Shawn The Baptist - Sunday Scriptures

The following homily was given at Philmont Scout Ranch at the Vigil of Pentecost on the evening prior to the first crews returning to the backcountry after the Ute Park Fire last summer.

In our readings today, we hear about going to meet God on a mountain. Moses gathers with the people of Israel on “The Mountain of God.” It seems that, in the Bible, if you want to meet God, you go to a mountain. I suppose it’s the same for us here at Philmont.

While meeting God may not be exactly what every person is looking for in the mountains of Philmont, there are two things that I think we can all relate to in coming to the mountains. First, we come here because climbing a mountain is a challenge. I’m from Kansas. Mount Sunflower is the highest peak and it doesn’t exactly look like a mountain. The mountains of Philmont are tough. Baldy is 12, 441 feet and not an easy climb. We like this kind of challenge. That’s one reason we climb a mountain.

Another reason that we climb mountains is for the view. From on top of a mountain you can see so much more. If you want to see better, climb higher. The view from Baldy is incredible. Watching the sunrise from the Tooth of Time is something you never forget.

There’s a good reason that we describe life’s highlights as being “mountaintop experiences.” The greatest challenges often give us the greatest sense of accomplishment and a true view of how far we’ve come. On this feast of Pentecost, Jesus sent the apostles out. Tomorrow, you scouts will return to the backcountry for the first time in almost two years. A fire has done some damage. But, like the Spirit, you will be sent out and you will renew the face of Philmont. I hope you find God out there on the mountain.

Just as a Philmont Ranger leaves his crew, so Jesus eventually left his apostles. Now it's time to go do what we've been trained to do.

I really don't think there are many atheists at Philmont. But there are a lot of people who could use an introduction to the "unknown god."

On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus tells his apostles, "I give you a new commandment: love one another." We use the word love to mean so many things. I love God. Love my family and friends. I love dogs. I love pizza. That's a pretty wide range of meanings for the same word. But what does Jesus mean? That's the important questions. Fortunately, Jesus gives us some interpretive help in his very next words, as related in today's gospel.

"As I have loved you, so you also should love one another." To fulfill the new commandment of Jesus, we must love as he loved. The fact that he gives this commandment at the Last Supper is no coincidence. St. John tells us, "He loved his own in the world, and he loved them to the end." Jesus doesn't run away from suffering, but offers his very life, all the way to the end.

From the example of Jesus, we can see that the love he is talking about is not some fleeting feeling of happy thought or a warm heart. It's not self interested. Rather, the love shown by Jesus is a concrete decision to do what is best for another. This love is willing to suffer for the good of another rather than seek one's own fulfillment. Notice how counter-cultural this commandment is, especially for our modern society obsessed with immediate gratification of the self and sexual love.

Jesus gives us a new commandment to love one another. He also gives us the standard, "As I have loved you, so you also should love one another." So, "What is love?" The answer is simple. Look at Jesus. If you want to see love, look at the crucifix. That's what Jesus means by love. Now go and do likewise.

Do you want to be filled with joy even in the midst of suffering? Then you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit like in today's readings.

On Holy Thursday, Peter denied Jesus three times. Today, he gets to go to confession face to face with Jesus and finds freedom to keep going.

Mary of Magdala and the other women, Peter, John... they all have their stories of Easter morning. What's your story?

Today's homily considers the story of three great disciples of Jesus who showed heroic love for the body of Christ.

Tonight we tell the great stories salvation: The Passover, the New Covenant... and find help for the story we're living right now.

Palm Sunday gives a snapshot of the important events we celebrate this week. Take time to follow Jesus this week and be ready for next week.