“Cross-Country and the Cross” By Rachael Flanagan, Fiat Venture
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Running cross-country is the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to crucifixion. I think that’s why it has “cross” in the name. Okay, I know that might seem a harsh statement – but seriously – have you ever tried long distance running? Their logo is “my sport is your sport’s punishment.” It is not uncommon for runners to vomit, pass out or lose control of…other bodily functions. It’s rough. My first cross-country race in high school was pretty memorable, from what I can remember of it, that is…
(Cue wavy dream sequence boarder as we go back in time…)
It was a sunny, 90 degree day at Brewer Park in West Michigan, and I was actually tearing it up in 7th place out of one-hundred-some girls. I thought I was in pretty good shape since I had packed in the protein with steak for breakfast. (Among other things, I would soon learn that steak for breakfast was the wrong thing for breakfast.) I remember pumping it through the field, picking off one girl after another as my leg muscles screamed and the stagnant heat bore down on me like a wool blanket in the middle of August. Eventually, the wool blanket became heavier and heavier and it began to feel like I was running through cement and breathing in knives. I was very determined to finish the race and make my coach proud, so I pressed on, even though every fiber of my being was begging me to stop, and at a certain point, I couldn’t see anything anymore. I actually remember moving forward in what felt like animated slow motion, totally unable to see where I was going but trying to push on…
And then I woke up. I saw green grass. I’m at camp, I thought. Are we heading to the high ropes course?” The last thing I remembered at that moment was being at 5th grade camp. Then I noticed all of my teammates standing over me, including Matthew Brian, the guy I’d had a crush on since forever. And that’s when I threw up on his shoes and the ambulance took me away.
(Wavy dream sequence boarder dissolves…)
Though still somewhat traumatized from this event, the second reading today calls this episode to mind. Hebrews 12:1-4 compares persevering in running a race to persevering in the Christian life and avoiding sin. This is an excellent comparison because as hard as long distance running is, resisting temptation or persevering in doing what is right can feel just as difficult. “Let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.” This race is called high school. It’s also called college, dating, soul-searching, all the easy and tough decisions you’ll ever have to make…in short, the race is our LIFE. The scripture tells us to keep “our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfector of faith,” who endured the pain of crucifixion and now sits on a throne with God the Father in Heaven.
Just like in a race when we fix our eyes on the finish line and do whatever it takes to get there, we need to realize that Heaven is the ultimate finish line. Whatever it is you might be struggling with, whether it’s peer pressure with drinking, staying pure in your relationship with your boyfriend/girlfriend, or avoiding gossip or “locker room talk” – chances are it’s a tough struggle. Hebrews reminds us that Jesus struggled too; he was even mocked and ridiculed as he carried his cross. The author actually challenges us with the observation “in your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.” This is to say that – yeah – it’s difficult! But don’t tell me you don’t have more to give in your perseverance against sin. The second reading, just like my cross-country coach, urges us to “dig deeper,” keep our eyes on the finish line and not be afraid of the pain it takes to win the victory. Oh, and don’t eat steak before you run a race.