Camping tents in the woods. Via Wikimedia Commons

Two plus two equals...one hundred

As "leaders" of the Knights of St. Clement middle school group, we are always amazed at how little our planning has to do with the miracles that happen during our time together with this lively group of 11–13-year-olds...

As "leaders" of the Knights of St. Clement middle school group, we are always amazed at how little our planning has to do with the miracles that happen during our time together with this lively group of 11–13 year olds. We are particularly grateful for last week's camping trip. There, in front of the bare need that these kids are, and that we too are, without other distractions and immersed in so much beauty of nature, no one can hide, and none of our plans or schemes hold the day. Christ's presence is more evident in this simplicity, as is our inability to "do" anything for these kids whom we love so deeply, desire for so deeply. It is up to us only to delight in loving them, and in their affection for us, and to live with them, acknowledging Christ among us. Fr. Roberto is so sure that Christ is the one running this three-day outing that he labels our tentative plans "ironic attempts at a schedule" ! He has taught us to really watch and listen and be changed ourselves, along with the kids–this way to live is so much more beautiful than a mother's grand but stressful efforts to control a group of 29 children on a camping trip. We have found in our work of organizing and facilitating that two plus two does not equal four… it equals one hundred! And from within this disposition, the surprises we witness are abundant, such as our cooking together that produces food that tastes better than home; or seeing 12-year olds kneeling on rocky ground in rapt attention before the Eucharist; or hearing from one of our young hikers: "I have always walked but now I see, I really see for the first time how God has made leaves and flowers, and everything so incredible for us!" A boy who is characteristically silent spoke up one night, "I have never liked singing. But finally I see that Christ is asking me to be present to everything happening among us–so now, I will join you in singing!" And even the games were miraculous: no one was inclined to cheat, even in heavy competition–we witnessed justice as an affirmation of affection and of a unity (not justice for its own sake, which would be moralism). It occurred to us that the games were played as a paradigm of life. All of these facts and happenings have made us, those who "serve" this group, feel fully served ourselves, waited on hand and foot by the Love that manifests itself on this journey we have undertaken with the Knights. For us, this is the hundredfold.

Michelle and Laura, Kensington, MD (USA)