Thursday 16th of October
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12: 1-4
When Paul wrote today’s letter to the Hebrews, he saw a people in danger of abandoning their Christian faith, not because of persecution from outsiders, but from a weariness with the demands of Christian life. We, too, can experience these struggles, because the Christian life is not one of comfort and ease. It is a race that requires training, strength, perseverance and fidelity. We need to strengthen ourselves through prayer, time with God, the sacraments, and the intercession of the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ – Mary and the saints – in order to run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
What is the unique race God has asked me to run? How do I train and strengthen my body and soul for my own eternal life? We can speak to Jesus about this today, for he is the pioneer and perfector of our faith, always willing us on.