Fraternity-Testvériség, 1983 (61. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1983-01-01 / 1. szám
AS TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE... Why the Elderly? While reading the parable of the Last Judgment one can wonder, why the elderly were omitted from Christ’s list of the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick and prisoner. Was it because He died an untimely death at the age of 33, and had no idea what growing old was all about? But there were other life situations He did not actually experience. Though tempted, He never sinned, was not blind, deaf or paralyzed, etc. Yet no one ever had deeper compassion for such sufferers. Was it because old people do not qualify to disguise Christ when He appeals to our hearts for the service of love? Is there no human suffering involved in growing old which call for compassion? This explanation would not hold water either. It takes deep and genuine involvement with the persons and problems of old people to understand that they are NOT omitted from the parable in question. Actually Christ includes them in a unique, emphatic and most comprehensive way. It is not necessary to mention the old separately, because they are all the listed ones in one: the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick and prisoner. Literal hunger and thirst is not a rare phenomenon among old folks, especially in our youth oriented society. Yet even the well nourished elderly are starving and thirsting for attention, understanding, companionship, outlets for their talents, new hope, and most of all for love. Unfortunately, these commodities are in an ever diminishing supply with the passing years. They are also the strangers. Most of the time violently uprooted from their familiar environment, thrown into new life situations among unknown people with spinning heads and fearful hearts. No other age group or class in society is exposed so extensively and ruthlessly to human indignities as the elderly. They are stripped naked in many ways. Their weaknesses are made public, their infirmities are layed bare, and their emotions ridiculed. Physical sickness and old age consitute probably the only marriage not threatened by divorce. In most of the cases only death doth the partners depart. Yet this is the lesser problem. A hearbreakingly large number of them catch also mental, emotional and spiritual diseases in epidemic proportions. Old people are also prisoners. First they are locked up in their homes, then in their bedrooms, finally in their beds. Parallel to this progressive solitary confinement they become prisoners of their own bodies. If one has any doubt about that, please carefully read Ecclesiastes 12. These considerations are behind the humble ministry of the First Evangelical & Reformed Church of 8 McKeesport to the aged. We hear Christ’s word in the parable of the Last Judgment six times magnified in the case of the elderly. Each of them disguises Jesus Christ for us in six significant ways in one person at one time. We feel privileged to serve Him in this special wav. Why the Bethlen Home? Is not it hypocritical to translate our theology into practice in an A plus institution for the aged? In the Ligonier Bethlen Home conditions and care for the elderly are at the highest possible level. Can anybody add anything to the humanly possible best? Yes. There will always be a never completely fulfilled need for the warm, personal human touch of love, friendship and Christian fellowship even in the best institutions. Moreover, the high quality of care provided by the Home is not cheap. It is increasingly costly. Even the relatively modest financial contribution of small congregations may help to keep this high quality care intact. Probably the geographical proximity was the least of the factors which guided us to Ligonier. It was much more the spiritual proximity which attracted our hearts to the right place. We wished to be obedient and do good “expecially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10.) Finally, we tried to find “the least” among the people of the Home. Those who have no family, friends, or the relatives are far and/or unconcerned. Originally we adopted ten people. Through the years the number has grown to fifteen. They send us their (very modest) requests; gifts of love are wrapped, surprises included and off our group goes to visit them. They gather together in the Activity Room and wait for us with eager joy and expectation. Cheerful greetings are exchanged, hugs and kisses shared in large proportions. Meditation and prayer (both in English and Hungarian) preceed the distribution of our gifts. Then lively conversation follows seasoned with tears, laughter and picture taking. Next Sunday our visiting group gives report to the happy congregation. All the blessings we try to share are multiplied on us. This people-to-people personal contact made also our Bethlen Home Sundays more meaningful. Behind the uplifting sermons and reports of the Reverend Paul Kovács, Administrator, there are real people for us, who are personally loved and cared for. No wonder that the generosity of our congregation is overflowing. We are most grateful to have a small part in the glorious incarnation of Christ’s diakonia in the Bethlen Home among Hungarian Reformed Christians in the United States. Dr. Eva M Fabian (All rights reserved to use the theological material for other purposes.)
