Bishop Sanborn's Review of The Passion of the Christ

Catholic Restoration ^ | March 2004 | Most Reverend Donald J. Sanborn

[Romulus]

Though I was initially uneasy with the scene because of its "apocryphal" nature, I like its inconography. The Asperges I have already mentioned (did your trad friends really not get this?) More than this, I like the whole idea of the table imagery, which is so rich, on so many levels. The table signifies the altar -- and Who plops Himself down upon it, of his own free will? And still more: being a carpenter, it's Jesus's craft to make things from wood. He avails himself of a thing that's supposedly known, a tree, with a finite life and meaning, and he transfigures it into something else, ordering its "woodness" to a new and permanent life, informed with meaning. "Resurrected" as Table, the wood is saved from fire or corruption, and acquires a new life. It is a scene that keeps on giving, the longer you look.

[Pyro7480]

Wow! Those are some deep reflections on that scene. I'll have to share them with my trad friends.

[franky]

I agree. Gibson's explation for flashbacks was that he wanted to get some breaks from the attacks on Christ. And of course there were only three periods in Christ's life prior to age 12, His birth, His presentation and His teaching in the temple where Gibson could have drawn on Biblical accounts.

Maybe if he had two of these but that would have taken a child actor to do these.

[franky]

Never even thought of that. Thank you!

I have not read or seen any comments on that scene except for this post.

[Romulus]

Having set himself the task of creating a work of art, it was essential for Mel to employ the utmost economy, with nothing gratuitous. Everything is there for a reason, so keep looking and listening till everything falls into place.

[NYer]

Maia Morgenstern plays a very convincing Virgin Mary, but greater praise must be paid to the director, who understood that Our Lady was not merely a wailing woman on the side of the way of the Cross, as she is so often portrayed, but instead a true associate of Our Lord in His passion and death. Only a Catholic would have known to portray her in such a way.

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[TheSpottedOwl]

I guess I'm just going to have to see this movie.

[AnAmericanMother]

My old Episcopal parish did the asperges and the Vidi Aquam during the Easter Vigil, with the church lit solely by candles.

Vidi aquam egredientem de templo a latare dextro,
alleluia:
et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista salvi facti sunt et dicent:
alleluia, alleluia.

Ps. Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus: quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius.

V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum.

Amen.

I saw water flowing from the temple at the right side,
alleluia
And all to whom that water came were saved, and they shall say:
alleluia

Confitemini Domino

Gloria Patri

Amen.

[Annie03]

That is beautiful. Such a perfect description that it brought me to tears. The film deeply changed my faith. My husband, who went with me, was also deeply touched (especially by Mary). He is an atheist (for now). When he told me of how deeply he was touched by Our Lady, I said "to Jesus, through Mary". He knows Mary is who first drew me to the Catholic faith. Thank you for sharing your review.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

The splashing of Mary with water is a clear reference to the Asperges. I'm stunned that a Lefebvreite follower should not get this.

No, no! Psalm 25.6 from the Lavabo! "I shall wash my hands among the innocent."

I also liked Christ quoting Psalm 115.16 (I think at the beginning of the via crucis) "O Lord, for I am thy servant: I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid" in a Marian way. Read the whole Psalm for context.

[Jaded]

It is an AWESOME movie. I'm planning on seeing it for the third time next week.

[Romulus]

I still prefer the Asperges reading, because it serves to illustrate the Immaculate Conception:

P: Thou shalt sprinkle me,
C: Lord, with hyssop and I shall be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

[Coleus]

NJ Catholic priest was so appalled by Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ'' that he described the film as "religious barbarism.'' "I saw it as religious barbarism ... in my opinion, God did not send his son to die,''

[NYer]

I guess I'm just going to have to see this movie.

Oh, yes, you must! In fact, plan on seeing it twice. As one reviewer noted last week, the first time you will find yourself comparing your reactions to what you have read posted by others. The 2nd time is for yourself.

My teenage daughter and I saw it last Friday. We both plan to see it again on Good Friday. The matinee showing was not too crowded. For the remainder of that day, I had images from the movie flashing across my mind. Lent is the perfect season to view this film. Please share your reaction with me, once you have seen it.

[Aquinasfan]

The film deeply changed my faith.

The movie absolutely shattered my mental image of the Passion. And I have a much better understanding of Mary.

My husband, who went with me, was also deeply touched (especially by Mary). He is an atheist (for now). When he told me of how deeply he was touched by Our Lady, I said "to Jesus, through Mary".

Wow! I'll pray for him. You know, the other day I was talking about the film with my priest. He had a very favorable impression, but said that he didn't think it would bring non-Christians to the faith. How can a priest say something like that? A caller to EWTN tonight mentioned a Moslem who had converted as a result of the movie. This movie is going to turn the Mohammedan world on its head if it's shown there.

[Aquinasfan]

It is a scene that keeps on giving, the longer you look.

Great insights! This was my least favorite scene, but now I'm beginning to "get it." This film is so rich.