It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... it's... Jared Zimmerer! Today our blog contributor of extraordinary powers (and time management skills) offers his take on the latest spin on the classic superhero story, "Superman: Man of Steel." What he finds is a lesson in sanctity and saintliness.
There is little else in American culture as recognizable as the “S” that is emblazoned upon both the chest of Superman’s suit and the hearts of almost every boy born in the last 80 years. Comic books, cartoons, movies, video games, high-dollar action figures, vehicles and tattoos from around the world brazenly broadcast the message of the intriguing personality of a man named Clark Kent who has a intensely woven past, which takes him 33 years to truly understand. When one thinks of a superhero, Superman is at the top of the list. From sleeping in my cape to watching the same cartoons and movies over and over again, Superman virtually defined my childhood.
How is it that a fictional character, a figment of one man’s imagination, can interlock its way into the minds and hearts of generations in such a unique way? Is it his seeming immortality, his super strength, or his ability to simply wear a pair of glasses and become a face in the crowd? The latest epic film “Man of Steel” is Clark Kent’s preparation for his destiny and it acts as a mirror of boyhood hopes and dreams to save the world...
"We can have recourse to many saints as our intercessors, but go especially to Joseph..."
- St. Teresa of Avila
The solemnity of St. Joseph takes place today. However, the scriptures are somewhat silent as to the details of St. Joseph's blessed life. Father Steve tells us how this biblical lack of fanfare is both appropriate and sanctifying, relating the story of Jesus' earthly father to our mission within the life of the Church.
Today the Church celebrates the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the guardian of the Christ-child.
The Gospels are very clear that Joseph is not the father of the Lord Jesus. The child born of the Virgin Mary is God and has no earthly father. The body of Christ's human nature is created by what the scriptures describe as "the power of the Holy Spirit." If this explanation confounds us, we are rightly confounded. Christ is like us inasmuch as shares with us a human nature and lives a real human life. And yet, Christ is unlike us inasmuch as he is the singular instance in which a divine nature and a human nature share communion in a divine person.
Simply expressed, Christ is God and man. It is because of Christ's willingness to accept a human nature with all its limitations that we are able to participate in his divine nature. This participation, a gift given to us by Christ, is the most profound mystery of the Faith.
The mind can apprehend this mysterious revelation, even appreciate the "why" of it, but cannot fully understand the "how" of it all.
We can imagine that Joseph himself did not fully understand the circumstances surrounding Christ's conception and birth, but he was able to love what he did not fully understand. It is in this love that both his faith and his sanctity are revealed...
The solemnity of St. Joseph takes place today. However, the scriptures are somewhat silent as to the details of St. Joseph's blessed life. Father Steve tells us how this biblical lack of fanfare is both appropriate and sanctifying, relating the story of Jesus' earthy father to our mission within the life of the Church.
Today the Church celebrates the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the guardian of the Christ-child.
The Gospels are very clear the Joseph is not the father of the Lord Jesus. The child born of the Virgin Mary is God and has no earthly father. The body of Christ's human nature is created by what the scriptures describe as "the power of the Holy Spirit." If this explanation confounds us, we are rightly confounded. Christ is like us inasmuch as shares with us a human nature and lives a real human life. And yet, Christ is unlike us inasmuch as he is the singular instance in which a divine nature and a human nature share communion in a divine person.
Simply expressed, Christ is God and man. It is because of Christ's willingness to accept a human nature with all its limitations that we are able to participate in his divine nature. This participation, a gift given to us by Christ, is the most profound mystery of the Faith.
The mind can apprehend this mysterious revelation, even appreciate the "why" of it, but cannot fully understand the "how" of it all.
We can imagine that Joseph himself did not fully understand the circumstances surrounding Christ's conception and birth, but he was able to love what he did not fully understand. It is in this love that both his faith and his sanctity are revealed...
Can you really become a saint? Absolutely! We are all called to holiness and are given the grace to become saints, no matter how distant that possibility may seem to us today.
To follow this call takes knowledge, discipline and above all, faith. Father Barron’s new, multi-media study program, “
Untold Blessing: Three Paths to Holiness,” paints a compelling picture of the way to sanctity. Fr. Barron describes three critical paths on this journey:
Finding the Center;
Knowing You’re a Sinner; and
Realizing That Your Life is Not About You.
Fr. Barron’s insightful presentation is available on
DVD or
CD, with a companion seven-session
Study Guide to deepen your understanding. “Untold Blessing” can enhance your own spiritual growth or be the foundation for upcoming adult formation, religious education or evangelization programs for any parish or group that wants to foster holiness. Learn more here, and watch Fr. Barron's short video on the series.