This past September was my US Naval Academy 50th Class Reunion. As part of that celebration, we had a memorial service. My class graduated and commissioned some 900 Naval and Marine Officers, all of whom went on to serve the nation; many of whom served a full career. One of the expressions from USNA was that “time and tide” wait for no one. Certainly, those two are inexorable and take their toll. 156 of my classmates did not survive life to make the reunion. They were remembered and honored at a Memorial Service in the beautiful Naval Academy Chapel.
Part of the ceremony was led by our Class alumni president, but part was given to one of the active duty Chaplain stationed at the Academy. He chose today’s first reading, from Hebrews 12, as the text and the source of his reflection. His theme to the assembled 550 graduates from the Class of 1974 was perseverance in running the race. Keep in mind, the assembled graduates were men in the 70s, most retired, all who served. We had done what was ours to do – and in speaking to fellow graduates, that sense of service followed them from active duties into the next phases of their lives. The values instilled in them let them persevere the assignments, deployments and attending separation from family, and not just persevere but to endure despite the outcome – be those successes or disappointments.
The Chaplains point was the measure of the outcome was not the success or disappointments – but the faithfulness with which we had discharged our duties and responsibilities. Over the years those we remembered and those present, were asked to remember in so many phases of life we are surrounded by the witness of classmates, graduates who have gone before us, families, friends, and so much more. How much more? For people of faith, we recall the words of today’s reading:
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 2 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.
The measure of the race is not outcome, achievement or the praise of men. The measure of the race is faithfulness. As believing Christians, did we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus – whatever the path we followed, whatever seas we crossed … Did we persevere in faith? Did we serve and persevere with honor fulfilling what was ours to do?
The 550 men present, those unable to be with us, and the 156 already passed into God’s bright glory – we are called to witness. We are called to inspire the generations to come, all for the greater glory of God.
Image credit: The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs | Fra Angelico | National Gallery Washington DC | PD via Wikimedia Commons