The "R. A. C. E."

"R" for "Reading". Reading refers to constantly learning more about my faith, about the teaching of the Church, about Christ and His plans, whether by reading books, listening to tapes, attending lectures and study circles etc. if I make no effort to learn Christ's point of view, I will end up adopting someone Else's point of view-the TV's, the newspaper's, my boss',my professor's? In our "age of information"' with Church teaching available from myriad sources, we have no excuse for not knowing what we believe.

"A" for "Apostolate". An "apostle" is someone who is "sent out" to perform a task. When we become followers of Christ we are given the all-important task to: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."(Mt. 28:19-2) If a cell is not reproducing, it is probably dying; if I am not bringing others closer to Christ, I am probably not close to Christ myself.

"C" is for "Cross". The Cross -suffering, sacrifice, self-denial- was Christ's chosen instrument to redeem the world, to reestablish communion between God and man. If self-denial and sacrifice(i.e. doing things God's way when I would prefer to do things some other way, accepting the trials he allows me to undergo even when they make my heart bleed) are not present in our lives, how can we stay close to Christ? As Christ put it: "Then he said to all, "If anyone one wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."(lk. 9-23)He didn't make it optional.

"E"for "Encouragement". We can't do it alone. There are no Christian "Lone Rangers" -at least, not for long. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them"(Mt. `18-2-). We need the encouragement of friends and companions who share our priorities, and we need the encouragement of those who are further along on the journey, who can guide and direct us.

In Short... If we frequent the sacraments, pray & fulfill the purpose for which God has created me then we can run the "RACE" in order to win.