December 10, 2004

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Cor 9:24)

The mile run is one of the toughest races for an athlete to run. It is considered a long distance race, yet the world’s best times are under four minutes. The athlete must strike a balance between starting off quickly and setting a sustainable pace. It is a test of will and strength, and all it takes is four laps around the track.

Advent is such a blessed season, yet sometimes it runs by us like an Olympic class runner. Sometimes we start out too strong and can not maintain what we started, or sometimes we start off too slow and try to do too much at the last second. Many have little time to maintain the Advent promises they started with, while others might not think too much about Advent at all. Whatever the case is, we are now nearing the third week in our race towards Christmas. We are running quickly, losing breath, perhaps even thinking about taking a little break, but we run so as to win the race! If you have ever seen a mile race you know that on the third lap usually the runners begin their ‘kick’. Everything they have left they put into the long strides to finish strong.

The third Sunday of Advent is approaching quickly. This is where we must renew our efforts to make our lives an offering to God. This is when we can whisper with intensity our love to God - as the secular media blitz intensifies.
“Lord, help me run the race. Help me, Lord, to renew my focus on you. The looming winter grows stronger; place your warmth in my heart that your heat may prepare it for your coming.”

Br. Agostino Miguel Torres, CFR
Seminarian, residing at St. Leopold Friary in Yonkers, New York
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