THE WORDS OF THE ELDERS ARE WORDS OF WISDOM

Listening to the advice of elders can sometimes be very boring for the young ones. They just listen for the sake of respect for the elders and then leave to do whatever they want to do. Many elderly people, especially those who are very old and are expecting death, always use every opportunity to advice the young ones. After much experience in life, they think of what they would have done differently in their younger days and then advice the young not to make the same mistake. They are also more conscious of the vanity of human life.
In the first reading of today, we see David in his sick and dying bed, advising his son Solomon who will be king after him, to maintain righteousness and follow the way of the Lord. David who had sinned against God and begged for forgiveness, advised his son not to turn away from God. David had everything one could imagine but still died, he was therefore able to advise solomon about the vanity of life.
We also see this expressed by Jesus in the gospel reading of today, instructing the Apostles not to focus on any material thing, but solely on doing the work of God. 
It is worthwhile to always advise the young, and the young should not take the advice of the elderly ones for granted. 

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP