On the day of the Boston Marathon, Old South Church, the “Church of the Finish Line,” flies blue and gold banners from the top of our tower. These banners joyfully proclaim to each marathoner that the finish line is near, their race is almost run. When the last athlete has crossed the finish line and the marathon is done, we carefully fold up the banners and store them safely until the next year.
On April 15th, however, the marathon was not finished. It was halted by bomb blasts and the banners became part of a crime scene. They were left to the mercy of the wind for nine days - growing frayed and worn while Boston turned itself inside out searching for those responsible. These banners will never be the same again, what they were subjected to has altered them. Though they are damaged, we have carefully laid them out within the body of the tower.
We don't know yet what we will do with the banners. But one thing we do know is that next year Old South Church will once again fly blue and gold banners above the finish line. And the finish line will be for a race far longer than 26.2 miles, a race that has already begun. The race has begun for the wounded in physical therapy sessions. The race has begun for those healing from psychological scars on counselors couches. And the race has begun for the grieving, at gravesides and makeshift memorials. For this race that has already begun, we are cheering you on, we are standing by ready with the refreshing waters of baptism, we are standing by with the reviving food of prayer, and we will be there at the finish line, flying banners more boldly and joyously than ever before.