KERLIN: The autumn of our lives

Photo: Eric Witsoe/UnsplashAutumn is a season of change — quiet transition and reflection. As the sun sets earlier and grows more golden and leaves change color and fall, we are reminded of the autumn of our own lives — the time when youthful energy begins to soften into wisdom, and external ambitions give way to inner contemplation.

This season invites us inward, to tend to the soul’s inner garden. As we slow down and reflect, we are invited into deeper communion with God, trusting in His transforming work within us. In embracing autumn, we find beauty in letting go and strength in stillness, making space for the Spirit’s gentle renewal.

In a digital age, when everything happens so quickly, almost instantaneously, autumn reminds us of “natural” time, the time of seasons and day and night. Much to our dismay, many of the difficult things in our lives, such as injury, sickness and grief, move slowly in natural time. It is in these times that, if we accept the invitation, we can be drawn deeper into our spiritual journey and relationship with God. Moving from doing into a place of being is a rite of passage into the elder years of our lives.

Our Catholic faith embraces the blessing of growing older. Aging is truly a blessing of years. The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, in their document “The Blessings of Age,” say it this way, “We reiterate that aging is a gift to the entire faith community. When that community reflects the contributions of all — the old as well as the young — it will truly proclaim the ageless Christ present among us.”

Our pope, Leo XIV, at World Day for the Elderly and Grandparents this year, said it this way: “The life of the Church and the world can only be understood in light of the passage of generations. Embracing the elderly helps us to understand that life is more than just the present moment.”

And before him, St. John Paul II wrote, “Arriving at an older age is to be considered a privilege: not simply because not everyone has the good fortune to reach this stage in life, but also, and above all, because this period provides real possibilities for better evaluating the past, for knowing and living more deeply the Paschal Mystery, for becoming an example in the Church for the whole people of God.”

And Scripture, in Isaiah 46:4, tells us: “Even to your old age I am He, even when you turn gray I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”

As seasoned adults, may we embrace this season, the autumn of our lives, as a spiritual journey, a time to grow closer to our God in the fullness of life until we meet God face to face in our true homeland of heaven. 

May we all create a community of love where our elders are seen and heard, valued and loved.

Kristine Kerlin is the director of the Office of Aging Ministry.