Convenience is taking over our modern way of life. We can now work, play, shop, order food and visit friends all while sitting in a chair (albeit with poor posture, staring at a computer screen.) This is having an enormously negative impact on the state of our nation’s health. Chairs are the new cigarettes. Our bodies are in trouble.
The Church is also in trouble in the United States. Our society continually rallies against the most fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church, but importantly, fewer Catholics than ever can defend their faith. Being Catholic is in itself, counter-cultural. Now look around … check out the national statistics. Is being fit, in many ways, not the same? In 30 years, between 60 and 70% of our youth today will be obese as adults. The same percentage, born and baptized Catholic, will not be practicing their Catholic faith either.
What statistic will define you? What about your children?
Matthew Kelly of the Dynamic Catholic Institute promotes the tag line: Be Bold. Be Catholic.
Today, I would like to add to that: Be Strong. Be Fit. Be Catholic. As you will learn throughout the CatholicFIT program, these ideas can go hand in hand. The Catechism can teach you more about your physical health than you may know. It is time we begin teaching it this way. It is time we realize being Catholic is about much more than just Sunday morning. It is time we get religion out of religion class and empower our teachers, parents and leaders to teach and associate our Catholic faith with living a healthy, fit and physically strong lifestyle.
Jesus asked Peter and tasks us everyday with building His Church. He said, “upon this rock I will build my church.” Building your personal health and fitness is a part of your rock upon which you can serve God. Ask yourself, does your level of fitness today look more like a strong, durable rock filled with energy and vitality? Or is it a foundation of sand?
Sign up today to follow along with the periodic at home programs and in-school curriculum to learn more about the 10 Pillars of Faith and Fitness that will help you build your rock in order to serve others.
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