5 Reasons Why ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Is Catholic

Last updated on: June 30, 2015 at 10:19 pm by Kate O'Hare

5 Reasons Why ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Is Catholic 2015-06-30T22:19:43-08:00 Kate O'Hare

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Airing on NBC and Esquire, “American Ninja Warrior” sends competitors through grueling obstacle courses on the way to the ultimate course in Las Vegas — which no man nor woman has yet been able to conquer.

For three California nights recently — two at Venice Beach, and one in front of the USS Iowa in Long Beach — I watched dozens of hopefuls tackle two different versions of the “ANW” course, under the watchful eyes of hosts Matt Iseman (below; also a standup comic, a standup guy, and a longtime pal) and former NFLer Akbar Gbajabiamila, a Southern California native.

I have no idea of the religious beliefs, if any, of most of the hopefuls (except for a Catholic friend of mine, who competed wearing his scapular), but there’s a lot about the show that resonates with our view of the world (and I’ve already recommended it for Catholic viewing).

Here are five reasons why “American Ninja Warrior” is Catholic:

1) You can’t earn salvation merely through works (but works do matter) …

To finish the qualifying course and then to take on Mount Midoriyama in Las Vegas (it’s not a mountain, it’s just a bigger, multi-stage obstacle course), you have to put in the work. You have to condition and train and sweat. But even the best-prepared athletes can miss a grip, put a foot wrong, and slip and fall. Works without grace only get you so far — and training without a bit of luck won’t get you up the warped wall.

2) Angels fly because they take themselves lightly …

Some of the most successful competitors have achieved such a level of physical awareness and control that they seem to float over the course. In a moment of transcendence, mind, body and spirit have become one. We are not souls trapped in bodies, or merely fleshly cases for spirits. Catholics have an entire Theology of the Body, after all.

3) Redemption comes through suffering …

Training is brutal on the body, on the mind, on the schedule and on the pocketbook. Competitors have to pay in blood, bone, time and money if they want to become the best. But the suffering is not without purpose, and even if they don’t win or complete the course, the effort has its own rewards.

4) We are all joined in the Body of Christ …

Competitors usually come accompanied by friends and family, and behind almost every one is a group of dedicated people that helped him or her get ready for the course. Even those that come alone find themselves cheered on by the crowd and fellow competitors. The Cross points upward to God, but it also points out to our fellow man. We need the love and support of our brother and sister Catholics to reach Heaven.

5) We know from whence comes our help …

Here’s personal trainer Michelle Warnky — wearing her Christian faith on her sleeve (and on her leg) — who didn’t complete the course in the Pittsburgh tryouts but had a good enough time to make it through to the next round.

Psalm 121

1 A song of ascents.

I raise my eyes toward the mountains.

From whence shall come my help?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

the maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to slip;

or your guardian to sleep.

4 Behold, the guardian of Israel

never slumbers nor sleeps.

5 The LORD is your guardian;

the LORD is your shade

at your right hand.

6 By day the sun will not strike you,

nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will guard you from all evil;

he will guard your soul.

8 The LORD will guard your coming and going

both now and forever.

“American Ninja Warrior” airs Mondays on NBC, and Tuesdays on its sister cablenet, Esquire.

Images: Kate O’Hare

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