It was my first time to run for 21 kilometers. “Hunat Sugbo,” organized
by Parklane Hotel last June 23, drew more than 2,000 runners. Together with some
friends, I registered for the event. The last distance run I had was 12 kilometers.
It took me an hour and 20 minutes. For this occasion, I outlined a personal
training. But I realized it was not enough because it took me 3 hours and 43
minutes. The route led us from Ayala to JY Square, traversing UP to Capitol, then
to Fuente Osmena, all the way to Banawa then back to Fuente, Capitol towards the
finish line in Ayala.
I had a smooth run from
gun-start until my 12th kilometer. My legs got tired at the 13th
with every step getting heavier. From then on I had to walk-run-walk at
intervals. The pain was not becoming less as I covered a greater distance. The
most difficult part of it all was the last 3 kilometer. That stretch from
Fuente Osmena to Capitol straight to the final lap was the hardest. I took to
walking. Some runners were doing the same. I felt I still have air and energy
but my muscle memory was at its limit. But just as I was about to complete my
last kilometer in a walking mode, a passer-by walked towards me in a bright red
shirt. On it is printed in big, bright letters: never give up! That timely reminder
gave me a push to end my run in style.
Running is a metaphor of
our life. We actually run towards the finish line. We need to keep pace and
never give up. And as we do, we obey certain given standards. There is no
short-cut in a distance run. Your lack of practice will show. When I got to the
finish line, a beautiful medal was awarded over my head. It was a souvenir for
my sacrifice. But a few were turned down. I was told they failed to complete
some stretches and cut corners. In running we don’t create our own maps or draw
our own distance. A one kilometer is a thousand meter step. Running then, involves
discipline and training. We obey certain natural laws to succeed. Following
them guarantees our physical fitness.
When God created the
world, He also included a moral dimension in it. He gave a purpose for
everything. He gave a standard for what is good and bad. A thing is good if it
attains the purpose for which it was made. My running shoes were good because
it brought me to the finish line. I saw someone among the crowd. He was running
barefooted because his shoes gave him blisters. It was better for him to run
without them. So man was created to run the course of his life and reach
heaven. Faith is his guide to go the distance. His reason sets the standard for
what is good or bad. Yet our reason has its limits because at times it can be
darkened by confusion, passion and doubt.
One great apostle we
celebrate this month is St. Thomas whose feast falls on July 3. In John’s Gospel,
he is notorious for being a doubter. Being absent at the first appearance of
Jesus, he declared: “unless I put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Thomas was a realist. He needed to investigate. Curiosity was the stuff God
made him to be. Through his skepticism, scientific inquiry about Jesus was
born. It was because he “touched” Christ’s wounded hand that made him realize Jesus
was indeed real and physical. His doubt confirmed the truth he believed all
along that He was the God-made-man who transcended the clutches of death. So he
made a most heartfelt confession “my Lord and my God!” The letter to the
Hebrews tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Thomas
showed exemplary faith. Moreover, his faith was illumined by reason.
It is a constant struggle for us to reach the
finish line. Along the way we are beset by temptations to abandon our goal. The
German writer Johann Goethe wrote “there is enough stuff in me to be both a
gentleman and a rogue.” We need to train our will to always choose those things
that will make us a “gentleman.” While we log on to the gift of faith, that
invisible power in our life, which will bring us farther than our own poor efforts
can carry.
(This article also appears in the Faith Section of Cebu Daily News, July 07, 2013)
No comments:
Post a Comment