Guidance for 89 years of age.

Guidance for 89 years of age.

In a previous year’s reflection on the daily office with the Gospel of Luke I noted that Luke takes his concern and the concern of Jesus for the poor right to the final hours of Jesus ministry. We had the Zacchius story in chapter 19, where as a follower of Christ he will share his wealth with the poor, and now as Jesus is teaching in the temple in his last days he observes the widow’s mite, she is giving far more in proportion than those with the means to give more. Her witness is in chapter 21. In chapter 22 Jesus will be arrested and the trial will begin.

At age 89 I admit that I am in the final years of my life, and with two adults, a son and a daughter, with severe mental illnesses requiring a residential 24/7 and a long term care facility at present, I am going to take my concern for the mentally ill into the final years of my life. 

In this time of the last days Jesus uses the Greek present imperatives of continuous, know continuously, take heed continuously, and watch continuously. Other translations are be on guard and be alert, equally important continuous nuances for our here and now time as Jesus talks about the destruction of Jerusalem. 

Greek verbs instruct us on how to act in the present, continuously. I trust each reader and listener will identify a continuous activity to be lived out fully for the good of all.

I encourage the reading of chapters 21 and 22 in Luke's Gospel for your guidance as well.

May God’s blessing go with you.

Marlin Whitmer