World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Pope Francis has chosen to theme this year, ‘Do not cast me off in my old age’ (c.f. Ps 71:9). God never abandons his children, never. Even when our age advances and our powers decline, when our hair grows white and our role in society lessens, when our lives become less productive and can risk    appearing useless. God does not regard appearances (cf. 1 Sam 16:7); he does not disdain to choose those who, to many people, may seem irrelevant. God discards no stone; indeed, the “oldest” are the firm foundation on which “new” stones can rest, in order to join in erecting a spiritual edifice (cf. 1 Peter 2:5). This is close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. Please remember all Grandparents in your prayers.