From today's second reading: "Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith."

In the Letter to the Hebrews, the "great cloud of witnesses" is understood to be the saints and holy ones who came before us. But on Friday, it was so easy to think of our alumni as that "cloud of witnesses". Thinking back to what many of them were like when they came to San Miguel as freshmen, they are true witnesses in whom we can take pride, showing what our "great cloud" of alumni has accomplished so far and the great path that they have in front of them. But our calling as educators moves us, just as the author of Hebrews writes, not just to continue, but to do better. I think that our alumni expect that of us, just as we urge them to persevere in all that they do.

From De La Salle's final Meditation for the Time of Retreat: "Oh, what a thrill of joy you will have when you hear the voices of those whom you have led, as if by the hand, into heaven, who . . . will represent the good you have done among them. . . All of them will join their voices to obtain for you a favorable judgment from Jesus Christ, praying him not to delay putting you in possession of the happiness you procured for them by your work and your concern."

But most importantly, De La Salle reminds us that the progress and persistence we seek goes beyond grades, test scores, college admissions, and careers. We contribute to our students' salvation, just as they contribute to ours. As we continue our work this week, let us focus on those students who are most in need of us to run the race, with them and for them, and who, although we might think of them as marginalized and voiceless, will raise their voices on our behalf to the Lord.

Live, Jesus, in our hearts!