Retirement is often seen as a time to step away from work, to relax and enjoy the rewards of decades of labor. It’s a season of life that, in many cultures, carries the promise of leisure and personal freedom. Yet, despite the common refrain of “I can’t wait to retire,” there can be an underlying unease, a fear of becoming irrelevant or unproductive as one ages.
The Christian tradition, honors the wisdom and contributions of the elderly; the Bible itself suggests that aging is not a decline but rather a time to bear new kinds of fruit — spiritual wisdom, guidance, and deeper relationships with God and others.
In the Franciscan tradition, this time is an opportunity to embrace vulnerability and simplicity, seeing them as paths to deeper communion with God. St. Francis of Assisi, known for his joyful acceptance of life’s limitations, teaches us that true fulfillment is not found in status or achievement but in living every phase of life with humility and gratitude. Retirement, from this perspective, becomes less about stepping away and more about stepping into a new kind of calling — one that invites greater focus on community, spiritual growth, and acts of service.
This article will explore what Scripture says about aging and retirement, and how the Franciscan tradition offers a hopeful way to navigate this stage. Rather than perceive it as the end of a productive life, the Franciscan lens invites us to see retirement as a time of continued purpose, deeper contemplation, and an opportunity to discover “perfect joy.”
What Does the Bible Say About Retirement?
Before we focus on the Franciscan lens, let us first discuss what the Bible says about retirement. Though retirement as we know it is a modern construct, dating back to the late 1800s, the Bible contains many lessons that can be applied to this transitional period of life.
Retirement, as understood through Scripture, is not an abdication of duty but an invitation to continue serving God in new and meaningful ways. The emphasis here is on continuity rather than withdrawal, with older age seen as a time of spiritual fruitfulness.
In the Book of Numbers, God provides specific instructions to Moses regarding the retirement of the Levites:
“At the age of twenty-five they will join the workforce in the Tent of Meeting; at the age of fifty they must retire from the work. They can assist their brothers in the tasks in the Tent of Meeting, but they are not permitted to do the actual work themselves.” (Numbers 8:24–26)
Here, retirement is not a removal from community service but a change in how one participates. While the Levites retired from the physical labor of the Temple, they were encouraged to guide and support younger members of the community, highlighting the continued value of their experience and wisdom.
Similarly, the Psalms speak to the dignity of aging and the continuing purpose found in God’s presence. Psalm 92 proclaims that “The righteous…still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green” (Psalm 92:12–14). The imagery of fruitful trees underscores that, even in older age, life can be full of vitality and purpose. It is a time when one’s roots in faith are deep and can bear enduring fruit. Far from fading away, the elderly are seen as capable of significant spiritual contributions.
The words of the Scripture provide a powerful framework, one which dovetails neatly with the Franciscan view on aging and retirement.
The Franciscan Perspective on Rest and Relaxation
In Franciscan spirituality, rest and relaxation are valued as essential elements of a balanced life that enable a person to maintain both their physical well-being and their openness to God and others. For St. Francis and his followers, rest is not simply a pause from work but a way to enter into harmony with creation, to reconnect with God, and to renew oneself for service.
This approach offers a refreshing perspective on retirement, framing it as a season for quiet reflection, prayer, and cultivating inner peace. In a culture that emphasizes productivity, the Franciscan tradition reaffirms that rest and relaxation are inherently valuable, not because they recharge one for more work, but because they bring one closer to God.
St. Francis’s relationship with the natural world provides an important foundation for understanding the Franciscan view on rest. In the Canticle of the Creatures, he praises the elements of nature, finding in them a source of peace, gratitude, and spiritual restoration. Retirees, similarly, can find renewal in simpler, slower rhythms — gardening, spending time outdoors, or savoring quiet moments with loved ones. These restful practices become more than moments of leisure; they are ways to experience God’s presence through creation.
St. Francis was also known to withdraw to places such as Mount La Verna — where he would receive the stigmata — to pray and regain strength. These moments of solitude were essential preparation for returning to his ministry with a revitalized spirit. Retirement can likewise prepare the faithful for continued service, be it through mentoring, volunteering, or other ways of giving back to the community. Rest and relaxation, in this sense, is not an end to service but a time to prepare one’s heart for new ways of serving others.
Franciscan simplicity further supports this view of rest, valuing contentment in each quiet moment. Followers of the Franciscan tradition practice this simplicity by holding on to few possessions and focusing on being present with one another. This spirit of simplicity encourages a shift in retirement from productivity to presence, where one might take joy in small daily activities at a pace that allows for gratitude. The quieter life retirement affords is an opportunity to embrace contentment, without needing external achievements to find fulfillment.
