It is faith that makes us ready for heaven. And what is faith? Stubbornly seeing purpose in this life—stubbornly because sometimes it does take a great effort—that others cannot see.

“The life of our communities must know how to benefit from the talents and charisms of so many elderly people who are already retired, but who are a wealth to be treasured,” Pope Francis said in his weekly audience.

Young advocates of the Tridentine liturgy like to believe that it was always celebrated with great beauty and dignity. Older Catholics know that this is not true.

The story of Eleazar refusing to back down from his faith even in his old age reminds us that faith without action is just hypocrisy.