Iron Man: becoming who God meant you to be

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Maria Alejandra Rivas

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Never in a million years did I think I would admit this, but here it goes...

I’m a recent superhero movie convert.

This self-proclaimed rom-com-watching queen, who has seen 10 Things I Hate About You more times than she can count, has resisted watching the good guy fight the bad guy and all that CGI has to offer.

Enter: Iron Man (spoiler alert)

Curious about why so many people are into the Marvel Universe, I took the plunge and was not disappointed.

Charming billionaire genius Tony Stark (Iron Man) can give any male lead from popular romcoms a run for their money. Heir to Stark Industries, a weapons manufacturing company, Stark has everything: wealth, intelligence, success, and more.

This magnetic character should be enough to keep you watching, but the real hook is delivered 15 minutes into the movie by Stark’s best friend, James Rhodes: “You are more than what you are, and you don’t see that.”

My mind exploded! Immediately I thought of my favorite quote from Saint Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

After a near-death experience that led to reconsidering his life’s purpose and to the creation of Iron Man, Stark was no longer a flashy tech genius; he was on a journey of self-discovery, striving for the greater good. He comes face-to-face with the reality of his past actions and the realization of his responsibility.

His character takes a remarkable turn into the heroic Iron Man.

Much like the wealthy young man in the Gospel according to Saint Matthew who is faced with the decision to give away his riches and follow Jesus (but with a different ending), Stark decides to move away from his narcissistic past by putting humanity above profit in a move that leaves many questioning his decision.

Stark begins to channel his intellect and resources into creating the Iron Man suit to become a force of good. The suit becomes a new identity and gives him a new mission: to protect the vulnerable and fight for injustice.

Stark becomes a new man.

Much like Stark, we, too, are called to put on a new “suit.” To follow Jesus is to leave behind our selfish ways and become who God has created us to be to set the world on fire.

Stark’s journey is filled with struggle and growth. He faces challenges inside and out. He falls into his old ways but gets back up and learns with each lesson shaping him into the hero he was meant to become.

We, too, fall, learn, and rise again, hoping to be one step closer to holiness, and the good news is we don’t have to do it alone. The saints are always there to intercede for us in prayer, and frequent reception of the Sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist increases grace.

Iron Man is a reminder that even the most self-absorbed individual is called by God to put on a new suit and set the world on fire. Becoming who God meant you to be is the ultimate hero’s journey.