This is week 1 of our study using the book Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life by Jane Marie Thibault and Richard L. Morgan.
For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. – Philippians 1:21
With this gateway, the authors look age “straight in the face,” as Jane says on page 17. They remind us that the later years can be unpredictable and fraught with limitations. Even so, when we walk these years as pilgrims, we can be open to discoveries we didn’t expect. We can rejoice that in these years we are given the time and space to invite God into our lives in ways that we didn’t have in our earlier years.
We invite you to read the authors’ reflections at a measured pace and use the questions below for your own reflections.
On page 15, Jane discusses seven aspects of being a pilgrim in the last third of life. Do you agree with her assessment? Would you add anything to the list?
Jane differentiates between “self-esteem” and “self-respect” on page 18, noting that the former comes from accomplishing what society expects of us. If you are retired, do you find you miss the sense of accomplishment you gained from your career? How are you handling that?
Jane mentions the Jewish birthday blessing of “May you live to be 120” on page 19. Think about some of the older adults in your life. Whom do you admire? Why?
Jane mentions “dying well” on page 20. What does that mean to you? How could you “die well”?
Both Jane and Richard are clear that this pilgrimage will end in our death. What do you think you need to do to prepare for that?
In his reflection beginning on page 22, Richard invites us to “Affirm Your Age.” What do you find are the rewards of being whatever age you are right now, even in spite of the limitations? How would explain it to your grandchildren or other younger person?
Richard focuses on death in his reflections, even inviting us to “practice dying.” What does he mean by that? What does it mean to you?
Back to introduction to the study where you will find links to each gateway.
The Wisdom Years 