MOSAIC Fall 2022 | Page 39

HERE AT THE HEART legs shutting down and I knew that if I wanted to make it to the finish line , I would need to slow down and mix in some walking in the process . Although this was not part of the original plan , I had to adapt with my end goal in mind .
The same principle operates in our spiritual life . Our goal is heaven ( Philippians 3:20 ). And in this life we ( ought to ) do the things that will lead us there , and avoid the things that won ’ t . Sometimes this is easy and sometimes this is hard , but always being aware of our heavenly destiny , we adapt as necessary to press on toward the goal before us ( Philippians 3:14 ).
COMMUNITY
Even though I signed up for this race on my own , the whole way through I was surrounded by an encouraging community . Two of my deacon brothers were also running that weekend and in the weeks leading up to race day we were often checking in on each other , sharing both struggles and tips . It was an encouragement to know that I wasn ’ t doing it alone .
On race day , the whole race route was peppered with encouraging community . People lined the streets , cheering us on even though we were complete strangers to most of them . Fellow runners were extremely encouraging to one another especially when they saw someone slowing down or stopping for a necessary stretch break . More than once , when I felt that my body couldn ’ t go any further , I was able to keep running simply because I was around others who were also struggling and pushing through with me .
By far , the most emotional part of the race was the home stretch and finish line . As I rounded the final corner and faced the last 100 meters , I was met with a cheering crowd of people , applauding us as one by one we crossed the seeminglyelusive finish line . As I crossed , I was met by volunteers who waited with joy for each marathoner : they gave personal congratulations and hung a finisher medal around the neck of each runner .
Without a doubt , running my marathon has shed light on my spiritual life in very concrete ways .”
— Deacon Dan Ramos
Many of these volunteers were past marathoners themselves , and so they personally knew the hard work and struggle it took to achieve such a goal , as well as the profound joy in crossing that finish line . Making it to the finish line , after wondering for so long if it was even possible , made me quite emotional .
The spiritual life is meant to be lived communally . We affirm , encourage and challenge one another . We struggle together and hold one another up . Jesus called us , not only as individual disciples , but as a community of disciples in the Church , growing in holiness and going out on mission together . And we ’ re all headed for the same finish line — heaven . Our brothers and sisters who have gone before us , the Saints , cheer us on as we follow their steps and pursue our true home ( Hebrews 12:1-2 ). And if crossing the marathon finish line was emotional , then I can ’ t even begin to imagine what it would be like to enter into heaven , with all the Saints meeting us with joy and Jesus himself welcoming us in .
The Letter to the Hebrews says , “ Persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus ” ( Hebrews 12:1-2 ). As disciples of Jesus , we persevere in running this race called the Christian life . May we run well , run together , and one day make it across the finish line into our heavenly home . shms . edu 39