Fr Ed Homily 7-27-20

Really? Underwear?

Several years ago, I was the diocesan chaplain for the Boy Scouts. During the summers I would visit with many troops at Camp Tomahawk at Long Lake and Camp Phillips outside of Haugen. For the boys and their leaders, we would celebrate mass on Sunday evenings at Tomahawk and Wednesday evenings for Phillips. At Camp Tomahawk we would sometimes have up to 300 scouts and adult leaders attending an outdoor mass. It is an impressive sight.

As impressive as that is, what would you talk about that would keep 300 restless boys, ages probably 10 to 14, interested in the mass? Today’s first reading is appropriate. And if you haven’t read the first reading today from Jeremiah, better stop here and do so. If you don’t you won’t believe what I am going to say next.

I find the Bible incredibly interesting because God uses every form of example imaginable. He tells Jeremiah to put a linen loincloth and wear it for a while without water. In other words, underwear, and not to wash it. (I have their interest now) After a period of time, God now tells Jeremiah to bury it in the cleft of some rocks. Then after a couple of months Jeremiah is to receive it and show it to the people. (How would you demonstrate this?) He was to do this to show how close God wants to be with us, as close as our underwear. But we have sinned and soiled the cloth. It is now useless. Now, remember, I am speaking to young men, who had already mentally planned to go the whole week without a shower. Talking about the dirt of sin, of soiling ourselves, is just leading us to sin. Rather, God desires to be close to us. That means being men that are clean, helpful, and friendly. It means being trustworthy and honest. Even if the thickest of woods, we are to be young men of morals. We have virtues that we live by.

Now remember, no food in your tents. We do not need any problems with the bears.

May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen