Pauline Reflections 06  - 6th September 2008

'I have fought the good fight I have completed the race.
I have kept the faith.' 2 Timothy 4:7

What great comfort these words should inspire in every Christian throughout life's journey! Each time I hear them at a funeral, they inspire me to do my utmost to live a fruitful life of witness and discipleship - and I hope they do for you too.

These words summarise Paul’s farewell speech. Paul considers life as a journey and death as an end that marks the beginning of our eternal life.. Death is that moment of departure from our journey on earth. Using here a figurative image drawn from the Grecian games, he sees himself as an athlete, who has just completed a race, coming off the field, feeling exhausted, but having given his very best.

Paul implies here that he has tried hard to live his life as a Christian, and now his race through life is coming to an end. A close look at Paul’s life reveals that he was steadfast in his faith and zealously gave his life as a  public witness to Christ and his gospel, in spite of every opposition, challenge, rejection and affliction he encountered.

His primary emphasis here is not so much on winning the race, as it is on finishing the race. The athlete is happy crossing the finishing line and not having fainted or suffered any injury or set back that would prevent him/her from completing the race. The Christian life therefore is not a competition to win and run better than others. It is a commitment instead to run all the way to the finish.  Paul kept this zeal and commitment to the finishing line.

Unfortunately today, some Christians will shy away from a life-long commitment to their Christian vocation, to married life, to priesthood and the religious life for fear of the future. Although the fear of the future can sometimes be worrisome, like St Paul we should learn to entrust the future to God’s hands and his providence, relying on his grace for each day.

 Prayer

God my heavenly Father, at the end of my journey through life, may I say courageously like St Paul, 'I have fought the good fight, I have completed the race. I have kept the faith'. May I be worthy to receive that crown of glory reserved for the elect who bore witness to you on earth. Amen.