Running Buddy

If you don’t know me, then it is worth explaining that I am the middle through a “weightloss journey” as they call it. So far I have lost 54 pounds, but there is still more to go! In addition to changing my eating habits, I also hit the gym several times a week. At the gym, one thing I like to do is the elliptical. Though it is hard work, it feels worth it. To get through it, I pray. Recently, I ran in a 5K. I had a similar prayer that day.

I was very excited and surprised that I placed 2nd in my division.I never expected this. Really. Not in a millions years did I ever dream I would place in any running competition. I was elated to win, but also quite shocked, but my running buddy always helps.

Who is this buddy that stays with me on the elliptical? It’s Jesus. Starting in Lent this year, I started running through the Stations of the Cross in my head each time I get on the elliptical. The boredom and fatigue make me want to stop even though I can do it. With Jesus, I am able to keep going. I cannot stop until he does, after 14 agonizing stations.

I know that my many jaunts on the elliptical and even the 5K are nothing compared to what He went through for us, but it gives me strength to think about his passion as I am in an extremely miniature passion of my own.

How is the Stations of the Cross helpful to me? Well, the first station is where Jesus is condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. Here I may think about the task ahead of me – running, but more often, I think of the struggles that I and others are currently dealing with. Physical and mental illnesses, deaths, job loss, addiction and alcoholism, terrorism, abuse, neglect, sexual assault, etc. One or all of these may cross my mind in any of the various stations or I may think of them as I think of Pilate. As I go through the stations, I remember how Jesus fell three times. I, too, fall. So do my friends and family members. The important thing is that we get back up again. As I run to the 4th Station, I think about Mary. I think of my Our Mother loves us and how she loves our Lord. She gave him strength to carry on and she steps forward to be our mother, too, if we ask her, giving us the same strength. While I run with Jesus, Mary is always there in the cheering section, spurring me on. I love stations 5 and 6 – Simon of Cyrene and Veronica. I try to live my life as a life of service and these two stations exemplify that better than others, in my opinion. Sometimes when I run with the Stations, I think of myself as Jesus, but other times, I am Jesus’ companions along the way. I can even be both sometimes. Through Simon and Veronica I remember that others are there to help me, but also that I am there to help others, even if they seem to have more going for them than I do. Even Jesus asked for help, so even when there seems to be nothing to do, we can at the very least pray or give the gift of presence, just walking beside another. He can offer comfort as Veronica did. As I pass Veronica’s station, Jesus falls a couple of more times and he meets the women of Jerusalem. The agonizing journey is more than halfway through (as is my run), but there is still more to go. As the trial of the run sets in, so does the vulnerability of being stripped, the pain of the nails. But, if Jesus can do this much, surely I can do just a little. This is so much less than what he went through. I continue to run. Our Lord dies. But, this doesn’t mean we are done. Sometimes, I think of the sins I am carrying with me. They are dying as He forgives me. Other times, I think of the suffering in this world. This will come to an end as we enter into God’s kingdom. Jesus is taken down. When I reach this station, I know I am almost done. Even when He is dead, Mary, Mary Magdalene, and John accompany Him. They mourn this loss and hold onto His body. No matter what we want to do, we will always have the love and protection of God and others in our lives. Even when we feel alone and all hope is lost, the return to a better life, is just around the corner just as Jesus’ Resurrection is imminent. Finally, the 14th station, Jesus is laid in the tomb. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea are there along with the others. Sometimes, when you have a loss or hardship, you never know who will come out to help you. Sometimes, when others have a loss or hardship, you must be there to help them. We are all called to be a servant as Jesus was. But Jesus, too, was served.

Christianity is not just yourself and God. Like the cross, the mission of a Christian points upward to God as well as outward to our brothers and sisters. These is exemplified in Christ’s passion. If we run with Jesus, he help us succeed. Trust me, I placed in a race and this near miraculous!