Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 16-18. Jimmy was ready for the race of his life. His day had finally arrived. He was ready to compete at the peak of his ability and performance. As with any qualified athlete, his training had not begun on race day. It had started years ago when he committed his body to undergo a strenuous training program. Daily, he had stretched and lifted weights. He had spent hours running and running. He had disciplined his mind to eat only the right food. Many times during the process, he had wished for an easier, less painful training session and program.

Had Jimmy wanted to quit? I think almost always. Was it easy? Never. Then why did he do it? The absolute answer for it is, “He did it because he wanted to win the race.”

In this Sunday’s Second Reading, Saint Paul solemnly declares, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” Paul knew this was the end of his life. He encouraged Timothy to race along the good race of the faith. Paul’s own race was over. The race had been worthwhile, and he had raced well.

As Paul challenged Timothy, he also challenges each one of us today: “Are you properly preparing for the race of your life? Are you training and working out your salvation day by day? Are you even in the race? God wants you to be in his training program. It worked for me – and it will work for you.”

Eternal life is the crown that God has promised to those who love him. It is our ultimate reward. This is a race that we have to win. Although we presently experience some of the benefits of eternal reward, such as to be in intimate relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist, some day we will see him face to face and delve deeper into his love for eternity. Saint Paul ascertained this belief solemnly, “From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.”

In Roman athletic games, a laurel wreath was given to the winners. A symbol of triumph and honor, it was the most coveted prize in ancient Rome. This is probably what Paul was referring to when he spoke of a crown. Waiting for Paul, laid up for him, was a reward – the crown of righteousness. Like Paul, we are waiting here on earth to enter into our future reward of eternal life.

But we cannot wait for that up-and-coming reward in a dormant way – sitting there like a bump on a log. No, Paul asks us to race for it. To Paul, the Christian life is a never-ending pursuit of Christ. We are to enter into a deeper relationship with him day by day.

Although Paul knew Christ in the most intimate way, he did not pause to rest himself, but he was in hot pursuit of a greater knowledge of Christ. Paul ran to Christ with all his might, straining every spiritual brawn to win the prize. That ought to be our mindset as well. How much more should we endeavor to grow in our relationship to Christ?

Becoming like Christ is our most worthy goal in this life. This is why it requires a lifelong commitment, fervor, and exertion. Paul’s prize, and ours, is the very purpose God had in saving us. He saved us so that we might become like Christ. To win this prize, like Paul, we have to race in this grueling race.

The author of Hebrews encourages us to “rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us” (Hebrews 12:1). As Christians, there is only one race you and I ought to be running. And this one takes maximum effort using the means of grace God has provided for us.

If an athlete, like Jimmy in the story above, competing in a race stands any chance of winning, he must focus on the finish and avoid the distractions along the track. Likewise, we must concentrate on attaining the goal of Christlikeness, and not get distracted by worldly attractions and temptations.

As a runner approaches the starting line, he does not desire to look back. A good runner is always reaching forward to what lies ahead. To run like that, we’d better forget the past, and zoom in on the goal ahead. To effectively pursue Christ, we must focus all our concentration on becoming like him.

Saint Paul fought the battles, ran the race, and guarded the faith because of his love for Christ. He did so because he longed for the day when he would be like him completely. The more we love Jesus, the more we love to be like him.

And so, the goal of our life as a Christian is to love Christ and in loving him to become like him. That is what happens when we have an intimate relationship with someone. For example, after many years together, husbands and wives begin to take on each other’s character qualities. Similarly, the same thing happens as we pursue Christ. The more we look to him, the more his characteristics become our characteristics.

Think about this for a moment: What motivates you on your journey to heaven? For some, the answer is point-blank – they do not want to go to hell. Saint Paul had a far more mature reason for wanting to go to heaven. He knew that the Lord Jesus Christ would be there waiting for him. And when he got to heaven, he knew that he would be accepted by God.

A young man, having studied violin under a great master, was giving his first recital. Following each number, despite the cheers of the crowd, the boy seemed dissatisfied. Even after the last number, with the shouts louder than ever, the boy stood watching an old man in the top balcony. Finally the old man smiled and nodded approval. Immediately the young man relaxed and beamed his happiness. The plaudits of the crowd meant nothing until he had won the approval of the master.

We are the disciples of Jesus Christ. We anticipate a crown awaiting us in heaven – our eternal reward for service. The temporary applause of people will never satisfy us like the eternal approval of God.

Home is the Christian’s focus because that is the end of the race. To encourage the Philippians in their pursuit of Christ, Saint Paul said, “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

Our preoccupation with heaven will direct our earthly responses. When we are preoccupied with heavenly things, we will view the things, people, and events of this world with an eternal perspective. As we keep our focus on the heaven, we will live out our heavenly values in this world to the glory of God.

No one can win a race with sporadic endeavor. In the same way, the finishing line of Christlikeness cannot be reached with intermittent effort. It is an ongoing pursuit. Just as a runner must stay in his lane and keep up the same effort until he reaches the finish, we must stay in line spiritually and keep moving forward toward the goal of Christlikeness.

Rev. Linh N. Nguyen