Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Why I Am Catholic

Home
Because Even Superman Needs To Pray

Because Even Superman Needs To Pray

Last updated on: June 7, 2015 at 11:35 pm by Frank Weathers

Because Even Superman Needs To Pray 2015-06-07T23:35:54-05:00 Frank Weathers

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Hi. It’s just me.

Have you seen the quiz that’s going around the interwebs? The one where you answer 10 questions and presto, the literary character your answers best line up with is produced?

I usually avoid these sorts of things, but a friend of mine took it and posted his results on his Facebook wall (Samwise Gamgee), and then another friend did (Sherlock Holmes), and another (Romeo), and so on (Hermione), and so on (Achilles).

So I took the plunge, figuring what’s the worst that could happen? I’m Peter Pan? I mean with the answers my friends were giving, they were getting matched up with some pretty interesting literary characters. So I answered the questions to the best of my ability, and if nothing quite fit, see, I gave the answer that was closest to what I would do if I could, all things considered.

And so it was with some shock, and a heaping amount of chagrin, when the answer that came up for me was,

Figures. I’m an alien, from another planet, when all I wanted to be was Captain Aubrey.

Sigh. Superman is a literary character?

And I’m a character who has a Valhalla complex the size of Metropolis, too. Why couldn’t I just be a hobbit?

OK, I am NOT Superman. But if I was, I would pray an awful lot. Why? Because it would be impossible to stand up for the down-trodden and fight evil with all my strength, and be able to do so everywhere, at the same time, all the time, successfully. I don’t care how powerful Superman may appear, he’s going to simply come up short. Often.

I mean look at the news. First off, having immense superpowers does not give you an edge on protecting innocents from the carnage of a suicide bomber in Pakistan, because last time I checked, Clark Kent may have his finger on the pulse of the news, but he wasn’t a seer. Today alone he would have been tugged in a dozen different directions between violence in Kenya, war in Syria, and shootings in the South Side of Chicago. And I haven’t even mentioned stepping in to prevent airplane, train, and automobile crashes, rescuing sinking ships, and sundry other needs for Superhero services.

And then Lois Lane is always walking into some kind of trap too. Luckily for me, I’m married to Juliet, so Lois is off my radar.

Do folks even consider Superman as a literary character? Well, as it turns out, lots of folks do. Need I say ComicCon? Snooping around on Google, I even discovered that in a current series titled Superman Unchained, the native of Krypton actually does pray.

However, getting back to Superman’s power, there was one scene pertaining to that which I thought was rather interesting. Despite all of his power, despite being practically a god himself, there’s a moment in Superman Unchained where we see that Superman relies on a higher power. In a desperate attempt to save others, he tries something he isn’t sure will work and, get this, prays that it will. When it does, he then takes a moment to say “Thank you up there.” Granted, there are no specifics about who the “you” in question might be, but it’s an interesting thing for Superman to say. After all, if there’s anyone who should be able to rely on his own power, it’s Superman, right? Yet even he acknowledges that he can’t totally rely on himself, even he needs a little “help from above.” Now, if Superman can admit that, why can’t we?

The third issue in the series is titled Answered Prayers. Here’s a snippet of the review over at WHATCULTURE!,

God. Jesus. Saviour. Superman.

I think we can all agree that Superman has had religious themes in a number of his stories, or at least in the movies. In the last two Superman films, he’s basically been portrayed as a pulpy incarnation of the Judeo-Christian Christ figure with 2006′s Superman Returns all but making Superman the second coming – Space Jesus!

And it seems Scott Snyder can’t avoid the association either as Superman Unchained #3 shows. The title of the issue – Answered Prayers – is taken from a famous quote by 16th century saint, Teresa of Avila, the full quote being: “there are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers”. An ominous message especially when the origins of the scary-looking chap on the cover – Wraith – are revealed.

Interesting, huh? Who knew St. Teresa of Avila would be inspiring storylines in a Superman comic?

Ok, confession time. I’ve decided to embrace this call to be Superman in the only way that I’m sure I can. I’m going to pray just like him. Because I can’t effect much on my own, see? I can’t fly faster than a speeding bullet or leap tall buildings in a single bound. But my prayers can do all of those things, and more.

I can pray for the souls of all of those who are killed by senseless violence; and for the comfort of those who have survived their tragic deaths. I can pray for healing miracles for those who are infirm, and I can pray that the naked are clothed and the hungry are fed. In short, I can pray for justice and for peace, for strength and for tranquility, anytime, anywhere. I don’t even need a phone booth. Plus, the way the news cycle goes these days, a casual glance at the Daily Planet will provide ample opportunities to wield the power of prayer for matters of import as well as for giving simple thanks and praise.

So there you have it. Just like the Iron Giant, I can be like Superman afterall. Grab some tissues…

Superman. If that is my cross to bear, than so be it. Plus, I’ve got a pretty fetching theme song, so I can’t really complain.

I just have to be careful about the hazards of a cape. And Kryptonite, of course.

Previous Post

September 22, 2013

Pope Francis's Homily On the Last Ember Day of Autumn

Next Post

September 23, 2013 Just Because The Church Is A Mother, Doesn't Mean You Won't Get Punished

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Blog News Conversion Story Culture Learning Living Nature Prayer Uncategorized Working

Select a Month June 2016 May 2016 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Christian season is marked by purple, penance, and preparation before Easter?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Epiphany Lent Advent Feast of All Saints