Play Like a Champion Today

In today’s second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews we heard, “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” 

These are very motivating words, they are also words of great encouragement.  The words are motivating because they challenge us to persevere in running the race.  Our faith is like a race, for some it’s a short distance race, for others a long one, and still for others somewhere in between.  A race, nevertheless it is.  What does a race feel like, well, it can be tiresome and physically draining regardless of what shape a person is in.  Effort is needed for a race and to run it well one needs maximum effort.  So too with our faith, are we running it well, are we giving maximum effort.

When I began as a coach I realized that to be successful we would have to give maximum effort all the time even in practice.  This could become draining and eventually take its toll so the race if you will would have to have purpose and meaning.  And what race could have more purpose and meaning than that of the Christian life?

Jesus is the one we are running to.  We run to Him in all things, regardless if they be sad moments or happy ones.  Our eyes should be fixed on the prize just like (and with even more) determination than a professional athlete has in winning a championship.

The other motivation is that we are not alone on our journeys.  We obviously have Jesus with us every step of the way, but as the Letter to Hebrews says, (we) “are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.”  The communion of saints cheers us on.  All of those who have gone before us, from heaven, “send a volley cheer on high.”(Notre Dame Victory March)  Isn’t good to know our loved ones who have gone before us pray for us and that they root for us in all things good.

St. Paul and all the Saints understood that faith was “fighting the good fight,” that fight is synonymous with running a race, there are times when we tire and fall down, there are other times we stop running because it becomes too difficult, there are other times when we run it very well, but that most important thing is that we finish and like St. Paul we to will be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim 4:7)