It did not take me long to write again because of the inspiration from the movie "Spiderman 3". You know that this movie has some serious theme to it when the cover reads, "Every hero has a choice". Spiderman has a choice: either struggle through trials in defending what is right, or fall into the temptation of selfish pursuit and revenge. We can see this clearly in Spidey’s internal processing which manifests through his relationships around him and the things that “tick” him. Due to increased popularity and the attitude of “having it all”, Spidey/Peter creeps into a deep case of egotism. This is shown in the relationship with his girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson. During struggles on Broadway, she deals with sadness and low esteem. All Peter can come up with are comparative analogies about himself, a lack of comfort for her, and scandalizing interaction with other females. This selfish outlook coupled with an un-open and unforgiving perception of his Uncle’s death expose Peter to the “black goo”. The black goo latches onto Peter turning him into a stronger, confident, yet dark and evil, “black” Spiderman. Peter lavishes in the power of this enhanced Spiderman, yet recognizes the evil and selfishness it contains. Even his professor comments on the substance by saying, “Peter, you should never let this touch you.” Unfortunately, through the turn of events- temporarily losing Mary Jane and threats from his best friend- Peter conforms to the dark Spiderman in complete surrender and submission . Peter’s appearance, attitude, interaction with people, and his heart change completely around. Now, his calling revolves around wrath and selfish desires, not for the common good of the people. Finally, he is confronted by Aunt May ,which makes him reflect on his ‘calling‘ and the gifts he is given to serve the city of New York. He decides to rip the suit that binds him through a solution which helps tear it completely away. Now, he realizes what is truly good and right, and how the darkness draws him away from who he really is: a hero.
Let me write a quick note on how this might relate to our own lives in some way. I believe we are all created in the image and likeness of God, namely through our ability to know what is good, and to love Him and neighbor. I also believe that we, through original sin, have a tendency to turn this goodness and love toward ourselves in selfishness. What are we going to choose? In our joys, happiness, and successes we can either compliment and affirm ourselves only or we can express daily gratitude and thanksgiving; and in our struggles, trials, and failures we can blame someone else for our misfortunes or we can suffer in vision and growth. We must recognize the ‘black goo’ in our life and desire to rip it away through sanctification. Spidey finds a solution through the bells in the Church. If the black goo represents sin and selfishness in our life, then the bells represent Jesus, His Church and the victory over sin. Like Spiderman, we all deal with things that frustrate us and attract the eye which pull us from who we really are; but we can also be confident that we have a source of life that brings us freedom and to who we are meant to be. Let us be JOYFUL in the fact that we can be a HERO… if we allow Jesus to rip away what is bad and to infuse what is GOOD!
What is the black goo that pulls me away from goodness and love? What am I doing to rip away the black goo and to become who I am meant to be?
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