Please read the passage above before reading the commentary.
I enjoy watching Cross Country meets. The fans, the families and the spectators cheer on the runners. They cheer the leaders for their victories. They likewise cheer those who come in last for their perseverance. No one boos the other teams.
We come to church to celebrate Mass just as we come to cross country meets. We cheer on the rest of the believers so that we can give glory and thanks to the Father through his Son Jesus Christ. We need each other. No one can celebrate Mass or give thanks to God alone, without all the rest.
We need the rest for Mass just as we need the fans for cross country. Like the cross country runners, we together with the rest, are running towards the Father. Together we can run all he way to the finish line of the race.
We are Surrounded by the crowd of believers, our ancestors of times long past and our more recent ancestors. All the Church, those in heaven and those likewise on earth cheer us on. We are not alone. We can run united as a team to the Father.
Look at the faith of Jesus. As a man, he did not know the future. He did not know for certain he would rise after his death. He went to his death, confident in the promises of the Father that he would save him. Through his reverence to the Father, his Father did save him. The faith of Jesus is the example of what our faith should be.
Faith is confidence in God, our relationship with God. Since God is God and we are human, God has promised to remain with us always and never abandon us.
With joy we run, like strong athletes, the racecourse to God, confident in the faith, that with God and the rest of the runners we can make it to the goal as winners.