By Olivia Obijiaku
Parents and elderly members of the society have been charged to show good example to the younger ones. Rev Fr. Patrick Atama gave this charge during the Mass he celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Tuesday November 12, 2024.
Leaning on the day’s first reading, Titus 2:1-8, 11-14, in which St Paul admonished older men and women to train the younger ones in the way of the Lord, the priest lamented that many older ones mislead those God has placed under their care.
“It is a privilege to be an old person.” The priest declared. “It is not a right. It is a privilege that God has kept you alive so that you can be example to others. But today, we observe that some old ones who are supposed to mentor the young ones no longer behave as such. Their lives are not a reflection of the age and life that God has given to them.”
“Nigeria is a perfect example of this. Some older people who are supposed to be the light are the ones destroying the future of the younger generation. So, we wonder where we are heading to. When they were young, life was not like that. But now that they are at the helm of affairs; now that they are supposed to make life better for those coming behind, they are making life so difficult the younger generation.”
Fr. Atama called on all Christians, young and old to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth wherever they find themselves. He told them to take stock of their lives so as to make the necessary adjustments.
