Sometimes I hear comments made by older generations that seem to be completely out of touch with public discourse and borderline sinful (or maybe not so borderline). These comments may be political, racial, or just simply an ill-advised attempt at humor (my attempts at humor are also ill-advised, but probably because I try too hard). In many instances these comments/opinions are critical towards an opposing view or group of people. As a man in his early thirties, I have heard these comments coming from both sides of the aisle in various forms of life. I do not usually get offended or outraged by these comments, but I do sometimes wonder why these comments are made. While there is not a one size fits all answer, I often attribute the reason to simply: The person is old, and they do not want to take the time to try and understand an opposing point of view because that would mean change.
I recognize this is a simplistic viewpoint to take, and I would be naive to think that whenever I reach a certain age, the younger generation might not think the same thing about my comments. But what I and people like me have to remember is that change is hard, thus we need to be merciful in our judgments. Most if not all of us do not like change. Yet, because of the nature of the material world, change is unavoidable. The universe is in motion and motion means change. The only One who does not change is the One who puts the universe into motion.
So why did He who does not change give us the ability to change? So that we could be raised up to be with Him. We are lowly creatures – dust in a gigantic universe. Yet God initially changes us by giving us His life, and revealing Himself to us. He made us very good, but He was not done. Even after we sinned, God grants us mercy through the opportunity of change to not only be with Him. But to be in Him – taking on His divinity through sacramental entrance into His Body.
What a great opportunity! But why do we not all take advantage? Because change is hard. It often hurts. Since the very beginning, we have shied away from things that hurt (rightly so). But if we do so at the detriment of our relationship with God, then we will eventually receive a much greater pain of separation from God.
As we get older, change gets harder. This is a psychological fact for most people. I imagine that this is because our wealth of lived experience has narrowed our viewpoint (which again is fitting). Yet, if we allow our narrow views to limit the power of the Holy Spirit in our life, then we have failed. This is why Jesus tells us that we need to be like little children to receive the Kingdom of Heaven. Yes we need to be innocent like children, and yes we need to trust God like children trust their parents. But we must also be as formable as children, allowing God to change our fallen nature. This is hard, and dare I say – annoying and even painful. Yet, God allows change to happen because He is still creating, making all things new.
So we all need to remember that the older we get, the more we have to be careful of accepting the change of God. The communion of saints all had to be open to change, which they accepted by the end of their lives. Mary, the greatest disciple, had many instances of change that defined her willingness to be the handmaid of the Lord (and we only know about the ones that have been written down!). Thus, we must follow in the footsteps of her and all the saints and do the same. We must embrace change as Jesus embraces His cross. Because when we get to Heaven in Him, there will be no more change. Just us in the state of eternal life that we were when we ended our time of purification (on earth or in purgatory). And I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be in heaven as a cranky old man.
