A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-25-04....Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ"

dansangel

[dansangel]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Today is Ash Wednesday. For millions of Christians throughout the world, today is the beginning of forty days of sacrifice, reflection and the anticipation of Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Also today, opening in thousands of theaters across the U.S. is "The Passion of the Christ," directed by Mel Gibson and starring James Caviezel. Before even being offered to the general public, this movie has already stirred up a torrent of controversy.

The Christian faith is based on the fact that Jesus Christ, Son of God, walked among us some 2000 years ago. He made the ultimate sacrifice by being beaten, crucified and dying on the cross so that we may be forgiven. The movie deals with the last 12 hours that Jesus spent on earth among those who loved Him.

Much of the controversy that surrounds this film centers on the violence and brutality depicted that Christ endured during His last hours. Some critics have charged that such graphic carnage is unnecessary. Mel Gibson feels his movie version is a more accurate protrayal what Christ suffered than the myriad of films supported by Hollywood that have whitewashed the pain and terror.

Simon of Cyrene assisting Christ with the cross

The balance of the controversy lies in charges made that the film and Gibson are anti-Semitic. It is truly a shame that a movie whose focus was meant to be on our Savior and what He did for all of us must instead be upstaged by the back-biting and histrionics of headline-grabbing mere mortals. Gibson stands firmly by his stance that the movie is grounded in history, not finger-pointing, and that the bottom line is that we *all* share culpability in Christ's death, not just a select group.

James Caviezel

If you are still unsure as to whether or not it's worth your while to see this film, please take a moment to read this powerful review by Robert Moynihan from "Inside the Vatican":

The Power and the Glory of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ"

Mel Gibson

By the time this thread goes to press on the Finest, .45MAN and I will have seen "The Passion of the Christ" with members of our church the previous night. We are hoping that others who have seen it firsthand will share their thoughts, reactions and feelings about what promises to be the most important film about the most important Man to ever live and die on this earth.

May God Bless us all here at the Finest.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 02-23-04 Military Monday 02-24-04 Let's Celebrate Mardi Gras

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[FreeTheHostages]

And I've seen Mel Gibson's interviews on TV. He is showing a lot of poise and certainty under pressure.

I haven't seen it yet, but I can't wait.

Thank you, dansangel.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thank ye ! ;^)

[lonestar]

A house is just a box in which to stay warm and dry; a car is a way to get us from one place to another.

I agree. I've never been into "things" much. Some of my favorite "things" I found in the "Trash" corner of a place called "Trash and Treasures." I have a metal dish that says, "LOVE ME*LOVE MY DOG" that is one of my favorite things but now I don't have a dog.

I have always felt that a roof over my head, "shirt on my back" and enough food to prevent hunger--everything else is "icing."

My friends hate me at Christmas. LOL!

[The Mayor]

Oh boy do I agree with you....

[The Mayor]

Please keep this family in Prayer.
Granson was a good friend, he is at home with the Lord.
G. Granson Geis

G. Granson Geis, 70, a retired land surveyor, died Monday, February 23, 2004
in his Grand Island home; husband of Suzanne (Arber) Geis

His wife Sue is a sweetheart, a few years ago she spent a month handing out Bibles
on street corners in Russia.
I will miss him..

[dansangel]

It is definitely worth the wait ((((((((lonestar))))))))

[dansangel]

Thank you - right from the source.

[dansangel]

(((((((Freezie)))))))

Thank you.

[Cold Heat]

It is definitely worth the wait

My wife and I have tickets for this evening.

She, and I are very excited.

She is very devoted to our church, Yet I have not attended in some 30 years. But I have plenty of training.

I just choose not to go. I am expecting sort of a recharge from this movie as Jesus has always been a person that I respect above all.

I think Newt was correct when he stated last nite that the ramifications of this movie will be tremendous for those of faith and educational for those without.

[prairiebreeze]

Thankyou for your comments. I saw a pre-screening a month ago. Been standing on one foot then the other waiting for it to come out so I can discuss it with others. :^)

It does make us feel small. And ashamed. And grateful. And humbled. And grieving. And lacking. And horrified. And sickened. And hopeful.

And loved. And saved....

Prairie

[dansangel]

I am expecting sort of a recharge from this movie as Jesus has always been a person that I respect above all.

I think you will get even more of a recharge than you have expected. I'm excited for you, too ((((((wirestripper)))))). So great to see you once again.

[lonestar]

My aunt was married to a very intelligent man who was agnostic. He had read the Bible several times and said, "It is the best book ever written." One of his best friends was a missionary.

Uncle was killed in a car accident in Germany. My aunt asked his missionary friend if he thought uncle "went to Heaven" because they had had many conversations on the Bible and religious beliefs. The missionary's response was always, "Jay was a very good man."

[dutchess]

Wow sistah dansy. (and .45man) What a beautiful outstanding touching humbling thread. Mr. D. and I have been somewhat apprehensive about going to see this as we both don't do well witnessing violence. But from your comments as well as the many others I have read...it seems like something we must do. Thank you for bringing this to us today.

[dansangel]

It does make us feel small. And ashamed. And grateful. And humbled. And grieving. And lacking. And horrified. And sickened. And hopeful.

(((((prairie)))))

Makes you wish you could think up *all* of the adjectives, doesn't it? *Humbled* is one of my favorites....so true.

Thank you for sharing that with us.

[Billie]

BRAVO! Dansy, this is absolutely, without a doubt, your most beautiful and moving post ever. It is exquisite. Your presentation is flawless.

[dansangel]

The violence is important in getting out the message of what Christ actually endured for us. It is horrific, it is sickening and it boggles the mind, but it needs to be witnessed for all who believe to *truly* understand.

(((((((dutchess)))))))

[dansangel]

Thank you sistah (((((Billie)))))) I can't take credit for it. Were it not for Mel Gibson and Jesus Christ himself, this post wouldn't exist.

Flawless? Hardly.....I've already bared my soul to Skinny dood. :-)

[Salvation]

Catholic Discussion Ping!

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[The Thin Man]

Mornin', dansy. I'm definitely going to see the movie. Now if I can just remember what a theater looks like....it's been awhile.

expecially = especially

OK, I admit it up front (((((skinny dood))))) - flame away.....

Me, flame away? Of course not! I've accepted the fact that some people just make more mistakes than others and there's not much that can be done about it. :-)

[prairiebreeze]

I believe that it was pointed out well on another thread that the violence in this movie is nothing at all like the violence of pop-culture movies, which we have become fairly desensitized to.

This movie has a POINT to the violence. And it has a message so much larger than just that aspect.

Therein lies all the difference.

Prairie