Posted on 06/26/2003 7:02:56 PM PDT by Polycarp
I SAW THE PASSION
Barbara Nicolosi
6/26/03
So I was at a private screening at Icon Productions yesterday, and got to see a rough cut of The Passion. There were about twelve people in the room, including Mel Gibson, his producing partner Steve and four or five other Icon staffers. After the screening, we talked to Mel and friends for about an hour. (As cool as that was, the quality of the film was such that the celebrity stuff was completely gone from the moment. I can't explain it really, except that it would be like standing in the Sistine Chapel next to, well, someone like Mel Gibson. Great art is a great leveler....) The rough cut we saw obviously didn't have the final score or special effects, and there were many more sub-titles than they will have in the finished film.
So, here's my take...
The Passion is a stunning work of art. It is a devout, act of worship from Mel and his collaborators - in the way that Handel's Messiah and Notre Dame were artistic acts of worship in previous times.
Let's get the controversy out of the way right at the top. The film is faithful to the Gospel, particularly St. John. It is no more anti-Semitic than is the Gospel. There are at least two members of the Sanhedrin who come forward to protest on Jesus' behalf during the sham trial. The Romans are just as guilty of cruelty and hatred against Jesus in the film. And best of all is a final look right into the camera of Mary, holding her dead Son. She is looking at all of us with a kind of , "Look what you've done"/This is for you" expression. A cinematic Pieta worthy of Michelangelo.
Having seen the film now, I can only marvel that the attacks are pretty much demonic. Hopefully, the devil will end up spitefully biting his own tail on this one-- as he does in The Passion by inciting on the executioners of Christ, and thus being complicit in his own ultimate defeat. The Passion is high art. It is the greatest movie about Jesus ever made. In the discussion following the film, Mel and co. were asking us how mainstream theater audiences would react to the film. I told them, "Who cares? What you have here is so much more than just a product to sell. It will live forever, regardless of whether it is a commercial success for you or not."
For those of us who love Jesus, The Passion is devastating to watch. It is so good, I almost couldn't stand it. There is one moment on the way of the cross sequence, in which the whole tragedy unfolding devolves into a vicious riot of hatred between Romans and Jews with the Savior on the ground in the middle of it getting it from both sides. It was so frenzied and terrible, I wanted to run from the room. But then, the film again finds Mary, Jesus's Mother on the sidelines, and her presence gets us through it. Kind of like how Mary's presence helped Jesus get through it, it seemed to me.
The film is lovingly Marian. Mary is perfectly portrayed here. She is contrasted repeatedly with the really super creepy Satan character, who is also a woman (something for the feminist theologians here? heh heh...).
The film is strongly Eucharistic. There is a beautiful juxtaposition of images that cuts from the stripping on Calvary to the unwrapping of the bread to be used at the last Supper. Fabulous stuff.
Every Christian needs to see this film at least once. Just to remember, in our current comfort zones while evil is closing in, the price that was paid for us. On my way home from the screening, I found myself praying in the car, "Jesus, I'm so sorry, I forgot..." How many films have led you to compunction lately? The Passion is a miracle.
DOUBLE BUMP!
I think it's a nice twist. Satan has many disguises, and as far as I know, this is a new one for cinema.
Now, when a believer dies it is for them to stand before the Lord. Before when a believer died, the spirit descended to Abraham's bosom. Now they reside in heaven.
No need to get wrapped up in walking into a baptismal chamber though to be so baptised in the spirit, although such an act performed through faith in Him also happens to be a baptism of spirit. Simple belief in Him allows the Holy Spirit to enter as the sin has already been atoned and He may begin His work in the believer.
IMHO, the real satanic attacks will probably be in the nature of human good works independent of God. Lot's of crusader-type arrogance, appeals to works of man under the law as opposed to growing in Him through faith. Lots of human good, which without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is nothing more than 'good-for-nothingness', but consistent with a satanic system of counterfeiting God's plan.
Whatever.
The translation includes YOU...to be blessed within the trinity...I added Mel's name to be blessed in the name of the trinity, in addition to YOU.
If you have a problem with the YOU part, then ignore it, and get a life.
My apologies, txzman, no intent in my post to tell you how to view Mary. I was only stating a generality amongst we Catholics.
And honoring her, as I wrote, does not put her about Our Lord Jesus. Rest assured, at least those of us in the US, put the Lord at the top of the line.
Have a blessed weekend.
No, wait, I take that back. Better get a Latin dictionary.
I'll just be getting into the Passion part of the book this weekend. Thanks for the "kleenex" heads up.
Perhaps "disdain" was a little harsh of a term to use, notably on this particular thread. Thanks for the call on it.
I guess my point is, that I, (speaking as an individual) would honor her, and hope to gain favor in the Eyes of our Good Lord Jesus, as opposed to have Him look down at me without favor, for not giving her some reverence and respect. It is His mom, after all :)
He still leads off in the line up in Heaven, as far as I'm concerned.
Have a great weekend.
I don't think so.... it is a niche film in a foreign language with no sutitles. It may be good, but few will actually see it.
It was a Pentacostal, who above all, loved God, who really planted the seed in me to become baptized....it finally happened at age 36.
I didn't join the Pentacostal Church, but I love their enthusiasm for The Lord.
It's happening.
(sorry, not another "line" from another Gibson movie, lol)
Our parish is doing scripture meetings weekly over the summer for people to attend. Our first meeting last week drew quite a number of people on a week day night, when most are out on vacation.
Our pews have "missalettes" where the weekely readings and scripture passages are found. I look around, and many are reading them along with the pastor (for The Gospel) or lector, as the Word of The Lord is read. I prefer to close my eyes and listen to The Proclamation.
New (potential) Catholics, and many converts, at our parish anyway, get at least one hour of scripture sharing weekly. This is a key (and very important) component when they eventually give the nod in favor of joining the Catholic Church.
I am in the RCIA /OCIA (Rite, or Ordination and Initiation of Catholic Adults) program at our parish, and I look to three "cradle Catholic" friends of mine I Look to for scriptural reference, who are so well versed, it's wonderful. One of them participates weekly in scripture sharing with other Christians of other demominations.
Catholics really do read the Bible! :)
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