Sunday Homily, September 17, 2017, 24th Ordinary Time
Greetings from Yosemite, Hoover Wilderness, and Matterhorn Canyon. Departure Moment. All say "Hi" and "Welcome," Beth, Andy, Rose, Tom, an Old Geezer, Paul & Carrie, Matt & Ray, son & dad.
Readings:
Sirach, 27, 30-28, 7 Wrath & anger are hateful things
Psalm 103, The Lord is gracious and merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in love. (that marvelous line again!)
Romans 14, 7-9, None of us lives for oneself.
Matthew 18, 21-35, The gracious king and the abusive servant.
Tori says, "Welcome Home, all you Campers."
Observations on Sirach
What: a collection of wisdom statements or ethics, like 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' Lengthy, 51 chapters.
Who: composed by a Jewish scribe in Hebrew and translated into Greek by his grandson, probably in Alexandria, Egypt.
When: ca. 200 yours before Christ.
Subject today: Beware of hatred & Anger.
Harper says, "May I go the next time you go camping?"
Cura Personalis or caring for another
I would like to talk this morning about an old ethical concept we were trained up on as Jesuits, cura personalis, in Latin, which means taking care of the other in my life.
For years I have been trying to take care of my fellow campers on our voyages to Yosemite and elsewhere. This past trip my fellow campers took care of me.
Trey & Brady, our Candle Lighters of The Week.
For example, we had a new guy this year, Matt Occhipinti. Yes, Ray & Claire’s son. For me he was a wild card, an unknown, consequently, scary. Like can he do the hike or will he melt down. And then what?
Well, not only did Matt not melt down he was a great camper, hiker, and especially a helper around the camp sites. Like I saw him frequently hauling water up from the river or lake to fill our water purification bladder. I thank him.
So what do you do when you finally arrive at the 11k plus Burrow Pass to find that the trail going steeply down the other side is covered by a huge mass of left over snow? Yes, Harper, you slide.
I also thank Ray, not only for bringing Matt, but also for being our evening dinner cook and our morning hot water maker. It is so nice to crawl out of my sleeping bag in 38 degree temp to find hot water prepared for coffee or oat meal. Thanks again, Ray.
Cura personalis also came from Paul & Carrie, not only for each other, but even for me! They watched my back and helped me up some big boulder steps. They saved me a tent site and helped me set up my tent one evening when I arrived pretty exhausted. I watched them, too, folks, and can let you know, as I told them, their relationship is made in heaven and they have many happy days ahead of them because they care for each other so well, especially by listening to each other. Thanks, Paul & Carrie.
Buddy & Georgie, would you like to go for a slide on the snow?
Then I was so touched by two monster helpers, our Tom Fleming and Andy Sokoloski. One day, believe it or not, Beth, Rose, and myself took a spur trail and got lost for about an hour. We have walkie talkies and radioed ahead. Next thing, Tom and Andy come striding to our rescue. Tom even takes my back pack until we catch the others who were waiting for us. Thanks, Tom.
Andy also saved me numerous times with his stream crossing sandals. The past years the streams have always been low. So I don’t bring my sandals. Stupid! I borrowed Andy’s sandals 8-10 times. Thanks, Andy.
Want to take a snow slide with me, Cory & Shonda?
And then there is Beth. First of all, as always she comes out of her tent in the cold morning before sun is up all smiles and cheer. What a joy. But she also did something for me that I reflected had never happened in all the many years I have camped in Tanzania & Kenya, with the Jesuits, and now with our people.
As I walked into camp late one afternoon, Beth, asks me if I would like help putting up my tent. I was so touched. Sure thing, I accepted. She even did it twice and probably set an example such that Paul & Carrie made the same offer our last night in the wilderness. I also know you carried some of my food stuff. Thanks, Beth.
Hey, Buddy, how do you do that with your legs? Wow, if I tried that, it would take surgery to get me out, or a mortician.
And Rose. Every year I have always carried two bear canisters so that folks who have a hard time with the weight of the dinner or cheese or Jack Daniels, they would not have to worry. This year I started out as usual. Guess what. I just did not have this year my usual energy and push.
Rose saw this the first day and what does she do behind my back. She asks everybody in the camp the first night to help me out. So one minute I have two full canisters. The next the canisters are almost empty. If she & everybody had not done that, I would have had a tough time. As it was, I was always the last person into the evening camp and into the trail head on the last day. And guess who was always there giving me cura personalis, personal care! Thanks so much, Rose Banzhaf.
Is poor Beth trying to hide? While I tell stories about her?
Who gives you personal care?
To whom do you give personal care?
Anybody claim these derelicts? Like Paul & Carrie, Rose & Beth & Andy, Ray & Matt & Tom & an Old Geezer? Looking north up Matterhorn Canyon.