When I attended my first Kairos camp, I was in a very enriching phase of my life. My Lasallian formation was still fresh in my mind; I had completed a week-long Ignatian retreat and was also attending a Charismatic Renewal group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each of these evangelization tools offered me a different perspective on how to relate to God, and each had its own unique characteristics and spirituality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the camps, there are various ways and areas to serve. One way to help is by being a leader. Leaders are entrusted with a group of people for the duration of the camp; they guide participants through activities, offer support, and help them process the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During my orientation to become a camp leader, one phrase really stuck with me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We have to watch each other’s backs.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What this meant was that we leaders needed to avoid contradicting one another or having disagreements in front of the participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That seemed obvious to me\u2014at least until small differences began to arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn’t about ignoring those differences, but rather addressing them at the right moment and avoiding unnecessary confusion in front of the participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ah!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s when I understood what “watching each other’s backs” really meant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among other things, it was about presenting a united front\u2014showing unity and a strong, cohesive presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In camps where there were new leaders, we were paired with experienced leaders so we could learn. I found it intimidating, and it made me nervous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the nervousness passed, however, I could experience the feeling of being backed up\u2014and that is precisely what the phrase “watching each other’s backs” refers to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And you\u2014when was the last time you felt backed up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For me, this was deeply significant; it was the starting point for a profound experience\u2014realizing that God has my back. And that is something God does for you, too\u2014and for each of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Scripture, Jesus tells us not to be afraid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is it possible that Jesus is reminding us, once again, that He has our back with his love?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the Spirit leads you, share with Jesus the Carpenter any fear you might have. You may well discover that He has your back with his profound love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marisol<\/p>\n\n\n\n
P.S.: We can hear about the invitation not to be afraid in the readings for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, year\/cycle A.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When I attended my first Kairos camp, I was in a very enriching phase of my life. My Lasallian formation was still fresh in my mind; I had completed a week-long Ignatian retreat and was also attending a Charismatic Renewal group. Each of these evangelization tools offered me a different perspective on how to relate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10088,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-2-2"],"yoast_head":"\n