Acts 20:17-27 / John 17:1-11
Running a race on a track in the stadium and running a race over cross-country are obviously two very different things.
Besides wearing different types of shoes, the conditions are totally different.
No doubt, running a race over cross-country is certainly more challenging, with unpredictable terrain and obstacles that will break the rhythm of the run.
In the 1st reading, St. Paul described his mission as that of running a race. As in any kind of race, it is tiring as well as exhausting, and there is no stopping or giving up.
As it is also like a cross-country race, as he says that it was made clear to him by the Holy Spirit that in town after town, imprisonment and persecution awaits him.
For St. Paul, life is not a thing to waste words on, and that means that he was not going to complain or think about how difficult it was.
He would keep running and finishing the race of carrying out the mission of bearing witness to the Good News of God's grace.
So it is for us too, and our faith life is to be like a cross-country race, with unpredictable challenges and difficulties, as well as twists and turns.
But just as Jesus said in the gospel that He has glorified the Father by finishing the work that He was given to do, let us also keep running towards God and keep glorifying God as we run.
We must realize from what Jesus and St. Paul said, that our sufferings on earth cannot be compared to the glory that is waiting for us in heaven. With that we just have to keep running and praying.