Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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.  Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

We are not alone in our struggle against sin. There is a cloud of witnesses from the Patriarchs of the Old Testament to the saints of our times, who are all praying for us. They also provide us with an example of how to resist evil and do good no matter what. In their lives they rid themselves of every burden and sin that clung to them and persevered till the end of their earthly race. They kept their eyes fixed on Jesus and endured their crosses. We would do well to imitate them just as they imitated Jesus and His Mother. So, let us take our inspiration from these witnesses, be willing to suffer for the sake of holiness, and one day join God in Heaven. 

Do we call upon the saints for help when we need it? How can we live in imitation of the Jesus as the saints did in their lives? Are we willing to resist sin to the point of shedding our blood for the glory of God and the good of others?

O Lord, thank you for the example of your holy and selfless life and the lives of your saints.

Amen.