The Most Amazing Race

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, August 17th, 2025:
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

---

Hebrews
12.1-4 

​Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the Cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider Jesus who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

This passage reads like a pep talk before a big game, or in this case, a big race. First, the author makes us acknowledge that we are not alone but are “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” These are the other people running the race with us and alongside us, AKA our faith community. I interpret this race as the challenge to live a Christian life in a world that continuously tries to break our relationship with God. Being reminded that I am not alone in this challenge is inspiring, and by surrounding myself with others who are trying to “win” this race, I find myself convicted to do the same. 

The author acknowledges that we will need perseverance in this challenge and that sin will try to weigh us down. I have felt that weight before, as if I am running with an extra 10 pounds on my back. It makes me feel unmotivated and that the race is not worth running. However, we have the role model of one human man who ran a perfect race: Jesus. While on this Earth He committed no sin, being the “pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” The grand prize of this race is to be united with God in heaven. This would be unachievable without Jesus’ sacrifice, and so He embraced the cross “for the sake of the joy that was set before him.” To me, this is referencing the joy we receive when living according to God’s will, and the eternal joy we will have in heaven. Our joy was worth dying for. 
​
The author’s final words remind us that when the race feels impossible, we must look to Jesus. It is humbling for us to remember that while our suffering may be significant, He suffered the most so that we do not have to. Jesus, I run the race for You.




Ronnie Noonan-Birch​

---