While watching the Winter X Games on television, I became curious to learn the definition of "extreme sport." It's applied to events like snowboarding, skateboarding, mountain biking, snowmobile jumping, and a host of others. What is the common thread that puts these kinds of sports in the "X" category?
An entry in Wikipedia says extreme sport "is a popular term for certain activities perceived as having a high level of inherent danger and that are counter-cultural." This describes Catholicism to a T.
Catholicism is highly dangerous in a number of ways. Participants must let go of comfortable attitudes and behaviors with a willingness to be changed to the very core. It embraces uncertainty, trusts in mystery, yields to irrational inclinations abounding in contradictions. It welcomes sacrifice and discipline, shuns complacency and passivity. It calls everyone to take frequent risks.
It's brightest stars have suffered persecution, imprisonment, torture, and even death to compete in this arena. Yet while dangerous to participants, it is even more so to its opponents, who can crumble in the face of its power.
Catholicism is counter-cultural--defending life, marriage, family, sexuality, battling the ever-present culture of death. Even among fellow Christians, Catholics counter the culture with our sacraments, devotions, ancient rituals and traditions.
Extreme sport is characterized by a rush from the thrill of the danger involved. Catholics truly in touch with their faith experience a rush as well, one that ultimately comes from communion with our heavenly Father through the Body of Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
All glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen.
Take it to the extreme!
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