... a different sort of winning. I read a story about a boy named Joey who ran in the Special Olympics several years ago. As it turned out, there were only two competitors in Joey's event. When the race started, Joey took the lead quickly, leaving the other boy in the dust. When Joey noticed his lead, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

What happened next impacted everyone in the stands and stirred their hearts. What happened next is a fine lesson about love, a true witness of support, and an excellent example of a rare champion who helps us consider another paradigm of winning.

That day, young Joey stopped, turned around, and with determination ran backwards putting his arm around his lagging opponent. Then Joey joyously helped the other runner complete the race with him. They crossed the finish line together, arm in arm, with the other arm raised giving the victory sign.

Witnessing this amazing event, the crowd jumped to their feet giving the boys a standing ovation. The announcer of the event said, "It looks like Joey wanted the other runner to be a winner, too." Joey didn't have to come out on top. He wanted others to win along side him.

Joey is the champion whose thoughtfulness challenges us to help others become winners. He encourages us to look beyond ourselves. My prayer is that we as a community become more like Joey. That we can stop on the racetrack of life and look behind to see to whom we can extend a hand, with whom we can connect, or whom we can encourage. Who can we reach out to support with the love of Christ? We need to look back and link up arm to arm as we run the race of life with others crossing the finish line as winners together. It's about walking side by side with God and one another.

This different kind of "winning" requires much practice and endurance. We must focus less on our self and more on the needs of others. The ultimate example is that of our Lord Jesus Christ who continually reaches towards us with love, compassion and forgiveness. Because of His love for us, Christ died to save us, giving us the eternal prize to share in heaven. His choice was a resounding proclamation to the world saying, "I want you to win, even if it costs me My life."

The source and end of all things is God's love (1 John 4: 8, 16). St. John Chrysostom describes the all-embracing love of the incarnate God in a homily on the Gospel of St. Matthew: "I am a father for you [says Christ] and a brother, a bridegroom and a home, a nurse and a dressing, a root and a cornerstone. Whatever you want, I am for you. My desire is that you have no need whatsoever. I shall serve you; for I came not to be served, but to serve. I am a friend and a member and a head, a brother and a sister and a mother. I am everything for you. Just stay in communion with me. I have been poor for you and a wanderer for you, on the cross and in the tomb for you."

I ask that you search your soul and ask how you will contribute to the lives of others, our Holy Apostles community and especially how you will be in relationship with our loving Lord. Let us run the race toward salvation, arm in arm seeking first the kingdom of God.

Fr. Tom