Ascension Presents personality Father Mike Schmitz offers a reflection on Avengers: Age of Ultron. While calling it a fun superhero movie, he also explores the underlying, more subtle worldview of the story. Viewers shouldn’t be disappointed to learn that it is essentially the same story as the original, only now the aliens are robots. Josh Whedon, writer, scripts a comic book movie that is true to the characters, and writes great dialogue with banter. But this entertaining dimension doesn’t hide the bigger question, “When presented with great danger, how do we protect the people around us?” Father Schmitz points out that every totalitarian government in history has tried to protect people by offering them comfort and security. While presenting a different offer, he quotes Pope Benedict XVI, who said “you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” Father Schmitz ultimately uses the Avengers as a springboard to discuss how the gospel message encourages us to choose liberty, excellence, and greatness over comfort and security.
When God Gives You Unexpected Crosses
Lent can feel empowering. You pick things to give up, choose prayers to commit to, and give of yourself through some sort of almsgiving. But, be honest: does it ever pan out the way you planned? This is a microcosm of our entire lives, isn't it? Deep down, we'd like...
