It seems that movies these days are no longer merely for entertainment purposes. The majority have an underlying social message that they are trying to get across to viewers. Is The LEGO Batman Movie one of these films?
Well, probably not, but you will find several Catholic teaching moments in The LEGO Batman Movie. It is definitely worthwhile to take your own children, your youth group, or your nieces and nephews to see the film and then make time for some good discussion. You will be able to connect many of the themes with Catholic values and teachings.
Warning: There are a few spoilers below, so if you really don’t want to know what happens, you should stop reading here and come back to the post after you see the movie.
The LEGO Batman Movie
4 Things to Talk About from The LEGO Batman Movie
1. Being rich, famous, and successful does not lead to true happiness.
This message is clear in the trailer above. Although Batman seems to “have it all” in the eyes of his fans, each evening he goes home to an empty house. None of the things in Batman’s life led him to true happiness.
Discuss: What do you think Batman was missing in his life during the first part of the movie? Why can’t material things, money, fame, or success bring us the happiness we seek? What will give us true happiness?
2. We can’t do life alone.
There is great purpose to family and community. We need the help of others to truly experience the fullness and joy of life. When we try to do things on our own, we are left feeling empty.
There are also many points in the film which can be used to illustrate the importance of being a part of the body of Christ. The unique gifts and skills that each person can bring to the team are all vital to the success of the mission. In the same way, we as the Church can use our gifts to bring others to know the love of God.
Discuss: Why do you think we sometimes try to do things on our own? Why is it more enjoyable to have the help of others? Why is it important to have a family? How do you serve in the Body of Christ?
3. It is necessary to admit our fears.
It took Batman a while to realize that he was afraid of loving other people because he had lost his own parents, but, once he acknowledged that, he was able to begin the process of healing. Because he was able to face his fear, he was ultimately able to experience love again in his life.
Discuss: What are the fears in your life that keep you from really being joyful? How can you face your fears?
4. We need to do an Examination of Conscience daily.
The turning point in this movie is when Batman is given a chance to look back at his past. A few key moments show him that he has been selfish and prideful and that, through these faults, he has hurt many people in his life. Batman had been so busy living his Superhero life that he had never taken the time to reflect on how his actions affected those around him.
Discuss: We should reflect on our actions and how they either brought us closer to God or further from him. We can do this daily with the Examination of Conscience. Are you ever so busy that you don’t realize how you’ve hurt others? How often do you do the Examination of Conscience? How can reflecting back over your day help you conquer sin in your life?
What are your thoughts?
I’m going to stop at just four things to discuss from this movie, but there are so many more! Will you leave your suggestions in the comments? What lessons did you take away from The Lego Batman Movie?
- A ‘Closet Catholic’ Finds Faith To Write A New Christmas Hymn
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn A SONG IS CONCIEVED It didn’t take long for our dinner conversation in July 2022 to find itself deep in the discussion of music, particularly of our own. With a B.A. in music from Rowan University and several published songs and compositions to my credit, I had been getting creatively… Read more: A ‘Closet Catholic’ Finds Faith To Write A New Christmas Hymn - My Spirtiual Journey With St. Joseph Led To Writing This Christmas Hymn
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn St. Joseph has been accompanying me since my youth and this latest accomplishment—the song I co-wrote with Tom Raniszewski, “The Carpenter’s Son”—is but another time he has influenced my thinking and lifelong spiritual journey. When I began elementary school at St. Ann Regional School in Wildwood, New Jersey, I first… Read more: My Spirtiual Journey With St. Joseph Led To Writing This Christmas Hymn - Jesus In The Womb: Month 9
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Your Lord and Savior is Now the Size of a Watermelon! Advent has officially begun! The final month has finally arrived and Baby Jesus will soon be born. The last month in the womb is spent with baby Jesus preparing for his birth. He is inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid… Read more: Jesus In The Womb: Month 9 - Four Types Of People Dorothy Day’s Story Speaks To
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn “We cannot love God without first loving each other, and to love, we must know each other.” Dorothy Day This powerful quote encapsulates what sparked a massive 20th-century movement that changed many people’s lives. It was spoken by a woman who sought to improve the conditions of God’s people, selflessly… Read more: Four Types Of People Dorothy Day’s Story Speaks To - A Teen Gives Advice To Peers On How To Love God In Today’s World
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn During our teenage years, our relationship with the Lord begins to change. As children, we typically love Him without caring about the details. We love Him with the love of a child with wonder, often praised in the Gospels. However, when we begin our teenage years, we start to think… Read more: A Teen Gives Advice To Peers On How To Love God In Today’s World
