This homily was given at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. The readings are from Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter.
We call Philmont “God’s Country” and “Heaven on Earth (HOmE).” There is such beauty and mystery here that these mountains do tend to raise our minds in thanksgiving to the one who created all this. Yet we know that probably most people coming to Philmont are not explicitly coming hoping to find God. That’s what I love about Scouts. It’s not an “in your face” kind of religious imposition. Philmont works its own magic.
Sometimes though, a little help from a knowledgeable guide can help people see things they might have missed. Like a good Ranger reminding crews to look up from the boots in front of them, those of us who know God can help others not to miss him at Philmont.
In the first reading today, St. Paul is preaching to people who don’t know the true God. They are worshiping multiple pagan gods. Rather than becoming upset or criticizing, Paul notices an altar to “an unknown god.” He can work with that. He ignores all the false pagan gods and preaches the truth of the unknown god they are worshiping. There’s not an immediate conversion, but people are intrigued and want to hear more.
That’s our role in a world where more and more people don’t know how to talk about their experience of God. They may even call themselves atheist out of confusion. Sadly, this culture also exists at Philmont. In giving us Philmont, God has provided a ton more material to work with than St. Paul had. So let’s be on the lookout for our opportunities. I really don’t think there are many atheists at Philmont. But there are a lot of people who could use a little introduction to the “unknown god” they don’t know how to talk about.