08/27/2025
Running Our Race For Life With Christ
In the summer of 1968, I was intrigued by the events that took place at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City in track and field. A marathon runner John Akhwari caught my attention. He represented the country of Tanzania.
At 19-kilometers into the race with 23-kilometers to the finish, he jockeyed for position with runners in the lead pack. Unfortunately, his leg was hit from behind. He tumbled to the ground badly injuring his shoulder and dislocating his knee. He got up from the ground in excruciating pain. Upon receiving medical attention, he continued to run, but barely. He eventually finished last among 57 competitors.
As he entered the Olympic stadium for his last mile, he received a standing ovation crossing the finish line. He immediately was placed on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital. On his way to the hospital his attending physician ask him, “Why didn’t you quit.”
His response was, “Because God and my country did not send me 7,000 miles to start this race, but to finish it.”
This weekend runners across the world emerged on Falmouth to finish a Road Race. Each runner will receive a medal for that accomplishment.
My friends in Christ, we to are competitors in a race as well. The race we run is one of faith that we hope leads us to eternal life with God. Each day brings us a new course to run. As we run God brings his divine intervention and grace for strength and courage to run again and again and again through turbulent and challenging moments.
Today the author of Hebrews reflects upon these words to describe this challenge; “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 a race that lies before us, while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.”
St Luke in today’s gospel focused on that great cloud of witnesses, those first runners in faith who were Jesus’ apostles. They ran their race after Jesus’ returned to His Father under extreme conditions, but they were able keep their eyes on the most valuable prize, Christ, and His gift of eternal life. We too have that same prize in mind as we run as Christians.
My friends, the prophets and saints who ran for eternal life before are cheering us now towards our destination, at the finish line in heaven.
Today’s message is simple but is a challenge for us runners. Separate yourself from sin, come to Christ for the divine support to withstand those people and crosses that separate you from at godless environment.
In today’s gospel, Jesus’ indeed put extreme emphasis on the word “fire”. He did this most likely Pope Benedict XVI says to show the disciples His passion of love, that He handed on to every runner who accepted the challenge to run for their lives eternally with Him. Whoever runs with Christ must be prepared to be burned by His love.
My fellow runners, Christ’ words are meant to set our hearts afire, with that same fire that similarly set Jeremiah to proclaim God’s ways are the only ways to the soldiers and people of Judah in today’s first reading.
God wants us to separate us from this world’s deadly distractions that bring us tribulation and trialing moments. He wants us to run with him without excessive baggage upon our shoulders. He wants us to run with him in faith, hope and charity with graces and His light to guide us each day.
As you run in faith this week remember to help other runners who fall on the racecourse, so they can proceed to run again with Christ. Care for those who may be injured of the racecourse, so they can finish their race towards eternal life. Pray for those runners who betrayed you on the racecourse, so they can find a holy alter where Christ can nourish them. Forgive those runners who doubt you on the racecourse, so that they may no longer doubt themselves. Pray for those who during trials, testing’s and tribulations who accuse you of these problems on the racecourse so that they can someday be runners in peace in this world.
My friends, Jeremiah preached words of peace, fire, and conviction that inflamed the king of Judah. Jesus preached words that of fire that inflamed his apostles to separate themselves from a godless existence. Hebrews proclaimed encouragement for us to finish the race we started.
My fellow runners in Christ, let’s finish our daily race each day, a race that God started for us on the day we were Baptized.
AMEN
John Akhwari and His Last Place Finish: The Source of One of ....jpeg
Conversing with Christ
Lord Jesus, you are the pioneer of our salvation. You lead the cloud of witnesses. Thank you for revealing the Father and his love for us through your life and suffering. I share in your death through my baptism and also in your resurrection. Purify me with the fire of your Spirit so that I may be a part of the cloud of witnesses one day and intercede for my brothers and sisters before the Father.
Living the Word of God
Who are the saints I ask to intercede for me? How do they inspire me by the example of their holy lives?
