Some people seem to enjoy suffering. For example, some people spend tens of thousands of dollars to live for weeks in extreme discomfort, depriving themselves of oxygen, warmth, and sleep to climb Mount Everest.

Others are thrilled that they qualify for the Ironman Triathalon, a grueling journey of 2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles on bicycles, and then a full 26 mile marathon run. And just this summer, a woman set off from San Francisco to row over 7,000 miles to Australia in a 26-foot boat, alone.

Why would anyone attempt these feats, which strain their bodies, minds and wills to their breaking points? Are they masochists, who simple crave pain? Do they do it for the promise of fame and money? Or do they get some kind of extreme satisfaction from performing extreme tasks? Perhaps they simply love their chosen sports or hobbies so much that it doesn't seem extreme to them at all.

In today's second reading, the Letter to the Hebrews addresses the topic of why Jesus Christ endured his nightmarish desolation on the cross: "For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God."

Jesus endured horrific suffering not out of some perverse love of pain for its own sake, but for "the sake of the joy that lay before him." Not only did he endure suffering, but he embraced it - like an athlete pushing his body and mind to the limit of its capabilities. Jesus pursued something he loved and desired more than anything else.

Many of us have also pressed on with our lives and our faith in the face of unimaginable suffering. A loved one suffers or dies, a friend or spouse abandons or betrays us, an employer "right sizes" us into a state of unemployment. We have to ask ourselves if we can see joy before us, or if we will focus on the pain and unhappiness that is behind us. It can be hard to see or believe in joy when everything seems to be falling apart.

"Let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us," the Letter to the Hebrews says, "and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus."

We are called to let go of all that keeps us from realizing our own reconciliation with God - our own journey to become the people we were created to be. Today's reading calls us to think of Christ when we are tempted to lose heart. He did not give up. He did not lose sight of his goal. We too must persevere even when life seems to turn against us.

Following Jesus is not an extreme sport, of course, but it can be extremely challenging to remain on the path of compassion, generosity and joy, especially when we are faced with hardship and suffering. And it promises to be extremely rewarding. We don't get money and fame if we complete the journey. We are promised something better. Joy.

Bill Peatman writes from Napa.