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THE
P RTAL
August 2012
Page 8
London 2012
Following the mother of all build-ups, London 2012 is finally underway. In spite
of one or two minor hitches in preparations, the Games that we’ve been waiting seven years
to see are successfully out of the blocks, and unlike the value of G4S shares, the country’s
mood and sense of optimism about Team GB’s chances on home turf are high.
For lovers of sport
it does not get much
better than the next
two weeks; for the
less enthusiastic an
overseas holiday is
recommended. us and from the side-line is surely in
the home crowd urging us on: “I had
it tough too, remember. There may be
parts of the course that you don’t like;
you may be asking: Why is God taking
the course this way? but keep running.
The reward is worth it.”
the marathon Second, self-discipline
For an Ordinariate relatively fresh out
of the blocks one particular Olympic
event is perhaps worthy of some
reflection - the marathon, begun in
commemoration of the run of the Greek
soldier Pheidippides as a messenger from the Battle of
Marathon to Athens.
We need the self-discipline to get into
good shape: financially and structurally,
but most important, spiritually. If we are
looking flabby in parts, then it is time
to look at our diet, hit the tread mill
and tone up our muscles. In their desire to remove
any hindrance to their athletic success, the Ancient
Greeks not only beat the bulge and built their bodies
Every Christian discovers at some point in the into temples to rival any they erected with stone, they
race that what is required to reach the prize beyond actually ran naked!
the finish line is the stamina and endurance of the
With a mere 385 yards behind us it is time to pace
marathon runner, rather than the power and pace of
the sprinter. Power and pace are fine over 385 yards, ourselves for the long haul and be ready for the effort, the
but when there are 26 miles more of the marathon to sweat and the endurance needed to go the distance!
run, it’s time to change gear from Usain Bolt to Paula
Radcliffe.
“Pace Patience”
The Ordinariate is only 18 months old and in
that short time we have moved a long way, but I’m
beginning to realise that we need to treat this project
of the Ordinariate not as a sprint that will get quick
results, but as a marathon that requires what those
in the business call “Pace Patience”. To you and me
that loosely translates as: give it time and don’t rush
it. We’ve taken on something that requires us to work
over a long stretch of time with a sustained effort. 26.2
miles is not covered in a few minutes.
Any marathon runner will tell you that those who
make it to the finish line possess above all two things.
First, sustained motivation
Jesus, not General Synod, is our motivation for being
in the Ordinariate; and the unity of his Church. With
our eyes fixed on him as our finish line, we run with
endurance. The saints inspire and motivate us too.
Blessed John Henry Newman ran a similar race before
Show your support
for the Ordinariate
by wearing one of two attractive lapel badges
This badge shows an image of Our Lady of
Walsingham and is sold in support the payment
of clergy stipends - they are available from:
John Worley, 48 Lawn Lane,
Hemel Hempstead HP3 9HL
Cost: £4 each
PLUS ... NEW: Cufflinks £12 each pair
stamped addressed envelope - cheques payable to: Hemel Hempstead Group
This badge is the coat of arms of the Personal
Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham,
and is available from:
Ordinariate Lapel Badge, 274 Imperial Court,
Kennington Lane, London SE11 5QN
Cost: £5 (inc P&P) - cheques payable to: Ordinariate OLW
Please remember to include your Name and Address