Lets run this race!

Well... we have almost reached the end of the first month of 2008. For me it went uncomfortably fast!!

Group meetings are becoming more frequent, and pastoral preparation sessions are starting to take off, which is great.

This month I have been reflecting upon how sometimes in our lives we encounter setbacks and obstacles. These can be as simple as havng work when our WYD group is having a meeting, or as complicated as crashing our car and not having a method of transport. There are SO many things that can make life hard and difficult, but that is exactly what makes life LIFE!!

It is a real challenge to our human nature, especially in this day and age, to accept things that go wrong. It is a real challenge to find solutions for all the worries and problems that we experience. But the real challenge is to be joyful in our sufferings and continue praising the Lord for the life we have.

With the preparation for WYD you are going to be busy. With school starting, and jobs coming back from holiday, you are going to be tired. But I urge you to accept the challenge Christ places before us and run the race to the end.

"Therefore, 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 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. 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."
Hebrews 12.1-2

Good luck

In Christchurch we are looking forward to many things in the coming months. Firstly, on the 17th of February there is a Youth Mass in the Cathedral, to which all are welcome. Hope to see you there!!!