To paraphrase one of our great musician-philosophers, “Infinite war, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!”
But in the whole of human history, what has been more constant than war? Further, many of us were taught history, both of our country and of the world, through a series of wars. War seems to define us.
On the other hand, to paraphrase one of our great warrior-philosophers, “My faith’s in people, I guess…And I’m happy to say that, for the most part, they haven’t let me down. Which is why I can’t let them down either.” Maybe war doesn’t have to define us.
Can Stan Lee and a bunch of his Marvel creations help us understand the battle of words happening in Isaiah 36 & 37? Yes! Of course I’m biased toward the power of comics, so your milage may vary.
The Narrative Lectionary was weird this week: parts of Isaiah chapters 36 & 37 (36:1-3, 13-20; 37:1-7, which is what we read) and then Isaiah 2:1-4.
Here’s the photo of my comic book collection that I showed:
Here’s the sermon audio:
If you need some help with those Marvel characters I reference:
Some of the quotes I used:
[Marvel’s] stories have room for everyone, regardless of their race, gender or color of their skin,” he said. “The only things we don’t have room for are hatred, intolerance and bigotry. — Stan Lee
I’m going to make an effort to chose the battles that matter. Battles against injustice, against cynicism, against intolerance. — Captain America
Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today. But, unlike a team of costumed super-villains, they can’t be halted with a punch in the snoot, or a zap from a ray gun. The only way to destroy them is to expose them—to reveal them for the insidious evils they really are…Although anyone has the right to dislike another individual, it’s totally irrational, patently insane to condemn an entire race—to despise an entire nation—to vilify an entire religion…We must fill out hearts with tolerance. For then, and only then, will we be truly worthy of the concept that [humanity] was created in the image of God–a God who calls us ALL—His [sic] children. — Stan Lee
Let’s live the way of Excelsior!
Photo by Matteo Kutufa on Unsplash
All That I Can't Leave Unsaid 