THROUGH UNTRUE
Today, on Father's Day, let us pay special attention to aging fathers who are journeying through their sunset years. The unfortunate reality is that many of them are caught in a society that excessively values youth, beauty, and athleticism. As a result, elderly fathers are often perceived as weak, worn-out, and burdened with various afflictions that require external intervention.
Regrettably, there are children who fail to acknowledge and celebrate their aging father's sacrifices in raising and educating them. Some even view their fathers as problems or significant financial burdens. They disregard the wisdom acquired by their fathers through life experiences. They instead prefer information obtained from social networking and artificial intelligence, which have become their virtual "father figures."
The beauty industry exacerbates this situation by transforming aging fathers into cosmetic concerns. They inundate TV networks and social media platforms with products and procedures promising to reverse the undesired effects of aging. Consequently, on Father's Day, many fathers receive gift packages from their children containing anti-wrinkle creams, vitamins, supplements, salon and spa services, and facial and body treatments that promise age-defying outcomes.
While nothing is inherently wrong with such gifts, they fail to help fathers come to terms with the reality of old age. These gifts may even give them the impression that their children are more interested in their appearance than in prioritizing their more urgent needs, such as care, attention, and quality time for bonding and listening.
The entertainment industry compounds the insecurities of older fathers by showcasing photoshopped images of graying celebrities with muscular bodies and youthful facial features. When aging fathers look at the bulges and wrinkles on their own bodies, they often develop low self-esteem and may even suffer from mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The pressure to conform to the health and beauty standards set by the cosmetic and entertainment industries creates a cycle of insecurity among aging fathers and fosters an unhealthy obsession on how they look.
Our Christian faith teaches us that aging and physical decay are inevitable aspects of human life. To experience rebirth, a part of us must die. Thus, hope and triumph are inseparable from tragedy and death. So, while none of us is exempt from the experience of physical aging, our Christian faith transforms our understanding of its meaning. We should not look at aging as a liability but as an opportunity to experience the Lord's faithful providence and compassion for His people.
Unfortunately, this understanding of the integrity of human existence has been largely lost in a consumeristic culture that dichotomizes joy and sorrow, strength and frailty, growth and decay, life and death. Modern society has forsaken many spiritual resources that help us comprehend and gracefully accept the limits of human existence. Life is no longer seen as a spiritual journey where death is not the end but merely a boundary. Science has taken precedence over religion in explaining the phenomenon of old age.
It is crucial that we assist aging fathers in resisting the detrimental influences of the youth and beauty cults promoted by the entertainment and cosmetic industries. The best antidote to these influences is to enhance, broaden, and deepen our understanding of aging, allowing us to appreciate it as an essential part of life and not equate it with weakness, illness, and a sense of utter uselessness.
Today, many aging fathers feel that they are no longer esteemed and honored for who they are. With love and understanding, their children can help them feel good about themselves, celebrate their achievements, and assist them in reaping the benefits that arise from a humble and joyous acceptance of the inevitable.