The Jesus War (New Yorker Piece on Mel Gibson, "The Passion")

Great article, the best I've read. Explains a lot of between the lines stuff lately.

I have to say - Caiaphus be damned, or not, if Gibson's movie manages the point of -- people of power, even our spiritual leaders, are as corruptible as the least of us when it comes to preserving their power -- and manages to stay true to the Gospel, he has done well. Those calling for the crucificion of Christ were not necessarily the Jews; they were those who might stand to lose control, and power is nothing, without control.

Did I see a suggestion in this article though that Traditionalist Catholic is a schism? I believe that is not true.

You are right that it is by grace alone that one comes to Christ, but this does not eliminate anyone just because of the church they attend. You must remember that there are nearly as many branches of Catholicism as there are Protestant denominations, and that they differ almost as widely in their theologies. I know many Catholics that are devout, genuine Christians, and many Protestants who are not. It has nothing to do with the theology, and everything to do with the relationship. Too many people think of Christianity only as a religion, and have no understanding of the relationship they can have with Jesus Christ.

I think this movie looks great.And im going to see it today,and I also believe,along with many others,that this is the last message from God before the rapture.As Jesus said of the signs that will and have just happened;wars and rumours of wars,nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom,famines and Earthquakes in diverse places,all the beggining of birth pains.Matthew 24.But the rapture wont happen unti lthe gospel is heard aroudn the world one mroe time,(The Passion Of The Christ)take a look at this: you cant tell me this is a coincidense,look at the dates,there every day.These are just a short list of things happening.

DECEMBER 26th 2003
Iran,magnitude 6.5; More than 41,000 killed

FEBRUARY 20,2004
Earthquake 6.0 Santa Cruz Islands
Magnitude 4.8 CHIAPAS, MEXICO
Magnitude 4.8 SEA OF OKHOTSK

FEBRUARY 21,2004
Magnitude 6.6 EAST OF SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS

FEBRUARY 22,2004
Magnitude 6.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA

FEBRUARY 23,2004
Magnitude 5.6 PAGAN REG., N. MARIANA ISLANDS
Magnitude 6.3 SAMOA ISLANDS REGION
Moderate earthquake rocks eastern France 5.1

FEBRUARY 24,2004
Magnitude 6.5 NEAR NORTH COAST OF MOROCCO
Magnitude 6.5 - STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR
Morocco Earthquake death Toll 564

If any ones wants to argue with this,i have this to back me.
If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief,
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee Rev(3:3)

Jim Caviezel Tells of Meeting With Pope
Actor Who Plays Jesus in "The Passion" Thanked Holy Father for Letter to Artists

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 16, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ," thanked John Paul II for his witness which the actor said has profoundly inspired his own life.

Caviezel spoke today with a group of journalists about his private audience Monday with the Pope. They spoke, among other things, of the 1999 letter the Holy Father wrote to artists, Caviezel said. The actor said the letter has helped him personally.

The rest was "private," Caviezel told journalists in the Vatican, including a ZENIT representative.

The audience took place in the Pope's private library. "I couldn't tell you how long it lasted," said Caviezel. He said he did not look at his watch as he was absorbed in the Holy Father's conversation.

ZENIT saw some of the pictures taken during the meeting, and learned that John Paul II gave Caviezel a rosary. Caviezel and his wife were seated in front of the Pope's desk.

"John Paul II is a very special man for a very special world. He is the Pope of Fatima," Caviezel said in reference to the explanation given by the Holy See to the so-called third secret of the Virgin confided to the three little Portuguese shepherds. "The Pope is a mystic. He loves Christ."

Caviezel said of the film's director: "Mel Gibson is very, very Catholic, very Roman Catholic."

"Many celebrities say they are Catholics but they do not follow the Vatican, on pro-life issues, on capital punishment," Caviezel added. "When you see Mel Gibson's film, is it Protestant? Is it Muslim? Is it Catholic? What do you see?

"It is very Catholic, very universal. It is a great way to introduce people to what it means to be Catholic: It is universal, for all peoples, for all times."

For Caviezel, to be involved in the film was a "real spiritual experience."

"You can't see what is shown and remain indifferent" -- much less so if, as an actor, one penetrates the character to give the best of oneself, he said.

In acting the part, Caviezel said to himself: "I don't want people to see me; I just want them to see Jesus."

To come to this experience, Caviezel added, "I began with the rosary, the rosary led me to confession, confession led me to the Mass, every day, and always when I have the Eucharist in my body, I feel more like being in Christ."

The actor also responded to some accusations of anti-Semitism made by some groups against the film.

As a believer, Caviezel said, "I am Semitic. It is my lineage. I am from the House of David and Abraham."

If "someone says the film is anti-Semitic, the Bible should also be considered anti-Semitic," he said. Caviezel added that he has suggested to Jewish compatriots to make a film on Moses or David.

On Monday, Caviezel presented the film "The Passion of the Christ" to some ecclesiastics who live in Rome, before it was shown at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum.
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