The Raven: Avengers Vs. X-Men (Corruption)

The Phoenix has come, infecting some mutants. But, it still hasn't reached it's main target: Hope Summers.

Meanwhile, the infected (Cyclops, Emma Frost, Colossus, Magik, and Namor) attempt to manipulate the demon-like storm (Phoenix) to "improve" the world.

The Avengers know the Phoenix to be too overwhelming to control and wished to prevent anyone from using such a power. They became the only team able and willing to stay in the way of the chosen X-Men.

This started a war called "Avengers Vs. X-Men" (which is really a slaughter of the Avengers by the overpowered X-Men).

In the end, I believe that the fate of everything and everyone will still lie on Hope's shoulders and what she chooses to do with the Phoenix.

But, until then, Earth is being destroyed by five of the very people sworn to protect it.

Last week, I quoted Spider-Man in saying, "You learn to follow the guys who always seem to know where they're headed." That's a tough choice.

I used to hate Cyclops because he was too perfect. Like Superman, there was no evil or corrupt side to his character. Scott (Cyclops) was the definition of a "goody-two-shoes." He always tried to make Professor X happy and lead the X-Men down a morally-correct path.

It seems like I need to do some catching up on my X-Men lore because things have changed. Scott isn't Scott anymore. Although he still tries to do what is best for the X-Men, above everything else, he has lost his morality along with his purity. Things have happened to him and he has achieved uncharacteristic feats. In Scott's character development he has been forced to make choices that no one should ever have to make. Like the Saul who started out looking like a great king and became hardened to the core, Cyclops has become one of his worst enemies: Magneto.

Instead of consistently looking out for what is best for the entire world, he knows the (human) world to be against him. Now, he sees his vocation as a leader and savior of only the X-Men. No matter what happens to humanity, Scott will do what he can to serve and protect his race above all else.

Now, I hate Cyclops for becoming someone whom he would hate.

With this in mind, the Phoenix arrived. Cyclops has become more awesome, more powerful, and more supreme than ever before. The only thing standing in the way of what he wants to do is his inability to control Hope.

This new force has caused Scott to lose control of whatever morality he had left. He now sees that the Phoenix can bend the will of the world to the way that he wants it to be. Whoever stands in his way shall perish.

At first all of the other X-Men backed him up (even the ones who weren't Phoenix-powered). They saw that the Phoenix could be the type of mutant strength that is needed to benefit the globe. But, as the mutants witnessed a Phoenix-powered Magik and Colossus almost kill a god (Thor, not to mention Spider-Man) they knew that their leaders had lost their way.

Even more has happened since Namor, Magik, Colossus, Emma Frost, and Cyclops have gained the power of the Phoenix.

Currently, Namor has been defeated by the defending Avengers (causing the Phoenix-power to become strengthened within the other four mutants). Magik and Colossus have destroyed each other in an attempt to steal one another's power. Emma Frost is afraid of what the surging force within her might cause her to do (her psychic skills have been amplified so that she may now hear the thoughts of every living being on the planet). And, it looks like Cyclops is not only turning his back on the non-mutant world, he is going to be faced with the decision to turn on the woman he loves (Emma Frost):

We have all heard that "power corrupts." I beg to differ. Even though it seems that the power of the Phoenix is what is causing these mutants to forgo their morality, I believe their real fault is giving into temptation. With this much power and the self-awareness of such power, Namor, Magik, Colossus, Emma, and Cyclops have recognized the potential for what they can do. This is not only what good they can do, but all they can do. They have had doors of importunity flying open in all directions and it has been impossible for them to stay on the right path (down the hallway).

Although they might "seem to know where their headed," without their morality as a guide they really can't know where they'll end up. They will give into the temptations of their whims and will achieve what they want without realizing the sorrow that it costs until it becomes too late.

In our own lives, we have power. We can do good. We can do ill. And, we can do nothing. There is a time to stand up for what's right, there is a time to shut down what's wrong, and there is a time to wait for time to pass. The only thing that we can use to help us understand what time it is is the Law.

The Law often describes what to do and what not to do. It might not say, "Don't run across the street in speeding traffic!!" Or, "Don't eat another five pieces of chocolate cake!!!" But, it does tell us not to murder (causing harm to ourselves or others). Eating too much cake could be included with this (especially with the knowledge that our body is a gift from and a temple to God that we should maintain to the best of our abilities). The Law has many answers to daily questions. What limits us from recognizing these answers is often our lack of reading/meditation on the Scripture. And, if you're one of those people who "just don't get it" or become too bored by the words of Scripture to be able to accurately study them, don't be afraid to ask for help. Any Pastor would love to read/explain the Bible to you!! And, if you can't find one of them, ask anyone else. Even if it's someone who is on your page, who doesn't like to read let alone the Bible, just reading it together may add a new understanding as you are able to brainstorm and reflect ideas off of one another (I bet that's what many of the early Christians did).

We can also pray for the Holy Spirit to help us under stand the Word and the Law.

So, over all, we know the Bible is where we get the Law. The Law is to be the guide for our morality. And, we must be able to recognize others who follow this Law so that they may have a compass for their morality.

Yet, Solomon knew this too. He fell. Although he was the wisest man who has ever existed, he gave into temptation. He knew better, but he failed to act on it. What he lost was the trust in God and His Law. He knew what was right and what was wrong, but he forgot to act on it.

We should remember as we choose our leaders (and as we become leaders ourselves) that "the soul is helpless unless it clings to the firm rock of truth." (St. Augustine) With Christ as the rock and cornerstone to one's life, morality becomes secure. The Gospel completes the Law, not only reminding us of how to do things right, but telling us that if we are a little off once in a while we can be forgiven and that we should do more than just "know" the Law. We should act on it and know that it is alive through us.

Just as Christ died and rose so that even when our sins (like the Phoenix) corrupt us we may be forgiven and made right again. We can learn to avoid Scott's mistake.

Perhaps, Cyclops needs something like the whack-in-the-face that the Gospel gives us in order to get him back on track.

Until then, Scott has caused a rift in the security of the Earth.

This is an even bigger hole than the Civil War made.

There must be peace before an even greater evil comes.