What Does the Holy Spirit Actually Do? (Superhero Analogy)

What happens when we get baptized? What exactly is the transformative power of the Holy Spirit? One of the best ways to understand this sacrament’s effect is through analogies of superheroes.

Today, Fr. Mike explains the power of baptism by first recognizing what it is not. Because we are fallen creatures, we can’t be Superman, who has all of his powers within him–we need help from the outside. In other words, we need grace. Grace changes us and alters us internally so that when baptized, we aren’t simply putting on a covering but instead fully healing from our original wounds.

Only one superhero, Fr. Mike believes, encompasses the true power of baptism. This hero was good and was made great, just as the Holy Spirit takes us, good sons and daughters of Christ, and makes us great sons and daughters of Christ.

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[Serquss]

As a Catholic and long-time comic book collector, this sermon stirred my soul. "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love."

[MJ-bqhh]

This is so great and so beautiful that I watched 3 times and share with a friend that loves superheroes. Please pray for him, he’s on his way to comeback home in the Catholic Church.

[JaddenSinn]

This is a wonderful talk; I don't know why but the analogy of Steve Rogers and the Holy Spirit being like the serum that made the good in him greater, nearly made me cry as I felt how the Holy Spirit has made even a wretched person like me, a better person.

[michelleferrao]

Thank you Fr Mike 🌟
In Baptism through the power of the Holy Spirit we become children of God and are sealed as Christ's own forever🌻

[sarahboehlke]

This is both the coolest and heaviest analogy ever. This is beautifully done!

[samuellee]

Rarely do I ever see a video I wish I could like a thousand times. Excellently done. The Holy Spirit inspired this!

[linda.pvangapandu]

Thank Father Mike Schmitz! I love❤ how you explain everything because it gives us all such a better understanding of God! Thank you for being you! And thank you for choosing to follow God and spreading the message of the gospel! I appreciate you so very much! Keep doing what you are doing! May God bless you and your family! And may God bless all the work of your hands! I will continue to share your videos! 😁

[dymoure]

Superman is my favorite superhero of all time because he wants to use his powers to help others. But more and more I find myself relating to Spider-Man who does the right thing but is never rewarded for it. No matter how hard his life gets, he still cares and helps others. Daredevil is also a great example (and he’s Catholic!) of fighting evil even after he loses everything. In S3, they even refer to the book of Job. I could talk about superheroes for hours, and with good reason—I’m actually on a path that will have me writing for Marvel and DC. But I’ll spare you. Just know that superheroes are great examples to live by. In a way, they’re fictional saints. How many conversations have you had about what you’d do with powers? Would you help people? I think I wouldn’t have, but thankfully, I learned that with great power, comes great responsibility.

[rosem]

I absolutely love this talk, Father, having grown up with comic books and the fascination with super heroes! Once I desired the magic or science to become a super hero so life couldn’t hurt me now I yearn for the Holy Spirit to dwell in me forever.

[hotwings]

I don’t follow super heroes but you explained it so well that I feel I know them! Oh how I Strive to be a person who is allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me. When I think I’m not doing well, I think about where God has brought me in the last couple of years. For him to do that for me, is nothing short of a miracle. Still a long way to go but I know he’s with me.

[sillymousey]

this hyped me up so much. i started RCIA classes last week and I already long to be baptized but now im even more excited 😤

[CWfNv]

Fun and interesting talk, Fr Mike. Thanks for trying to make our faith relevant and understandable to us. God Bless. Claire.

[josephineahelle]

Fr Mike,
Thanks for another great vlogg. I love how u get so excited about our religion and bringing us new ways to get closer to our Heavenly Father and Mother. God Bless you 🙏 ❤

[emb]

We are huge DC and Marvel fans in our house, and this presentation was amazing! EVERY superhero example in this was perfect! The Shazam and the Capt. America ones blew me away!

[Catholicity-uwyb]

POPE BENEDICT XVI: “Human pride and egoism always create divisions, build walls of indifference, hate and violence. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, makes hearts capable of understanding the languages of all – the language of love; for, the Holy Spirit is Love.”

[gailwedgeworth]

Love the analogy. I come from a comic book, scifi fantasy family of super nerds: bought the t-shirt, have the collectibles, went to the convention, did the art, saw the movies, read the books. I always have said I am most like Steve Rogers. It has even been speculated that Steve was Catholic. There are quite a few Marvel characters that were. I like the movie Steve Rogers because he was so humble, so wanting to serve the greater good and had a strong moral center even if following that path was hard and people would not understand. That was the movie version, I liked. While I enjoy the Marvel Universe, I have come to realize that many in the entertainment industry do not share my Catholic values and even work in direct opposition to my most sacred beliefs. I am not sure that now and in the future that the products of Marvel and Disney will be in line with my beliefs. It has given me pause, and I have had to put away childish things to do the right thing; I hope Steve and creator Stan Lee would understand and appreciate that sometimes humble but heroic characters have to make sacrifices and go it alone for the sake of what is right. I still love Disney, Marvel and DC, and what they used to mean to me, but now I look for entertainment that reflects my beliefs and inspires my faith, and I don't give quarter to things that work in opposition to my faith. Let's create a fun, exciting, inspiring, creative culture that reflects the best of our faith; I know there are great Christian writers, artists and actors out there that could make that happen. Peace be with you :)

[karentribble]

Gods joy radiates from you face as you introduce us video of Holy Spirit.

[Dr.HughJass]

Captain America has always been my favorite superhero, so it was awesome to hear such an analogy with him. Amazing video as always. God bless you!

[normagomez]

God bless you Fr. Mike. Great analogy using Superheroes. My favorite is Superman. Love the way you explain it in such a way that is so understandable.

[tsaehtron]

It's amazing how God works through these podcasts. Thank you. God bless.