It was a beautiful evening as we celebrated my husband’s birthday. In and out we went as we grilled fajitas and pushed grandkids on swings through the wide-open patio doors.

My mother says I charge through life, which is not surprising, as I rushed back outside to get something, I didn’t notice the screen was closed in the dark. It was ugly in slow motion as I plowed through the door, my feet having nowhere to land as my hands flailed in midair, trying to stop this mass in motion. I could see the shocked look of a grandkid sitting in the path of this flying debacle, and an impending collision in progress. I don’t remember if they ran for their life in the milliseconds before it all ended with me on the ground, wrapped in metal and screen.

While I was one hundred percent embarrassed and dealing with bruised limbs and ego, there were no broken bones.

Thank you, Jesus.

I know I am not the only goofball who has walked through a patio screen door. It’s literally a rite of passage in America. You know what I’m talking about. This wasn’t my first encounter, but I hope it’s my last.

I’m aware that I keep my guardian angel working overtime. It’s that charging thing I’ve been doing for most of my life. Every step is purpose-driven. I’m in motion before my brain has time to relay the purpose. Why did I come in here again?

As I age, I realize I need to slow down somewhat, at least to the pace of everyone else. I’ve recognized over the last few years through my encounters with metal, wood, and screen that I don’t bounce back as easily as I did decades ago. It’s an aging thing, and we tend to shatter more easily, requiring a hard stop.

Aren’t we supposed to be wiser and good examples to the youth as we age?

In the biblical story in Second Maccabees (6:18-31), Eleazar, “a man of advanced age and noble appearance,” is forced to go against everything he knows to be true and worthy.  It is a passage worth reflecting on and a beautiful example of what it means to stand for truth under duress.  He stands up to discriminatory laws, and in his case, being forced to disobey his faith by yielding to pagan worship by order of the king. This led to his powerful witness, as a ninety-year-old, of the intrinsic value, truth, and obedience to God’s laws.

“But he made up his mind in a noble manner, worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood. Above all, loyal to the holy laws given by God, he swiftly declared, “Send me to Hades! At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many of the young would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion.” (2 Macc 6:23-24)

So I ask us today: what is our responsibility, as the current gray-haired crowd, not to cause scandal to those younger than ourselves?

Because our example matters.

CCC 2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.

What do the young learn by observing their elders? Do they see clearly that there are issues worth standing for? That every life is precious, and a gift from God, for example, and taking an innocent life is wrong in all circumstances? Or do they see that those who know better remain silent, non-committal, or consenting to such a heinous action?

Do they observe their elders refusing to call a boy a girl or vice versa, as they lovingly speak truth into the confusion and lies?

Is the example we set before them one of faith in action, standing firm on timeless teachings; faithfully attending Mass and observing the truths passed down through generations from God? Our genuine willingness to speak and live the truth about the complex issues of our day matters to those who are being misled.

“Even if, for the time being, I avoid human punishment, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hand of the Almighty. Therefore, by bravely giving up life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and nobly for the revered and holy laws.”

2 Macc:26-28

We have a duty to present an authentic, joyful Catholic life worthy of living and preserving at all costs. This life is so temporary, and eternity is a long time to spend regretting going along, to get along.

I want to meet Eleazar one day in heaven and say thank you. His strength and formidable witness in the face of death were invaluable to generations he would never meet.

Today, Christians in Nigeria are brutally killed for their faith in Christ Jesus. They are willing to die rather than not live in that truth. Pope Leo XIV has asked us to pray for them. Please do so, and also speak to your kids and grandkids about the faith you love, but more importantly, live out in witness.