"Cardinal Scola's book is introduced by Pope Francis as a fresh commencement through death"
Gripping Thoughts
I devoured these pages with a mix of emotion and intrigue, primarily stirred by the warm sentiments and intimate insights of Angelo Scola—a respected cleric, who has graced the Church with significant roles, like the rector of the Pontifical University Lateranense, patriarch of Venice, and archbishop of Milan.
First and foremost, let me express my heartfelt gratitude for this soul-stirring reflection that masterfully blends personal experiences with cultural sensitivity. This unique blend illuminates each other, resulting in a beautifully meaningful interplay. Life and culture bloom with newfound beauty here.
Don't let the compact size of this book deceive you: it's packed with thought-provoking musings that demand careful reading—and re-reading. From Angelo Scola's profound reflections, I found several points that resonate profoundly with the wisdom I've gathered through my own experiences.
Scola speaks candidly about his own old age, which he refers to with disarming familiarity as something that "caught me unawares, striking me with an unexpected vigor in many ways." I find a strong connection in the way he uses the term "old," as it strongly echoes my own feelings. Aging isn't something to fear, it's something to be embraced, because life, at any stage, is precious and demands to be appreciated for its raw truth.
To reinstate dignity to a term that is all too often considered negative is a generous gift from Cardinal Scola. To say "old" doesn't signal disposability, as a consumerist society might imply. Instead, it signifies a wealth of experience, wisdom, sagacity, discernment, patience, and listening—qualities that our world and its rapidly spinning priorities desperately need.
Sadly, advanced years are inevitable, but that's not the problem. The issue is how one approaches growing older. If one approaches this season of life with grace, not resentment; if one accepts the time when our physical capabilities begin to wane, the body tires more, and reflexes aren't as sharp as in our youth, with gratitude and a sense of understanding, then aging itself becomes an opportunity for growth. Romano Guardini once explained this concept beautifully: even in old age, life remains fertile and capable of emitting warmth and goodness.
Scola sheds light on the human and social value of grandparents. I've often stressed the importance of grandparents in shaping young minds and fostering a more harmonious society. Their guidance, encouragement, and wisdom can instill in the young a long-term view, a respect for tradition, and a connection to timeless values. In a world that's often swept up in the whirlwind of the new and the temporary, the wisdom of grandparents offers a comforting beacon that illuminates uncertainty and serves as a guiding light for young ones—enabling them to make the most meaningful decisions in their daily lives.
Scola's insights on the theme of suffering, a common experience amongst the elderly, are profound and uplifting. His reflections on physical decline and mortality poignantly demonstrate how spiritual devotion can deepen faith and provide hope.
One can sense echoes of the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar and Joseph Ratzinger, a theology deeply rooted in prayer and dialogue with the divine, in the arguments of this esteemed bishop. Felix Muller, in his review of the book, noted, "Scola’s writing is pervaded by a clear desire to find meaning, theologically and existentially, in old age."
These pages contain "thoughts and affection"—not just contemplations, but also emotions—of Cardinal Scola. As Christianity emphasizes the significance of the affective dimension—emotions, in other words—these reflections strike a resonant chord. Christianity is not merely an intellectual pursuit; it's an affection for a person—Christ, who came to meet us and chose to call us friends.
The very conclusion of these pages by Angelo Scola offers a comforting assurance: death is not the end, but the beginning. Eternal life, which those who love already experience in their daily lives, is a new beginning. It's a new commencement, as the title suggests, since eternal existence foreshadows something that we've never fully experienced: eternity.
With these pages in hand, I would, in my dreams, like to repeat the same act I performed when I first assumed the role of Pope, in the Sistine Chapel: to embrace my esteemed colleague, Angelo, with great admiration and affection, as I did on that fateful March day in 2013. But always united by gratitude towards this loving God, who offers us life and hope at every stage of our existence.
- Angelo Scola's book, a beacon of thought-provoking musings, is not limited by its size, as it demands careful rereading to fully appreciate the wisdom contained within.
- Aging, according to Cardinal Scola, is a phase of life that should be embraced and not feared, for it offers opportunities for growth, mirroring my own sentiments.
- The wisdom of grandparents, eloquently highlighted by Scola, plays a crucial role in shaping young minds and fostering harmony, as their guidance instills long-term perspective, respect for tradition, and connection to timeless values.
- Scola's reflections on suffering in old age reveal profound insights, demonstrating how spiritual devotion can deepen faith, provide hope, and make eternal life, the new beginning promised to us, more tangible.
