Duchowo-moralne wyzwania starości
THE SPIRITUAL AND MORAL CHALLENGES OF SENECTITUDE

Summary/Abstract: The Christian approaching his old age faces yet another spiritual and moral challenge, just as he did throughout his life. His first moral task at this stage of life is to accept his advanced age and come to terms with the physical and psychological consequences of it. The research presented here indicates that only one driven by his religious faith and sustained by the hope of eternal life may sincerely accept his old age and inevitable death. This is because his Christian faith tells him that his death does not end anything, but opens him up to the everlasting communion with God. Another important moral challenge in man’s advanced years is putting his priorities right. He must shake off his egocentrism and all obstacles to his human and Christian development so that he can reach an internal autonomy. His conviction of God being at his side and watching over him may ease his spiritual tension and prepare for the ultimate end of his earthly sojourn not as something to be feared, but rather longed for: a passover, after which he would surely meet his beloved Maker. In his advanced age, with all its infirmities and helplessness, the Christian may be the bearer of hope to others by showing them that life, no matter how difficult and full of suffering, is worth living to the full of its natural end.

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