Word to the Wise
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - Fourth Tuesday in Ordinary Time
[Hebrews 12:1-4 and Mark 5:21-43]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.
All athletes can tell you that there's nothing like having "the crowd on your side." This is not just for the noise they make to distract one's opponents, but more importantly it is for the energy and support their presence gives in the competition and effort. The same is true in matters of faith. A supportive community is essential. Students who attend small church colleges uniformly speak of the value of being in a community that is supportive. In addition, we may have our heroes and heroines in the faith - perhaps people we've never met but have read about. They may be still alive or even deceased. All these folks form a network of support and encouragement in faith. Theologically we call them the "Communion of Saints." The Letter to the Hebrews is trying to encourage believers to persevere in the effort to live a good Christian life. It points to all the heroes and heroines who have gone before and whose lives serve as inspiration. Of course, the first of these is Jesus, but many others from the Old Testament are mentioned. We could make up our own lists. Outside my office window I can see the cemetery of the Kentucky Dominican sisters. Instead of it being a sad sight (and site) it is an inspiration to me. I feel the same when I visit our own provincial cemetery at Rosaryville in Louisiana. Yes, some of them were "characters" (and the same will be said of me someday, I'm sure - if not already!) but they ran the race and kept the faith. I draw strength too from my friends and family whose faith is strong. It is for them that I try to keep my own strong. It all gives meaning to those words, "so great a cloud of witnesses!" They help me to "run the race that lies before me." AMEN
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
65 ms
4
