Archbishop calls Scouts to go beyond what is expected for Jesus

SAN ANTONIO • Almost 150 Scouters and their parents took part in the Catholic Committee on Scouting Retreat at the McGimsey Scout Camp on Oct. 10, which, according to organizers, represented one of the best turnouts at the event in recent years.

The Scouts took part in activities to learn more about the lives of St. John Neumann, St. George and Father Junipero Serra. They had the opportunity to play a game of soccer and participate in a service project at the campground. The day closed with a liturgy celebrated by Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, a former Scouter himself.

“Scouting has been an important ministry in the Archdiocese of San Antonio for a very long time. Your troops that are formed by the Catholic Committee on Scouting are special,” the archbishop began. “While you learn the fundamental principles and values of scouting, you also deepen your faith and your understanding of your place in the Catholic church as you build community with your brother and sister scouts. Your dedication as Scouts is truly a blessing to our parishes and the whole community.”

The theme for the retreat was “Encountering Christ.” In the Gospel reading, listeners heard the story of the rich young man’s encounter with Christ. He runs towards Jesus, and kneels down before him, nearly out of breath and filled with emotion. He looks Jesus in the eye and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answers him by asking if he obeys the Ten Commandments. The young man answers he has been faithful to them since he was a boy. Then, to the surprise of the young man, and everyone who could hear this conversation, Jesus tells him this was not enough; that his heart was still divided between his love for God and his love for things. Jesus tells him to “…sell what you have, and give to the poor.” The young man was disappointed at Jesus’ words. He had a lot of material wealth and he could not exchange it for the eternal life he seemed to want so much. Jesus was not angry with the rich young man. The gospel stated, “Jesus was looking at him and loved him.”

“Jesus was asking him, ‘What have you done to make someone’s life better? What have you done to keep others from suffering the terrible pain of poverty?’” asked Archbishop Gustavo.

He continued, “This is very much like the promises you made when you became Scouts. You promise to do your duty to God and country and obey the Scout law. However, you also promise to help other people at all times. It is clear that being a Scout is about doing good things for others, for our families, for the community, for our country. It is not only about not doing things. The hallmark of a Catholic Scout calls you to go above and beyond the basics and to do all that you can with love and mercy.”

The archbishop recalled the visit of Pope Francis to the United States, when the Holy Father told a joint session of Congress: “Let us remember the Golden Rule, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities.” This all sounds like “To help other people at all times,” emphasized Archbishop Gustavo. “As Scouts you do many good things, earning badges and honors for what you accomplish. As Catholics, your good works are motivated by love and faith in Jesus. Your encounter with him changes your heart, makes the love of God and love others the reason you serve. That leads you to more than a badge, it leads you on a path to heaven.”

The San Antonio prelate stressed that when someone encounters Christ they see the work they do in a new way. “Having stuff that you like and earning honors and badges that reflect your good values are not bad things. However, we must never let the need for material things and recognition become the reason for what we do. Our encounter with Jesus calls us to be unselfish and place the needs of others ahead of our own.”

The Missionary of the Holy Spirit ended by asking attendees to help one another, concluding, “When it gets hard to do, say a short prayer, ‘Come! Holy Spirit! Come!’”