human person.
Honoring older people involves a threefold duty: welcoming them, helping them and making good use of their qualities. ... There must be a growing conviction that a fully human civilization shows respect and love for the elderly, so that despite their diminishing strength they feel a vital part of society. ... "The burden of age is lighter for those who feel respected and loved by the young."
Faith illuminates the mystery of death and brings serenity to old age. ... These are years to be lived with a sense of trusting abandonment into the hands of God, our provident and merciful Father.