The discipline it takes to be a successful athlete spills over into the spiritual life. Unless we strive to develop and maintain a well-ordered, disciplined and regular life of prayer to God we cannot advance in the spiritual realm. “Brethren: Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one!”
We should approach the spiritual life with a competitive spirit. We should beg God that nobody is getting ahead of us. We should ask God for the grace to pray our rosaries more attentively than the next person. We should ask God each day that we are counted among His favorites. We must be ready and willing to sacrifice. We must not let anything get in our way of our relationship with God. There will always be obstacles, failures and personal limitations, but we can never grow discouraged.
Saint Paul says: “…but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Even our most serious sins should not discourage us because we have God in the Sacrament of Penance to grow holier through forgiveness. How many times in scripture do we see Jesus Christ our Lord moved by a sinner’s repentance?
Furthermore, we must never take our efforts for granted. Saint Paul says: “Let no one feel assured of this gift with an absolute certainty, although all ought to have most secure hope in the help of God. For unless we are unfaithful to His grace, God will bring the good work to perfection, just as He began it, working both the will and the performance (Phil 2:13).” Saint Paul reminds us of the necessity of physical mortification and self-control. When we make the effort, God will always help us with His grace. This we must do to earn our “crown of righteousness.”
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
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