HOW IRON MAN HELPED MY FAITH

Seems like an odd title for a post, but its true . . .

I have been dying to write about this all week.  It's been pretty busy on my side and I haven't been able to sit and write a few posts I would like to share with you all.  But this one takes most precedence.

So, over the past few months I have been watching The Avenger's : Earth's Mightiest Heroes cartoon with my son on Netflix.(And to be honest, when by myself I have been watching them as well.  each episode a few times to soak it all up. lol)  I have to say it is an amazing cartoon, with a very intense story line.  Usually with any show, movie, theater piece, etc that has this many characters, there is a lack of character development and time for the viewer to identify with each character; however in this cartoon it has been done in a great way.  

You get to watch these Superheroes with very different backgrounds, styles, and conflicting persona's mold into being a team.  The team is led by Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man.  With a little background, you know that Tony Stark was a rich playboy with a company geared towards technology especially making weapons and after some events realized he wanted to stop doing this and became Iron Man - the Hero.  However, by nature Tony is still at times a Jerk, very sarcastic, and honestly doesn't really know how to fight he is just saved by his intense arsenal of gadgets . . . So here was my thing watching the show - "Why was Tony the leader?!!!"  In no way was he really fit for the job.  In no way was he ready or able to lead this team.  If you follow on Facebook at one point I was going crazy with Captain America quotes and in my opinion he should have really been the leader. With nothing but a great strong heart, and continuous words of inspiration and wisdom he was able to move the team's spirit's in a way Iron Man could not. . .  So why Tony? I watched the show, and loved characters like Black Panther, and Thor. . . And later on Vision was a great addition to the team. I didn't really care for the conflicted love story between Wasp and Ant Man, but Hawkeye although a rebel with no powers I was drawn to. . . But again "Why Tony as a leader?"


Well weeks after ending watching the cartoon (which at some point I may reference and break down my understanding of the analogy's from it) I got my answer.  My son Christian has quite a few Superhero toys and one of them happens to be the Iron Man in the picture above.  As any little boy, at times he takes one of his toys with him when we leave the house.  This past Saturday we went to a family party and he brought Iron Man.  As we are leaving, he can't find Iron Man and there is a HUGE search for it on the way out.  I found it finally under a chair and ran out.  The next morning as we are leaving to go to the Church he again insists on taking Iron Man with him and I am like "Ok, but if you start playing with it and not paying attention I will take it away."

So lo and behold we are in Mass, and he starts playing with Iron Man and this other small robot he had with him.  As I had said, I take it away and ask him to pay attention. He is upset and is being difficult at this point then comes the homily.  Immediately Fr. Martin walks out and sees a little girl in front with an American Girl doll and speaks to her saying "Wow! That's amazing! You have to teach her how to pray."  He then walks on and sees another little boy with a toy and responds in this way to him.  He starts to say, all we have to do is teach them to say "Abba, Father.  You are my Father." speaking to God.  At this point, naturally Christian wants to show Fr. Martin his Iron Man and I give it to him so he can show.  Fr. Martin sees and comes over and Christian gives him the toy.  Fr. Martin takes the Iron Man, puts his hands in prayer and puts him down kneeling in the pew.  At this point its like something clicked and Christian understood.  He was completely attentive to the Mass the rest of the way through.

As we moved towards the Eucharist, Fr. Martin invited all of the kids to come up by the altar as he does some times to pray before the Blessed Sacrament just as the Angels and Saints do in Heaven. . .  Christian goes up with Iron Man with him.  And together all of the children stay with Iron Man hands in prayer.  At this point it clicked in me and I fought back tears. . . . I AM IRON MAN.  Unworthy of the position.  I teach Catechism. at my church. I teach Art, theater and Music across the city with no degree.  I run this brand All is Love. I am a Father to Christian. . . And how unworthy am I.  How much of a Jerk I am at times, and yet for some reason I have been chosen for leadership. . . . Iron Man has been kneeling in this same way since Sunday at my home prayer station.

On the last episode of The Avengers . . . Iron Man speaks to Captain America and says "You ever wonder how History will remember us?. . .. I never have, but now I can't shake it. The Avengers have fought Super-Villains, evil robots; even monster from the Negative Zone; but things have gotten worse lately. The Cree, Kang. I just - what". Captain America responds "This is only the second time I have heard you use the word History." Tony - "That's because I have never been able to imagine a world without me in it until recently" At this point some big boulders go flying by in the sky and Tony says "Thats what I get for talking about being History."  The rest of the episode is a huge battle with Galactus, where Galactus is going to consume the entire earth.  In the end, Tony and the team come up with the plan to send him to the negative zone where he can consistently feed off of ani-matter and not harm anyone again.  Captain America then comes to Tony Stary and says "You want to know how History will remember us. Iron Man? . . . Well here's your answer." And the crowd cheers for them. 


I do this not to seek praise, not as some public spectacle for my glorification but like Iron Man to Assemble the team of Self Sacrificial and Service giving Heroes working with love, in love, and through love for the rest of mankind. . . . Thanks Tony.


- The Symbol
- All is Love