The sights and the sounds of Valposchiavo in southeastern Switzerland are never restricted to the beauty of nature.  As back home with my own family, there are deep family connections that I’ve shared here which witness to the need for family in today’s post-modern world.  We are watching ‘live’ the profound and deep human tragedies in both Haiti and Afghanistan.   It should enkindle within us a renewed appreciation of family and our closest friends who walk beside us on our own personal camino.  Anyone who knows me can quickly tell you that my favorite Gospel passage is from Luke 24, ‘The Road to Emmaus.’  All of us are on a journey, but for the believer, the final destination is always a Person.  That person is the Risen One, Jesus the Christ.

So, who gives witness to our Christian faith along the many caminos throughout our lives?  Family, closest friends, dedicated parishioners, our spiritual pastors …all join us for either our life-long journey or for some shorter but intense moments of life.  I see and share that here, as well.

Watching, listening, and appreciating my friend, Graziano, sharing moments with his father is a unique privledge. Mr.  Giuseppe Rossi and his late wife, Caterina, have been an important part of the Swiss Camino.  I’ve been blessed to witness it for ten years now, the gift of family in Switzerland.   Like so many families that I’ve encountered for over 42 years in priestly ministry, the Rossi’s makes family love come alive before your very eyes.

The biblical tradition in the Hebrew Scriptures teaches this truth so beautifully.  The Wisdom Tradition  includes the instructions of the Teacher, Ben Sira, as he instructs the young initiates who comes to the Temple to learn the lessons of Judaism.  Where’s what we read in Sirarch 3:12-14.  Here’s the text;