FAITH MATTERS:
Growing old is mandatory. That doesn’t mean we have to experience it without faith and hope.
In God’s wisdom, as we grow older, the beauty we may lose outwardly is often replaced by a greater beauty within.
September 26, 2026
By Bishop Gerard Bergie
Contributing Columnist
Walt Disney once remarked that growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.
This is not a surprising statement from the man who created Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Growing older is an inevitable part of life.
As we age, the many changes we experience can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Physical decline, health challenges, major life transitions, emotional losses, and other difficulties can leave us feeling discouraged and cause us to lose hope.
Pope Benedict wrote an encyclical in 2007 entitled “Spe Salvi” (“Saved in Hope”). In this document, we are reminded that, when we encounter Christ, we are changed forever and filled with hope.
He states: “What Jesus brought was not a message of social revolution. Jesus brought something totally different: an encounter with the Lord of all lords, an encounter with the living God and thus an encounter with a hope stronger than suffering.” (“Spe Salvi,” pg. 4)
For Pope Benedict, Christianity is not about a system of rules or doctrine. It is an encounter with Jesus Christ. When this happens, lives are changed.
For Christians, this journey of transformation began at baptism when we were washed clean of the stain of original sin and became a new creation in Christ.
Baptism marks the beginning of our walk with Christ, not the end of it. Once we grow and mature in life, we often discover how easily the influences of the world can compete for our attention, shaping our thoughts, values, and desires more than Jesus.
The pressures and distractions of life can cause us to take our eyes off Jesus. As we drift away from Him, we can easily feel burdened and overwhelmed.
The world often measures a person’s worth by their economic productivity, physical strength and independence. When these things naturally change with age, society can subtly signal that you are a liability. It is often a utilitarian to approach to life.
People can be made to feel that they are useless and a burden, especially as they age.
Jesus helps us to be at peace with ourselves despite our limitations. He shows us that we are not useless or a burden because He uses us in so many ways depending on our circumstances. Jesus also helps us to see our true inner beauty.
This should give us hope.
St. Paul speaks of this when he states, “So, we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)
In God’s wisdom, as we grow older, the beauty we may lose outwardly is often replaced by a greater beauty within. While we become more deeply conformed to Christ, we begin to reflect His beauty in our lives.
This is what we mean when we speak of holiness. The more we radiate the presence of Jesus, the holier we become, and the more we are able to touch and transform the lives of others.
The challenge is to keep our focus on Jesus. Each day, we need to take time to be present to Him in prayer, not only speaking to Him, but also listening with open hearts.
In those moments, He reminds us how precious we are in God’s eyes. He assures us that we are never alone and that we are deeply loved. Most importantly, Jesus encourages us to make Him present to others through the wisdom, experience and grace that come with age.
Ultimately, this perspective helps us face the challenges of aging with optimism, creativity and hope.
Growing old is mandatory; however, we trust that God continues to shape us into the people we were created to be.