The Gift of Years 2
Stacy Ikard & Phil Hagg

The Gift of Years 2

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The Gift of Years 2 - The Text

The Gift of Years
The Art of Loving

The Seasons of Life

Dark Night of the Senses

Proficiency

Dark Night of the Spirit

Struggle to Get Our Lives Together

Struggle to Give Our Lives Away

Struggle to Age Gracefully and Give Our Death Away

Hungry Child

Nurturing Adult

Blessing Elder

Work of Later Years

What transitions are needed

    v From resentment to gratitude

   v From bitterness to forgiveness

David Brooks – The Second Mountain

The First Mountain, which is our journey into midlife and maturity, is often focused on individualism, personal happiness, independence, autonomy, taking charge, developing a career, accomplishments, self-interest, buying and selling, taking care of yourself, keeping your options open, and finding yourself. The Second Mountain, which is the task of midlife and beyond, by contrast, needs to be focused on meaning, on moral joy, on interdependence, on relationships, on listening, on re-enchanting our perception of things, on acts of love that take us beyond self-interest, on loving others, on making commitments and keeping them, and on giving oneself away. As we age and move into the second half of our lives, Brooks suggests …What is best in our DNA invites us to move from suffering to wisdom to service

“At a certain point in our lives the question is no longer: what can I still do so that my life makes a contribution?" Rather it becomes: how can I live now so that my death will be an optimal blessing to my family, the church, and the world… the central question should not be, how much time still remains? but rather, how can I prepare now so that my dying will be a new way for me to leave a warm, nurturing, and blessing spirit behind for those who have loved me and whom I have loved?”

Jesus and The Sermon on the Mount

5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

7:12 “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

The Prayer of  St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Henri Nouwen Daily Examen

1.“Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment?

2. Did I forgive? Did I love?

3. These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.”