Life's Marathon ~ Msgr. Daniel Hoye

Readings for today's Homily

In the Boston Marathon, there’s a stretch in Newton that is called Heartbreak Hill.  It’s a tradition that lots of people will gather there, bystanders, not running the marathon, who will cheer on the runners to give them encouragement to keep going and not to give up.  That image came to my mind when thinking about the feast day we have today for St. Barnabas, where it’s noted that he encouraged believers to keep going.  In fact, in other sections of scripture, we’re told that Barnabas is a name that means “son of encouragement.”

Perhaps we can be aware of those who are encouraging us in our life journey, that maybe we’re in a low period and need to hear and accept the encouragement of others.  Or on the other hand, we could be those who encourage others, not to despair but to hope, and to trust, and to believe.  It’s a marathon that we’re all running, and we need each other.