Scripture and Agism: Any Refuting Passages?

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hvadney

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Peace and Blessings!

I’ve posted this request on the Scripture forum but since it may also reasonably be considered a social justice topic (in terms of age discrimination), I’d like to post it here, too. I wonder if anyone can help me with some Scriptural passages that refute age as being an obstacle to doing God’s work. There are several well-known passages that show that *youth *is not an impediment (cf. 1 Sam 3:1-18, 1 Sam 16:1-13, Jer 1:4-10, Lk 1:26-38, etc.) but I need some passages that support the thesis that maturity or advanced age is also no impediment to doing God’s work. I’d like a balanced approach to my arguments so I need to cover both ends of the spectrum, as it were.

Many thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Please also feel free to contact me at hvadney@mhcable.com if you’d like to discuss my request personally.

Harold
 
In the meantime, I have received about 130 responses from about 161 dioceses across the USA re: whether the diocese has age limits on vocations (specifically the permanent diaconate).

Interestingly, many of the poorer performers (e.g. my own Albany NY diocese) have caps on vocations.

Any thoughts on this or comments on articles you may have read or information you may have gleaned?
 
I don’t know about scriptures showing age not being an impediment to vocation, but just as a piece of anecdotal evidence, when I was looking into the new permanent deacon class that formed in our diocese last fall, I was concerned about the 55-yr age limit. However, our Deacon Michael, a graduate of the previous class said not to worry; in his class here was a 75-year-old.

(I wound up not applying; my SU is a full-time care-giver for her father; she could not have made the weekend classes, and the SU’s presence is required.)

DaveBj
 
DaveBj said:
(I wound up not applying; my SU is a full-time care-giver for her father; she could not have made the weekend classes, and the SU’s presence is required.)

DaveBj
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Hi Dave:

What’s an SU?

Kind regards,

Harold
 
This isn’t in direct support, but it came to mind. It shows, at least, that God doesn’t support ageism:

“Listen to me…you who have been carried since birth,
whom I have carried since the time you were born.
**In your old age, I shall still be the same,
when your hair is grey, I shall support you. **
I have already done so, I have carried you’
I shall still support and deliver you.” [Isaiah 46:3-4]

Best wishes and prayers for your continued service of God and other people.

Regards, Trishie
 
hvadney said:
Hi Dave:

What’s an SU?

Kind regards,

Harold
Click to expand...
Spousal Unit.

(And before anyone gets upset about any supposed disrespect, she knows I refer to her that way, and she’s okay with it. You should hear what she calls me 😛

(Not really)

DaveBj
 
Thanks for the bit of levity! Lord knows we need it.

Bless you and your SU 😃
 
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