Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 / 1 Tim 1:12-17 / Luke 15:1-32
Our country has a unique way of categorizing the age groups, and especially that of the seniors. A citizen who is above the age of 60 is termed as a “senior”.
In that senior age group, are the “Pioneer” generation and the “Merdeka” generation. The percentage of seniors in Singapore is just below 20%. It means that one out of five Singaporeans is a senior.
There is a saying that a senior or an elder in the family is valued as a treasure. If so for the family, then it is so for a country.
So, is there anything that can be learned from these seniors? What are their contributions to society in their senior years?
If anything, it will be this, and that is: Listen to your elders’ advice. Not because they are always right, but because they have more experiences of being wrong.
Well, practically speaking, the seniors and the elders have crossed more bridges and eaten more salt, so some credit and respect must be given to them.
And the scriptures also tell us something about the seniors and elders, that they have a deeper and wiser view of life.
In the 1st reading, we heard how Moses pleaded for the people when God wanted to punish them for their disobedience and unfaithfulness.
Moses himself knew what it was to be exiled and persecuted, and he didn't want his people to go through that painful experience.
God heard his pleas, and God relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened.
That tells us that when the elders plead for mercy and forgiveness, God will listen to them.
In the gospel, the parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us many things, but the central figure in the parable is not so much the wayward son but the compassionate father.
The father sadly accepted the son’s leaving, but he also joyfully accepted the son’s return. The father also pleaded with the elder son to forgive his younger brother.
So, the scriptures tell us about the comforting and consoling cries of the elders for the nation and for the family.
So truly, God is teaching us to listen to our elders, because He can speak through them.
And on this Catholic Education Sunday, God is telling us, whether we are students or parents, to listen to the voice of the teachers, because He will speak through them.
Teachers don't only impart the three R's of education, which is reading, writing and arithmetic.
Teachers also want to impart the deeper aspects of the three R's of life, which is responsibility, respect and reverence.
Responsible teachers will also want to form their students to be responsible for their actions and to be responsible to others by doing what is good, right and loving.
Teachers want to instil respect in their students so that they will respect their parents and obey them, for that is the Commandment of God.
And teachers also want to form their students in the faith, so that they will have reverence for God and walk in the ways of the Lord.
So, teachers are not just about teaching the three R’s of Education. They also form the young in the three R’s of life, which is responsibility, respect and reverence.
Like the seniors and the elders, teachers may not be always right, but they surely have learned from the experiences of being wrong.
So let us listen to the seniors, the elders and the teachers. They stand together with Moses and father of the Prodigal Son to plead before God for the good of the people.
Let us listen to them because God can speak through them.
And when we listen to God, God will also listen to us.