Don’t use this reading unless you truly agree with the values it implies, and unless you are willing to put up with some difficult questioning. It is a story that calls into question what some of us would call our most cherished values. It is not appropriate for young Scouts, but it will be helpful to more mature Scouts who are starting to think seriously about the meaning of life.
Christian scripture accompanying this story might be Romans 5:12-21.
This story sets the stage for Victor Hugo’s great French novel, Les Misèralbes. Many preachers have told this story in their own words, but Victor Hugo’s account is so well told that we recommend that you read it to the Scouts. The question for Scouts is, what points on the Scout law is the Bishop demonstrating? The Bishop is helpful and friendly. He is obedient to his understanding of God’s will. He is brave, because he doesn’t know what Jean Valjean might do. But maybe the strongest demonstration of the Scout law is his courtesy and kindness.
It is easy to be courteous to “good” people, but do we have what it takes to be courteous to everyone? It is also easy to be kind to “good” people, but do we have what it takes to be kind to everyone?
Here is another point that is harder to understand. “A Scout is thrifty.” According to the Bishop’s understanding of what is important in this world, he was being “thrifty.” It’s not the kind of “thrift” we usually think about, but if you agree with th