Septuagesima Sunday AD 2025
One of the most sublime moments in the history of the Olympics took place in Barcelona in 1992. The British sprinter Derek Redmond won the first round of the 400-meter race with the fastest time and was on course to win his quarter-final. Unfortunately, 250 meters before the finish, his hamstring tore. He tried to run on, but the pain was so intense that it was almost impossible. Seeing this, his father ran to him, despite the efforts of security guards and officials to stop him. Derek later recalled that his father told him: “You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to put yourself through this.” But Derek insisted. He had to finish. “Well, then,” his father said, “we’re going to finish this together.” He put his son's arm around his neck and walked him to the finish line, holding him tightly.
Thirty years later, after his father’s death, Derek wrote in his memory: “There is so much I could say about this man. He was truly one of my heroes in life. Anyone who knows me or has heard me present will know how much he inspired me in my life, how close we were and what he meant to me.”
Saint Paul writes in today’s Epistle: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” It is true that in sports and many other areas of life, everyone often must stand up for themselves. But in doing so, we should not lose our humanity or forget what is truly important – especially when we are competing for a corruptible crown, there are so many things that are more important than that.
When we are competing for an incorruptible crown, we must take seriously St. Paul’s admonition to be “temperate in all things” and “bring our body into subjection”. However, in doing so, we should not forget that we are not alone in our race – for we have a Father who sees our pain and suffering, who understands our struggles and failures, and has come to our aid by His grace. When we finally reach the finish line, it is not so much our work as His, who strengthens us and, if necessary, carries us, until one day we may receive the incorruptible crown of life.