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Campus Ministries: Catholic Ministries

PERSEVERANCE

It is one thing to start something, it is quite something else to complete it. How many projects are begun with enthusiasm, only to be set aside unfinished. But there is one task that we have all begun and need to see through to the end: continuing to grow into the beautiful people that God sees in each of us

I'm running the race in order to grab hold of the proze if possible, since Jesus Christ has grabbed hold of me. Sisters and brothers, I don't think of myself as having reached the finish line. I give no thought to what lies behind, but I push on to what is ahead. My entire attention is on the finish line as I run toward the prize - the high calling of God in Christ.

Phil 3:14

My friend Jim once said that what he admired in me was my perseverance. He was referring to my long years of service in the South Bronx. But Jim was only seeing in me a reflection of the heroic perseverance that was soon to be revealed in himself. I was a glowing candle along side the blazing sun.

Jim taught physical conditioning to firefighters in New York City. He told me that sometimes recruits would enter the fire academy with massively sculptured bodies. But with no endurance. They would have trouble carrying a few shopping bags two blocks. Firefighters need to be able to wear and carry heavy equipment up many flights of stairs under adverse circumstances for extended periods of time. As part of his training, Jim would yell out to the recruits: "What do we need?" They would respond as one: "Endurance, sir!" Endurance is a prerequisite for perseverance.

Jim was a triathlete. He had also run numerous marathons, and some fifty miles races as well. Once a week, after mellowing out his body with a heavy workout in the gym, he would visit a hospital for paraplegics. It was there that Jim made a special friend. Roger was completely paralyzed, mute, and helpless. Day and night he lay in the fetal position, softly moaning in pain. Jim would speak with him gently.

After he had been visiting Roger for years, one day Jim learned from the hospital staff that, before his illness, Roger too had been a runner. Thereafter, during their visits, Jim would talk to him about running. Roger's eyes would sparkle. Jim told Roger that he was preparing for the Police-Firefights' Race. He said he was going to dedicate the race to Roger. Jim trained like never before and gave the race everything he had. He did his best time ever, and won a medal.

Jim brought the medal with him on his next visit to the hospital. Roger's eyes glistened as Jim described the race. Jim told Roger that he had helped Jim to do so well. As Jim had pressed his body the pain had gotten tough. But Jim thought of Roger and his endurance under constant pain, and that gave Jim the courage to persevere to the end. Then Jim took the medal and put it around Roger's neck. He said, "Roger, you deserve this more than I do. You're the real Enduro. And I know you are going to take it right to the finish line." Roger's eyes welled up with tears.

That was the last time Jim was to see Roger alive. A few days later, medal around his neck, Roger completed his race. Jim told me that he wasn't sad at Roger's death. As a runner gets near the finish, his body is racked with pain. But once he crosses that line he feels wonderful. He said that Roger had suffered a lot towards to end of his life. But now that he had crossed the finish line, Jim knew he was happy in heaven.

Run so as to win. Athletes strictly discipline themselves. They do this to win a perishable crown, but we to win an imperishable one. That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches. No, I drive my body and discipline it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

1Cor 9:24ff

I write this reflection on the first anniversary of the day on which Jim himself, after enduring much pain, crossed the finish line. Months before he had learned that his 6' 6" frame was being eaten away by cancer. When I was last able to visit him, Jim was slumped into an easy chair. Gone were his once powerful muscles. The cancer had gnawed away his neck bones so that his head drooped badly. But when he spoke to me he raised his eyebrows so that he could see me. And I could see, brighter than ever, his reassuring smile, the sparkle in his eyes, the radiant beauty of his soul. He told me that, from within his decaying body, he was watching and observing everything, trying to learn these final lessons that God wanted to teach him.

In more ways than I can enumerate, this gentle giant of a man has been my graced teacher, my hero. My heart's desire is to run the race to the end as gracefully as Jim did. Like Jim and Roger, may we continue to love and support one another along the way. May we endure life's pain with courage and perseverance, til God brings us successfully across the finish line. May we too receive our medal, reserved for those who have lived life well.

I have done my best: I have finished the race; I have kept faith. Now the crown of victory awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award me on the Day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.

2 Tm 4:7f

Ronald Stanley, O.P.

For additional articles relating to this topic see:

TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE

AFFIRM YOUR NEIGHBOR

YOU GOT AN ATTITUDE?

WHY DOES GOD LET PEOPLE SUFFER?

EVERYONE HAS THEIR STORY

I NEED TO PRAY

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