(OSV News) -- Every four years, thousands of Catholic Scouts from across the U.S. gather for Sunday Mass in the mountains of West Virginia.
As faith is the first of the core principles which they hold dear, they joyfully observe their Sunday obligation while participating in the Scouting America National Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope, W.Va., which was held this year July 22-31.
"It was a wonderful Mass filled with joy, with hope," said Bishop Evelio Menjívar of Wheeling-Charleston, who celebrated the July 26 Mass for more than 2,000 Catholic Scouts who filled a field at the reserve that morning. "For the church, seeing so many young people is always a sign of hope." The Scouts, he said, are devout, willing to serve and pledge to honor God and country.
"It is just beautiful," Bishop Menjívar told The Catholic Spirit, the news outlet of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
The Catholic Scouts were among the more than 20,000 Scouts from throughout the country who attended the nine-day jamboree, which is held every four years at the reserve.
Concelebrating the Mass and giving the homily was Bishop Michael W. Fisher of Buffalo, New York, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' episcopal liaison to Catholic Scouting America, which is the largest of the faith-based Scouting America groups.
A Scout is reverent, Bishop Fisher said in his homily. "That's what brings us here today as God's people," he said, "to give thanks, to give prayer and to offer that ultimate prayer in this holy Eucharist."
Scouts, he said, are first reverent to God; faithful in his or her religious duties; and respect the convictions of others in matters of religion and custom.
Noting that they were surrounded by God's beauty and creation, Bishop Fisher told the Scouts that reverence comes naturally to human beings and, in a particular way, to Catholics.
"When we look at the mountains and forests," he said, "we can't help but praise our creator. For truly we are in God's country."
In the Gospel for the Mass (Mt 13:44-52), Bishop Fisher said that Jesus reminds us that reverence is about finding hidden treasure and gives numerous examples of those who are searching.
"It's not just an outward posture, but it's about being transformed internally in our hearts and in our souls," he said.
In the Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."
A critical question to all, Bishop Fisher said, is: "What is that true treasure that you're seeking in your life?"
To answer that, he pointed to the first reading (1 Kings 3:5, 7-12), where God appears to a young King Solomon in a dream and said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you."
Solomon doesn't ask for riches, or a long life, or power over his enemies, Bishop Fisher said. Instead, he admits his limitations and says, "I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act."
He asks God for an understanding heart, Bishop Fisher said, to discern between right and wrong. He asked for wisdom.
"This is exactly what we promise every time we stand at attention and make this Scout Sign, and repeat the Scout Oath," Bishop Fisher said. "When we say we will do our duty to God and country and keep ourselves lawfully straight, we are asking for Solomon's gift of wisdom. We are asking for a wise heart to navigate a complicated world."
Bishop Fisher, an Eagle Scout himself, reminded all of the national jamboree's theme, "Elevate," and said that Jesus is calling all to elevate what they treasure in life.
"The treasure," he said, "is God's grace, his love and truth acting within us. To elevate means to stop digging for that cheap, temporary treasure like popularity or selfishness in material things," he said. "Instead, hopefully, we sell out completely for what lasts: kindness, purity, reverence, and justice."
A Scout who lives out the Scout Law is a living sign of God's kingdom on earth, Bishop Fisher said. "Have you ever thought of yourself in that way?" he asked the Scouts.
In the second reading for the Mass, Bishop Fisher said that St. Paul reminds the Romans that we are called to be conformed to the image of God's Son.
"Jesus is, you might say, that ultimate Scout leader," Bishop Fisher said. "He did not come to be served, but to serve. He did a good turn daily. He prepared. He navigated the wilderness. He gathered a patrol of disciples. And he laid down his life to show that ultimate trail, that trail map to heaven.
"When you leave this jamboree and pack up your dirty laundry, your gear, and your cool patches, as well as great memories, the most important thing you should take home with you is a renewed spirit," Bishop Fisher said. "God wants to elevate our character so that we become leaders and guides to others to what is right, and what is truly lasting in God's kingdom."
Jesus concludes the Gospel for the Mass with the warning about a net thrown into the sea that catches fish of every kind, Bishop Fisher said. At the end of the day, the good are gathered, he said, and the bad are thrown away. "Our lives are kind of like that net," Bishop Fisher said. "Every day, we gather choices, words, and habits."
He encouraged the Scouts to use the wisdom of Solomon, the great gift he asked for from the Lord, to sort through all of it and to be prepared. Bishop Fisher urged them to throw away gossip and dishonesty and keep the treasures of faith, service and the Scout spirit.
"Let us pray today for the courage to sell out for the kingdom of heaven, for the kingdom of God," Bishop Fisher said, "to elevate our thoughts and actions, and to always seek the true treasure -- a heart that knows, that loves, and serves God always. A Scout is reverent. Amen."
The Catholic Scouts also prayed for the nation in the celebration of its 250th anniversary.
With them was Jesuit Father Mark Carr, national chaplain for Catholic Scouting America, who led the "Novena Prayer for America."
Together, they prayed, "that the Church in the United States boldly proclaims the Gospel. May we all, especially our young Scouts, be joyful witnesses of Christ in our neighborhoods and schools."
For more than 100 years, Catholic Scouting America has provided young people adventure, character building and values-based lessons grounded in the Catholic faith, the organization's website states.
And this, Bishop Menjívar said, the church must continue to support.
"It's a good place for children to learn and to grow, mature as a person but also in their faith and in their commitment to serve. I really encourage parents to look at those opportunities that the Scouts offer, especially at this time when we need to take the kids out of social media, the screens," he said.
