Weekly Message November 1, 2026

Beloved brothers and sisters,

This Sunday is Marathon Sunday in New York City, a day when thousands of runners take to our streets, each with a different story, a different reason for running, and a different finish line in mind. Some have trained for months. Some will struggle through every mile. And some will surprise themselves with what they are capable of accomplishing. But every one of them has to make the same decision: to keep going.

There is something deeply spiritual about that.

Saint Paul reminds us that we are running a race of faith, one that requires endurance, discipline, and perseverance. Our life in Christ is not a sprint. It is a journey. There are days when our faith comes easily and days when it takes real effort. There are moments when we feel encouraged and moments when we feel challenged. What matters is that we keep moving forward, trusting that God is with us every step of the way.

And I know that sometimes, in my sermons or when I write to you on a Friday, my words may feel like a challenge. Perhaps some of you have even wondered whether Father is encouraging us or reprimanding us again! I promise you, the goal is never to make anyone feel inadequate or to suggest that we are not doing enough. The goal is to remind us of what we are capable of becoming, both individually and together. Sometimes encouragement sounds like a gentle word, and sometimes it sounds like a coach reminding us that we still have another mile in us.

Because I believe in this community. I believe in the people who make up our Cathedral, in our families, our children, our ministries, and in the future we are building together. And I believe that God is calling each of us to keep growing, keep participating, keep loving, and keep moving closer to Him.

Nobody runs a marathon perfectly. Nobody runs every mile without getting tired. And none of us lives our faith without stumbling along the way. The important thing is that we don’t give up on ourselves, on one another, or on the work God has entrusted to us.

So this Marathon Sunday, let’s take inspiration from those runners filling our streets. Keep showing up. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep investing in your spiritual life and in our community. Celebrate how far we have come, while remaining excited about how far we can still go.

And remember, the finish line is not about being better than someone else. It is about becoming the person God created us to be.

Keep running the race. Keep the faith. And let’s finish strong, together.

With love in Christ,