My latest Father Gabriel cartoon strip is devoted to the elderly. Let us always remember our elders, whether they are our mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandmother, grandfather, neighbor or a stranger on a bus. They deserve our utmost respect and love. They are the ones who gave us life, they are the ones who worked long hours to put a roof over our head, they are the ones who got up early in the morning to make us breakfast, they are the ones who brought us comfort when life seemed like it was going to crumble, they are the ones who gave us wisdom when nothing else made sense, and they are the ones who wiped away our tears when a parent disciplined us when we did something that we shouldn’t have. And they did so much more for us that we don’t even know, realize or appreciate.
So the next time you see an old lady standing on the bus, give her your seat. The next time you see an old man sitting alone in the park, say hello or give him a smile. The next time your grandfather is giving you words of wisdom, listen to him because his life long experience is worth more than gold. The next time your grandmother is sitting by herself, give her a hug, sit next to her and talk to her.
For this comic strip, I wanted to use a beautiful quote that I found of Saint Nektarios of Aegina, one of my favorite saints!
A Christian must be courteous to all. His words and deeds should breath with the grace of the Holy Spirit, which abides in his soul, so that in this way he might glorify the name of God. ~ Saint Nektarios of Aegina
This comic strip is also devoted to my dear father and also my dear father-in-law who both passed away not too long ago. I always tell my wife that our fathers are now both in heaven having a beer together. They are forever in our hearts!