(Source: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/489283078_13958f5da1.jpg?v=0)Link: The Diocese of Greensburg Seminarians: Vocations -- Iron Man Gets It
I just saw the new Iron Man movie over the weekend, and thought it was an awesome movie; I'm already looking forward to the sequel. That said, I noticed a deeper, though possibly unintentional message in it concerning vocations -- a vocation isn't just something to discern, it's what each of us is meant to do.
The transformation of Tony Stark's character throughout the movie is not unlike the path of discernment that is common for many young men who consider a vocation to the priesthood. We see him firmly planted in the world and enjoying it (and often overindulging in it). After some significant event (I don't want to spoil the movie by saying what), he is forced to change his perspective on the world. By the time he takes on the persona of Iron Man, he has come to realize that his life has a meaning and purpose, and that that purpose serves the greater part of humanity.
Throughout this time he realizes that it isn't easy. The path to becoming Iron Man is challenging and forces him to stretch himself. There are a number of his close friends who disapprove of it. He could be more successful from the world's perspective if he kept doing as he was already doing. Yet he rose to the occasion: it's something that took a real man to do.
Following a call to a vocation in many respects is no different, but becoming who you are meant to be makes that challenge worthwhile.
[Added the full text, just in case the Greensburg Sems blog never goes live.]
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