I heard recently that President Trump was bringing back the President’s Physical Fitness Testing. Introduced in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, I dreaded those couple of weeks of testing -- a sort of Bootcamp of physical endurance – where everything else stopped while our coaches led us through our paces, faithfully recording the number of push-ups, pull ups and sit ups we could do in a minute, as well as, our time to run a mile.
As a kid no one ever told me why President Johnson wanted to know I could hurdle or that I was quite good at leg lifts but I’ve often speculated that the results were scientifically analyzed and placed under lock and key in our permanent record file where they would remain until the government had need of them.
For 60 years I’ve sat patiently by the phone waiting to be called upon to testify as to the effectiveness of my physical conditioning, but as the news suggests, my scores may have reached their expiration date and a new round of reaping is required by the government -- perhaps adding rock climbing or running an American Ninja-style obstacle course to the list of exercises being tested.
Will they only choose the youth this time or will seniors also be tested for their endurance? Perhaps, if the latter, seniors could be enticed or incentivized to participate if the winner received as their reward their Social Security and/or Medicare benefits for the remainder of their years?
But why limit this to age or possibly, gender? Religions could also vie for supremacy (and tax breaks) by competing in the games, as well. Martial arts studios and religious seminaries could be turned into training grounds for would-be gladiators.
If they did include religions, however, they had best not include running as an event. That would put Catholics at a decisive advantage, as we have been at it since our track coach, St. Paul, the missionary to the gentiles first observed the Greek athletes and reported that to get to heaven we would have to run the ‘good’ race – endure to the end – in order to claim and receive the crown of victory – access to heaven and eternal life.
Since competition will be fierce, we must prepare ourselves both mentally, physically and spiritually for eternal life, quizzing ourselves in the following four areas:
1. Have you prayed unceasingly? Do you include prayers for your friends, family and competitors alike?
2. Do you watch your spiritual diet, making sure to fuel up on the Holy Eucharist – our superfood -- and fasting from the sinful (but tasty) ‘empty calories’ of donuts and crullers (the so-called, ‘holy bread’ that the world tries to tempt us with?
3. Can you remember when you made your first confession? Was it your last? Since we are asked to go at least once a year (during Easter season) those extra pounds of sin we pack on over the years become a heavy burden unless they’re released from our backs.
4. And finally, are you living the Beatitudes? Are you involved in ministry? Using your gifts and resources to help the parish, the Church and others? By serving others you build up your spiritual reserve so that you may endure the race to the end.
Working together as the Body of Christ we should be able to persevere to the finish line, win our race and gain the crown of victory.
But we must not get cocky! Coach Jesus tells us, not everyone who enters the race will complete it. Some will find it too difficult and quit. Others may start off strong expecting a one-hundred-yard dash but stall out after the first uphill grade of the cross-country course.
Since none of us know the actual course, Jesus’ advice is to take the more challenging, narrow path as the reward will be great… He warns that there will be no prizes for those not crossing the finish line.
So lace up your spiritual running shoes, limber up your muscles and take your place at the starting blocks. This race is for ‘all the marbles’.
Deacon John De Gano is assigned to St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Riverside.