Salutations! How are you today? On this date back in 1984 in the City of Angels - that is to say Los Angeles, California - it was the opening day of the Summer Olympics. While I was not born until December of 1985 I have seen archival footage of the Olympic Games from LA and it seemed like an impressive occasion for folks from all over the world to showcase their athletic abilities. For the opening ceremonies, there was a musical medley of various styles that included a rendering of “When the Saints Go Marching In” (latimes.com).
Perhaps I’m overly idealistic or even a bit naïve but the Olympic Games - especially the opening ceremonies - remind me of the biblical passage, “After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue” (Revelation 7:9). While John the Evangelist was speaking about his mystical experience of the Heavenly Kingdom I think that there are anticipations which we can have before then.
In the proverbial race of life on Earth we are exhorted by St. Paul as to how we are to behave: “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). We press onward and strive with God’s Grace at work within our hearts and souls so as to be included in that great multitude of Heaven.
As another inspired author of Sacred Scripture put it, “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” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Just as thousands of people from all over the world gathered in the Olympic Stadium in Los Angeles on this day thirty-eight years ago, so too do we hope to be included in the Heavenly Stadium at the end of our life’s journey.
