Action Comics introduced Superman in 1938. The radio adaptation, “The Adventures of Superman,” began broadcasting in 1940 with this now famous opening: “Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman! Yes, it’s Superman —strange visitor from the planet Krypton who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can leap tall buildings in a single bound, race a speeding bullet to its target, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great Metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way.”
More super heroes soon emerged. Captain America’s super power was his indestructible shield. Black Panther had super, enhanced senses. Ant-Man could communicate with insects. Batman had, well, a super car. Iron Man had a genius-level intellect. Spider-Man’s super power was custom web-shooters. Daredevil’s power was radar senses. Silver Surfer could control the energy of the universe. Wonder Woman’s super power was the ability to fly faster than light.
A modern take on this is people describing their own super powers or asking others, “What is your super power?” It has even become a T-shirt industry. Your superpower is the thing you do that’s incredibly valuable and also just who you are.
Some super power descriptions are just meant to be humorous. Examples are: “I can tell a dog from a cat.” “I know what day it is without asking anyone.” “I can fall asleep anywhere.” “Animals understand me.” “I wake up before the alarm.”
Other examples are: “I can read my own mind.” “My super power is I can communicate with fruit.” “My super power is I can change the shape of clouds.” “Mine is that I can control my own shadow.”
We recently watched the film “A Million Miles Away.” It is based on the inspiring biography of José Hernández who from childhood was a migrant farm worker who dreamt of becoming a NASA astronaut. He earned a Masters Degree in engineering. After that he took flying lessons, becoming a pilot. He took scuba lessons and became a certified diver. He possessed all the traits and experiences required to be an astronaut candidate. He applied to NASA year after year for 12 years(!) before he was accepted into the academy.
One day he was conversing with Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born American astronaut to fly to space. Commenting for them both, and knowing how hard José had worked to become an astronaut, Kalpana proclaims, “Tenacity is a superpower!”
The Bible doesn’t call them super powers, but that’s what they are.
To forgive a slight offense isn’t that challenging. To forgive someone “seventy times seven” is a super power.
To be able to see possibilities of goodness in someone, to coax a miser, Zacchaeus, into becoming a generous philanthropist is a super power.
To be a single parent, cook all the meals, wash all the clothes, read to your children, play with your children and still be able to hug and kiss with a smile is a super power.
To be a fountain of encouragement and optimism in an arid world that so needs the life-giving refreshment of faith—that’s a super power.
The One who can transform us into super heroes is near to each of us.
“To all who received him, who believed in his name, Jesus gave power to become children of God” (John 1).
Now, put on that cape and get out there.
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