As in the Olympic Games it is not the most beautiful

and strongest who receive the crown, but those who

actually enter the combat. For from those come

the victors, so it is those who act that win rightly

what is noble and good in life.

                                                Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics

 

 

Aristotle is telling us essentially that we can’t win if we don’t play!  So let’s get into the game – the game of making the most of ourselves, not just for ourselves, but to glorify God by perfecting his Temple, and to build our minds and bodies as powerful dynamos, fired up and ready to do charitable works of good for our neighbors.

 

I think the time is right for a "theology of bodybuilding" as well:

 for greater appreciation and deeper understanding of the

body's capacity for strength, endurance, and robust

 fitness, to serve as a dynamo of charity toward

 our neighbor and for the greater glory of God.

Fit for Eternal Life, p. xxii.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this quotation in a web periodical put out by the Claretians.

Alright, an Episcopalian friend of mine has had some good results employing the principles of Fit for Eternal Life (way to go Katey) and she asked me to compose a prayer for her church-based "Fit with Faith" group.  In case it might be of use to a reader or two, I've included it below. (Those who have read Fit for Eternal Life will see how it parallels the major themes and virtues in the book. I'll also note that the poems and prayers in my writings are usually inspired by the style of the prayers of St. Thomas Aquinas. (This one was.)

A Prayer to Become Fit in Faith 

Oh Generous God,

You have given us minds and bodies in your glorious image.

 Grant to us the Courage

            to train our muscles to show their true strength

and to train our hearts and lungs,

so that we may endure in helping others.

Help us build our Self-control

            so that we may seek to eat and enjoy what we need to sustain us,

            losing all desire for the excess that weighs us down in body and spirit.

Guide us towards Justice

so that we will devote to ourselves the time to grow fit

without depriving our loved ones of the time that we owe them.

Help us grow in Wisdom

            so that we will pursue sensible methods of bringing out the best in ourselves,

            and making our bodies Temples of Your Spirit. 

Plant deep within us Faith, Hope, and Charity

            so that people will know we our Christians by our loving actions

            and so, that by growing fit in faith,

we may spur hope in our families and in our neighbors too,

so that they may share in the robust spiritual and physical fitness

that You would have us enjoy. 

Amen