Readings for June 28-29, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
By Fr. Edward Looney | For On Mission
The words of our second reading have been a favorite of mine throughout life. “I have competed well; I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”
During college and major seminary, I used to run and raced in 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons. When I would finish a run, I’d repeat those words: I have competed well; I have finished the race.
As St. Paul writes these words to Timothy, he does so at the end of his life and missionary journey. He knows that he does not have much longer until he is with the risen Lord and savior who appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Looking back over his life, he says my departure is at hand, I have competed well, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
He did compete well. When he was persecuting Christians, he was losing the race, he was not competing well. By coming to faith and sharing the Christian faith, he began to win, and win he did.
He won, but, even more importantly, he won souls for Christ, and they started winning, too. And not only did St. Paul win, but Jesus won, too. When people living immoral lives turned to Christ and received forgiveness, Jesus won.
In another letter, St. Paul described all that he endured for the sake of the Gospel — arrests, shipwrecks, beatings, etc. Even with all that he endured, he kept the faith. His life becomes an example to all of us, to not give up when troubles befall us, but to cling to the faith and hope we have in Jesus Christ.
As we grow older, we begin to live a more reflective life. At the end of a year, we look back and see what we have accomplished. At the end of a month, we treasure the memories made. When I speak with individuals who know they are nearing the end of their life, they share the things that brought them joy and sometimes they share regrets, too.
Hearing what St. Paul says to Timothy reminds us all to live a more reflective life. Ask yourself: if today were your last, what would you write to those you love?
Could you echo Paul’s words? If not, what needs to change so you can live with the same confidence, freedom and faith?
Fr. Edward Looney serves as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano, and priest celebrant at St. Martin of Tours in Cecil. He has a new Substack, Mary and the Pope (maryandthepope.substack.com).
The readings for Sunday, June 29, can be found at Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles | USCCB