By: Pastor Michael Rogalski

Those were the words uttered by my daughter at the food court. Earlier we had been in line near a young man topping out at about age 4 or 5 who was dressed in a Batman costume. I felt a curious grin appear on my face at the oddity of his outfit selection, but deep within my middle-aged frame was a longing to don a golden cape and become Robin and join my superfriend partner in a battle against suburban tyranny. But that story is for another time. Back to the costume.

When my little Abi first laid eyes on him his mask was tilted back on his head. She looked at him and said, “a rabbit!” Knowing that was nearly an assault on his budding manhood, I immediately stepped in to his defense and clarified for Abi that she was in the presence of Batman. The black cape, gold utility belt, dark wings emblazoned upon his chest, and repositioned mask conveyed the menacing force and power held within this little superhero standing before us. We ended up seated a table away from him in the eatery.

About halfway through our meal, Abi looked up at me and said with such a half-surprised, yet proud sense of discovery, “Batman’s eating pizza!” The profound simplicity of that statement completely threw me off. It took me a moment to process what she said. I had long forgotten about Batman, especially the one she’d encountered. So when she said Batman, I’m thinking terrifying power, incredible sense of stealth, the cave, the Batmobile, and worldwide fame. The Batman I was thinking of would eat a big 20 ounce Porterhouse or maybe he wouldn’t even eat at all, certainly not pizza. The simplicity clashed with the sublime.

But didn’t that same thing happen two thousand years ago? Imagine hearing about a man who had walked on water and then find yourself seated a table away from him at the Jerusalem Deli. Murmurings spread through the café as it is discovered that this is the Messiah, the Chosen One, the Savior of the world. You hear a child exclaim, “The Son of God is eating a cheese steak!” No, that’s not a verse from my Bible (didn’t even make it into The Message), but certainly something similar to that must have happened. In a moment, the supernatural became simple, extraordinary became ordinary, and the Creator joined creation.

I find myself in awe at the intersection of the divine and the dull. Jesus joining us. Incredible, shocking, odd, simple. I’m grateful that God joined me at the table that evening…while Batman was eating pizza.

Pastor Michael Rogalski
La Plata, Maryland