This Week
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
18/10/2026
October is the month of the Holy Rosary
Run in such a way as to get the prize
Dear Friends,
Last weekend I ran the Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon – a huge event for 18,000 runners. I am not a natural runner, I had to put some effort into training. The first two half marathons I ran, I realised I was not properly prepared because I ran out of steam before the end. This is when the community spirit at these events really kicks in. This time I was going for it, so my training pro-gramme was 3 runs a week, and when in Wales, running to the nearest hill, fast climb up, run down and the long way back on the road. In the event I ran all the way and beat my 2 hours 30 minute target.
All this training and preparation made me think of this passage in scripture from St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians 9:24-27.
”Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one will receive the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well I do not run aimless-ly, I do not box as one beating air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”.
St Paul is using an athletic metaphor to describe our Christian lives, emphasizing the discipline, endurance, and focus required to live faithfully for God. It is therefore important that we put as much effort into preparing ourselves spiritually and living our lives by following Christian values and always being disciples in Christ so that we may win the imperishable wreath – the eternal reward.
More information and photographs an be found here: https://cafod.org.uk/news/blogs/run-in-such-a-way-as-to-get-the-prize
Thank you all for your generous support and encouragement.
Deacon Peter
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