Reflection for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2025

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Psalm 40; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12: 49-53

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us

and persevere in running the race that lies before us

When I am given clear directions and encouragement ahead of time, any anticipated ordeal becomes much less stressful. The author of Hebrews provides both clear directions and encouragement for us today, almost treating us as teammates in the Olympics of sanctity. The tone is very supportive and communal.

As pilgrims on earth, we need this reminder that we are surrounded by a cloud of heavenly witnesses, hopefully relatives and friends among them! Surely they are. Many who were dear to us have struggled in faith and led good, even heroic lives. The myriads of saints, both unknown and famous, have been cheering for us our whole lives.

To join the crowd in heaven we have to “rid ourselves of every burden and sin that cling to us” because we must be perfectly pure to enter into that purest of brilliant lights – the flawless love that is God Almighty, our Father and Supreme Good. We can do this, of course, because God called us from all eternity, in tender love, to Himself. We are baptized into love! Powered from above!

Since our baptism, we have perhaps let the “thorns” in our gardens–the cares and anxieties of life–slow down our progress in love (Matt. 13:22). Let us decide to get rid of every desire and anxiety that doesn’t assist us towards God and the heavenly friends awaiting us. Don Dolindo Ruotolo’s ‘Surrender Novena” can aid us in this path of freedom, which is perhaps new to us, but very consoling. It’s time to let go of what bogs us down.

Possessions can drag us down as well. Sometimes a friend can help us to literally “clean out” things we have collected but don’t really need. These are obstacles that need to be cleared away from our heavenly racecourse. We might say to ourselves, “Why do I need these old souvenirs when I am preparing for the biggest trip of my life?”

We have to persevere in running the race, like both the spiritual giants and the little people who have preceded us. There isn’t any time for clinging to pettiness or old resentments. These will break our stride or even cause us to fall. We have one direction in which to go, and one decision to make, perhaps over and over.

What about hurdles that might appear in the path ahead? There is no need to worry, “while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.”  In my novitiate at our Motherhouse one Sister often said with a smile, “No cross, no crown.” Yes, Jesus’ cross is always the answer, because He embraced it, suffered, and died, but He rose from it victorious and glorious.

“For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.

Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,

in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.”