Earning the Right to Share Wisdom
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”
We live in an age that worships youth. Blaming society for this high level of shallowness is easy but not beneficial or even accurate. Instead, we should reflect on why our culture is unwilling to affirm the wisdom and the blessed maturity of older age. I believe racism plays a huge part in the young not having appropriate respect for their elders. How can one respect elders who lived and often nurtured racial, sexual, and other forms of inequality? Yet almost all moments in history have wicked examples of injustice. If we followed the pattern of respect when earned, all societies in history would curse their elders.
In the book Sacred Fire, Ronald Rolheiser explains, “The human soul is like a fine wine that needs to ferment in various barrels as it ages and mellows.” Rolheiser continues, “Wisdom is generally learned in the crucible of struggle.” No matter how intelligent, the young do not have the life experience to access the variety of involvement from which to draw. Moreover, a long life does not mean that every older person has the expertise or the assessment skills to glean wisdom. Yet, experience provides a necessary step in the process of discernment.
The key to wisdom is learning to address the “crucible of struggle faithfully.” With each new challenge, we should learn to face the issues with less anxiety and more trust. Rolheiser reflects, “How is the soul mellowed within the crucible of struggle? We mature by the meeting life, just as God and nature designed it, and accepting there the invitations that beckon us even deeper into the heart of life itself.” Beckoning us deeper is necessary if we are to develop wisdom worthy of our influencing the young.
Today, rather than lament young adults, we older adults should recognize our responsibility to be heard so that we can share our wisdom. Pray for God not only to impart insight but find new ways for each elder to earn respect and share our learning and understanding. Then, when we do the hard work of developing knowledge and growing, others will be able to learn from us, especially if we call the Holy Spirit for assistance.
