Tonite I took myself out to the movies. As a single person, I learned to go to the movies by myself a number of years ago. It’s easy to miss the good big-screen movies if you are trying to find someone else to go with. I love going to the movies on my own. It’s a treat.

The Avengers is one of the most-anticipated movies of the summer season. Even though it is early in the season and I am sure there will be other must-see-on-the-big-screen films to check out. I wouldn’t say that this is one that I was anticipating (unlike The Dark Knight Rises for which I am super-duper stoked!). So I may have missed it all together, since I don’t go to the movies that often. But then I heard that Joss Whedon wrote and directed it, and my interest spiked. I’ve been a fan of Whedon’s since back in the early days of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. I love the way he forms characters and he has a knack for witty banter that is unparallelled.

I have to say, The Avengers did not disappoint. But what struck me as I enjoyed this crazy, funny, explosive, popcorn-fest of a movie, is how much we love heroes. The villain in the movie is Loki, and he likes to pontificate about the fact that humans love to be ruled, that we have tendency towards being subjugated. But I think we have a tendency towards hero worship. We love to come up with stories where someone must save the day. We love to come up with characters who have the powers to save the day.

I admit – I love hero stories, too. But as much fun as Iron Man and Thor and Captain America are – and as cheesy as it might sound to some for me to say this – they cannot hold a candle to Jesus Christ. Sure, he didn’t have a hammer or magic shield or a rocket-suit. But Jesus had wisdom, and courage and most of all, a depth of love that is unsurpassed. Jesus isn’t my homeboy, he’s my super-hero. He’s my saviour. And I wouldn’t want to face a world without him.