PILGRIMAGE INTO THE LAST THIRD OF LIFE

7 GATEWAYS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Facillitated by Rev. Brian McCaffrey, Chaplain at LutheranCare in Clinton, NY

Sponsored byThe Northeast Forum on Spirituality & Aging

An the Older Adult Ministry Team of the Upstate Conference of the United Methodist Church

 

WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

IN THE GARDEN

A RETREAT IS EDUCATIONAL

“Because of the vast differences in the way people age, this book

attempts to address the spiritual concerns of both the

hale and the frail, whatever the chronological age.” p.10

Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life: 7 Gateways to Spiritual Growth 

by Jane Marie Thibault and Richard L Morgan; published by Upper Room, 2012

Thibault and Morgan have written short meditations on some of the best ways they have

found to know, love, serve, and enjoy God and one another in the last third of life.

They have broken their book into 7 gateways. Each gateway leads us into a broad garden of both familiar and less common blooms.

Rose

Rosa rubiginosa

its

Shakespeare tells us that, “a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet” (Romeo and Juliet).

But Jesus suggests that beyond its own specific reality that anything may be used as a source of insight into the grace of God; we can look to the birds of the air and to the lilies of the field(Luke 12:27).

Playfully they ask,

“What Would An Old Jesus Do?”

“have this mind among

you”

WE ARE TO OPEN OURSELVES

A RETREAT IS A TIME SET APART

½ hour period for 7 weeks

7 GATEWAYS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTHDECEMBER 4TH : Facing Aging and

DeathDECEMBER 11TH : Living with Limitations DECEMBER 18TH : Doing Inner WorkJANUARY 8TH : Living In and Out of

CommunityJANUARY 15TH : Prayer and

ContemplationJANUARY 22ND : Redeeming Loss and

SufferingJANUARY 29TH : Leaving a Legacy

A RETREAT IS OFTEN A TIME OF PRAYER

All Gracious God, You have given me all that I am and have,and now I give it back to You to stand under Your will alone.In a special way I give You these later years of my life.I am one of those called by you into old age,a call not given to all,not given to Jesus,not given to most of our world today.

I humbly ask You, grace me deeply in each aspect of this new chapter in my life.As my physical eyesight weakens,may the eyes of my faith strengthen, that I may see Youand Your love in everything.As my hearing fails, may the ears of my heart be more attentive to the whisper of Yourgentle voice.As my legs weaken and walking becomes more difficult,may I walk more truly in Your paths, knowing all the while that I am heldin the embrace of Your love.

As my mind becomes less alert and memory fadesmay I remain peaceful with You, aware that with You there is no need for thought or word. You ask simply that I be there, with You. And should sickness overtake me and I be confined to bed,may I know myself as one with your Son and he offers his life forthe salvation of the world.

Finally, as my heart slows a little after the work of the years,may it expand in love for you and all people.May it rest secure and gratefulin Your loving Heartuntil I am lost in You,completely and forever. AmenA Prayer for Later Years by Sr. Moya Hanlen, FDNFC

A RETREAT ISSILENCE

REFLECTION UPON THE INNER LIFE

IN THE GARDENI come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear ringing in my ear the Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me and He talks with me and he tells me I am his ownAnd the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known.

JOURNEY vs PILGRIMAGE

JOURNEY – “The act of going from one place

to another”

X XFrom point To point

A B

PILGRIMAGE “a journey of great

moral or spiritual significance…

a life of meaningful intent and spiritual intensity,

a far more vital way of looking at the experience

of the Last Third of Life.” p.14

GATEWAY 1FACING AGING

AND DEATH

For to me, living is Christ and dying is

gain.Philippians 1:11

1. THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT HAVE BEEN THE SOURCES OF YOUR SELF-ESTEEM?H0W CAN YOU ENJOY THE DIGNITY OF SELF-RESPECT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, NO MATTER WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS?

2. DOES BEING A CHRISTIAN ENABLE YOU TO FIND MEANING AND PURPOSE AND JOY EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO CONTOL OVER YOUR DAILY LIFE?

IF YOU HAVE ANSWERED NO TO THE ABOVE QUESTION, WHAT WOULD HELP YOU EXPERIENCE JESUS AS GOOD NEWS UNTIL THE DAY YOU DIE? WHAT DO YOU THINK AN OLD FRAIL JESUS WOULD DO?

LONG LIFE IS NOT ENOUGH P.34 by Richard

1. Do you want to live to be 100? Why or Why Not?

2. In your minds eye name a composite of helpful older adult role models. Name the persons and list the qualities and attitudes that make them your mentors

A SPIRITUAL RESPONSE TO FEAR IS:PRAYER – HELP!!CONSCIOUSNESS – I AM AFRAIDWHY DOES THAT MAKE ME AFRAID? –

What were my hopes / expectationsARE MY EXPECTATIONS REALISTIC?TIME TO PRAY AGAIN

= God what is realistic? Where is HOPE

ADAPTATION – GETTING REAL ACCEPTANCE

WHAT HAS BEEN ADDED TO OUR LIFE WITH AGE?

TIME FOR A PRAYER OF GRATITUDE

TIME IS REQUIRED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEPTH

AND TIME CAN PRODUCE AWE INSPIRING BEAUTY

1. AS YOU GROW OLDER, DO YOU FIND YOURSELF THINKING MORE OR LESS ABOUT YOUR DEATH? EXPLAIN.2. WRITE OUT YOUR WISHES FOR YOU’RE YOUR DEATH, ANSWERING QUESTIONS LIKE THESE: A. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU

DIE? B. WHOM DO YOU WANT WITH YOU WHEN

YOU DIE? C. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR MUSIC

PREFERENCE WHEN YOU DIE? D. DESCRIBE OTHER WISHES. (YOU MIGHT

WANT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, INCLUDE THEM WITH YOUR LIVING WILL, MEMORIAL OR FUNERAL PLANS.)