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Sunday, 17 August 2025 Trinity 9, Twentieth in Ordinary time, Proper 15
Keep running: faith, fire, and the future
Hebrews 11:29–12:4, Luke 12:49–56
Context: a Sunday Eucharist service at Coventry Cathedral, inner city Coventry, for a mixed congregation of cathedral stalwarts, local and foreign students from the local universities as well as visitors to the city
Aim: to inspire young people to live boldly for Christ, embracing faith as a journey of endurance and reconciliation, trusting that their role in God’s mission is vital
This Cathedral with its history is a remarkable place—a symbol of reconciliation, hope, and a future built on faith. But let’s be real: sometimes faith feels more like a marathon than a moment of inspiration. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to ‘run with perseverance the race marked out for us’, but how do we do that when life is tough, confusing or even discouraging? And what does Jesus mean in Luke 12:49 when he says, ‘I have come to bring fire on the earth’? Fire sounds dangerous, doesn’t it? But what if that fire is exactly what we need to keep going?
Let’s talk about running the race of faith, facing the fire, and why you — yes, you — are central to God’s plan for reconciliation in this world.
THE MARATHON OF FAITH
Think about your favourite sports movie—maybe Rocky, Chariots of Fire, or even Cars (yes, Lightning McQueen had a race to finish too!). Every hero in those stories had to push through challenges. Faith is like that. Hebrews 11 speaks of people who crossed the Red Sea, toppled Jericho’s walls, and endured hardship, all because they trusted God. They didn’t stop when things got hard. They kept running.
Faith is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. There will be moments when you feel like giving up — when school, relationships, or doubts make you wonder if it’s worth it. But the saints who’ve gone before us are like a great crowd of supporters in the stadium, cheering us on. Look around this Cathedral — this very building stands as a testimony that even after devastation, faith can rebuild and bring new life. You are part of that legacy.
THE FIRE THAT REFINES
Jesus’ words in Luke 12:49 might sound shocking: ‘I have come to bring fire.’ But this isn’t a fire of destruction — it’s a fire of refining, a fire that burns away fear and doubt and makes us stronger. Think about The Hunger Games — Katniss Everdeen becomes ‘the girl on fire’, not because she wants destruction, but because she brings change, challenges injustice, and refuses to conform. Jesus calls us to be people on fire for justice, peace, and reconciliation.
Coventry Cathedral’s ministry is all about that — turning the fire of destruction into a flame of hope. After the bombings of World War II, the people of Coventry didn’t just rebuild; they committed themselves to reconciliation. That’s our call too. Sometimes that means standing up for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular. Sometimes it means forgiving when it’s hard. And sometimes it means believing in the future when all we see is rubble.
YOUR ROLE IN THE MISSION
So where do young people fit into all this? Let me tell you — everywhere. The future of the Church isn’t just about keeping traditions; it’s about living the message of Jesus in new and powerful ways. You bring energy, creativity, and courage to this mission. Whether it’s through art, music, social action, or simply choosing kindness in a world that can be harsh, you are a key part of the Church’s story.
The cross behind me, made from charred remains of the old Cathedral, is a reminder that out of suffering, hope rises. Your generation has the power to bring that hope into schools, social media, and everyday life. The race of faith is yours to run, and you are not alone.
CONCLUSION: KEEP RUNNING
So, what now? Hebrews says, ‘Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.’ What’s holding you back? Doubt? Fear? The pressure to fit in? Jesus invites you to run light, run strong, and keep going even when the road is tough.
This Cathedral, this city, this world needs young people like you — on fire with faith, running the race, and bringing reconciliation wherever you go. So, will you take up the call? Will you keep running? Amen.
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