Rest and relaxation are not passive states but pathways to a fuller, more present life with God. As retirees embrace these restful practices, they continue living out their vocation and answer the call to simplicity, gratitude, and community.
The Franciscan Perspective on Longevity and Aging
Aging, in the Franciscan tradition, offers a unique chance to lean into humility and recognize life as a continual journey toward God.
St. Francis modeled this in his own life as he faced physical frailty and illness in his later years. Rather than resist his physical limitations, Francis saw his suffering as a means to grow in unity with Christ. Again, we turn to his final hymn, Canticle of the Creatures, where he refers to “Sister Death” with acceptance and peace, exemplifying how to approach life’s ultimate transition with faith in God’s goodness. This peace-filled perspective on mortality reflects the Franciscan belief that aging and longevity are part of a natural cycle, an invitation to experience life’s fullness and prepare joyfully for its completion.
Aging also serves as an opportunity to fulfill a unique role within one’s community. Franciscans are called to emphasize the dignity of the human person and dedicate themselves to a consistent ethic of life, core values that reflect the importance of mutual care and community within the Franciscan tradition. As such, older members of the church are encouraged to remain active in ministry and the bonds they share within their community. In retirement, this might involve mentoring younger members of the church, enabling elders to pass on their faith and the wisdom gained through their lived experience.
Moreover, Franciscan thought encourages acceptance of the dependency that often comes with aging. Humility is a path to holiness, and the experience of relying on others can be seen as an invitation to receive love, care, and companionship with gratitude. Aging is not merely about facing one’s own limitations but about entering a new phase of solidarity, where dependence fosters a shared experience of compassion.
Ultimately, the Franciscan approach to aging and longevity frames one’s later years as the penultimate stop in a sacred journey. It is a season of grace where one can let go of worldly attachments, serve others with humility and wisdom, and accept the transitions of life with peace. In this way, aging is an opportunity to live in greater harmony with God and to leave behind a legacy of love and faith for future generations.
Meaningful Ways to Serve in Retirement
Older members of the church have a wealth of experience to offer their communities, making retirement a fulfilling season for service. Here are some meaningful ways to contribute:
- Provide mentorship and spiritual guidance. Many elders find great purpose in mentoring younger members of the church or community. They can offer guidance in faith, career, family life, spiritual growth, and more. Serving as a spiritual guide — whether formally or informally — can be invaluable, especially for young adults or new members who seek to grow in their faith and understanding of church teachings.
- Participate in religious education. Retired members of the church can bring their life experience to religious education programs, assisting with catechesis for children, teens, and adults preparing for sacraments such as First Communion, Confirmation, or marriage. Older adults can also facilitate Bible studies or small faith-sharing groups, offering insights from years of faith practice that inspire and deepen understanding of the Scripture and doctrine.
- Enlist in prayer ministry. As their physical energy declines, many older members devote time to intercessory prayer, uplifting the needs of the parish, local community, and the broader church constituency. This dedicated prayer support is often the spiritual backbone of the church, and those in their retirement years can be especially attuned to this quiet, yet profound way of serving others.
- Volunteer for visitation or pastoral care. Older members can offer companionship to those who are homebound, ill, or in assisted living facilities, providing the comfort of faith and friendship. They can visit parishioners who are sick, bereaved, or lonely, offering a compassionate presence, often drawing on their own experiences of life’s transitions to bring empathy and understanding.
- Support parish ministries. Many parishes have programs that require organizational skills, planning, and commitment — qualities that retired parishioners can offer. They can help manage church events, run food or clothing drives, assist in parish offices, or volunteer with outreach efforts.
- Welcome new members of the church. Older parishioners can serve as greeters, welcoming newcomers and ensuring they feel at home. Their warmth and willingness to listen are vital to creating a welcoming environment and fostering a sense of belonging. They can also assist with hospitality for parish events, setting up gatherings and providing meals to those in need.
- Share your stories. Retirees often have insightful stories of faith, family, work, and God’s presence in their lives. Sharing these stories, whether in church newsletters, testimonies, blog posts, or informal gatherings, enables them to pass on their faith journeys, inspiring others and preserving the legacy of their spiritual experiences.
Retirement offers a unique opportunity to further explore one’s relationship with God, discover new callings, and engage with faith in profound ways. For those drawn to expand their theological knowledge, pursuing a master’s degree through the University of San Diego’s Master of Theological Studies – Franciscan Theology can be a fulfilling way to embark on this journey. Through theological study, retirees can bring the wisdom of a lifetime to bear on understanding Scripture, church teachings, and the Franciscan tradition.