Drawing on a metaphor in St Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews, St Bede compared the Christian life to a footrace. The Christian is competing for a heavenly reward, coached and cheered on by Christ. Though there are special garlands for martyrs, many of the greatest saints were not asked to shed blood, and their prizes are just as precious.

Bede urged his listeners to think of themselves as citizens of heaven, living its culture as one nation with all who have gone before. He reminded them that this would include not only famous prophets and patriarchs, but also deceased family members, who even now keenly watch their progress in the race, and cheer them home to welcoming arms.

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