Wednesday, April 2, 2014

VICISSITUDES OF LIFE

From My Perspective - - -

The English language makes use of clichés, nuance, figures of speech and catchy phrases. Most people have either heard or used the expression: “The more things change the more they remain the same.” In the same way, most are familiar with an expression referring to the success or failure factors that states: “The pendulum swings in both directions.” The word vicissitude is a term not often used but the impact of it is often experienced. The Dictionary states: “The word vicissitude is basically used to mean a change of prevailing situations or fortune; in most cases one that is not good.” The literal definition given is: “a change or variation occurring in the course of something; successive, alternating or changing phases or conditions, as of life or fortune; ups and downs; regular change or succession of one state or thing to another.” The Dictionary.com illustrated use of the word in a sentence is: “Permanent assets have undergone many vicissitudes in America.” Another is: “Mother has remained my best friend (or encourager) in the vicissitudes of all the years of my life.”

No one can deny or escape the reality of change and mutability. Age and aging reminds of these changes as they slowly, but dramatically, appear as part of one’s personal reality and experience. Within the various historic cultural values of the world in which we live, there is a wide range of attitude and application. Some cultures (usually Oriental) revere and respect the older members, whereas other cultures see the elderly as a burden to society and represented by individuals who are no longer a positive asset to the contemporary world. It allows thoughts and possibilities of “death panels” that can determine a person’s quality of life, as well as the merits of euthanasia to ease the discomforts of the elderly. World War II had a component that sought to develop a “master-race” and experiments were conducted to that end. Today, most have probably forgotten Josef Mengele, known as Angel of Death and Dr. Death. His “experiments” on twins and gypsy children are too hideous to mention. For him, the elderly who were no longer capable of productive labor were expendable and usually consigned to the gas chambers.

An interesting study entitled: “Biblical Perspectives on Aging: God and the Elderly authored by Judith E. Moffett, RN, BC, MS, was published in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing, July 2008 - Volume 34 · Issue 7: 56. A reviewer states that this “…is a scholarly work that adds the biblical studies approach to the knowledge base on aging…The author states in the introduction that: the Bible does not directly advise elders about old age or attack ageist stereotypes. It speaks in stories, poetry, and character studies. The materials address aging in indirect ways. Readers generally interpret biblical passages according to their own assumptions or operating paradigm. Hence, each reader of the Bible must analyze his or her own assumptions and pre-understandings while examining the “story” to understand the biblical message on aging.” Reference is made to the description of the elderly in terms of “stages or seasons of life, with roles changing as individuals age.” A Biblical text referenced is Leviticus 27:1-8 in terms of valuations of persons in different age groups. A summary statement in verse 2 states:Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: If anyone makes a special vow to the Lord involving the valuation of persons…”

There are other references one should consider pertaining to the aged ones, such as Leviticus 19 “Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father” (Vs. 3), and “"You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord” (Vs. 32). In Proverbs 16:31 we read, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” A reminder of the faithfulness of God toward the aged is stated in Isaiah 46:3-4, “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” Another reminder of the faithfulness of God is shared in a testimony given by David in Psalm 37:23-26, “The steps of a (good) man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.” Amid the vicissitudes of our lives, consider these things with me.

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