I received this in via e-mail from a friend tonight.
A critique of The Passion from Andy Rooney.
The "PS" was interesting.
M
From: "Michael"
To: "Terrie (E-mail)" ," Kavran (E-mail)"
Subject: FW: Pls read....Hummm ?
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 14:26:17 -0800
Hummm ?
Maybe everyone now is so sick of hearing the comments about the movie, "The
Passion." but here's one of the commentator, Paul Harvey giving
his own views.
I pray that God will prepare millions of hearts to see this movie not to
feel the brutal, torture of the Lord Jesus but to feel GOD's love for us
that He gave His only Son Jesus to die for our sins...
Paul Harvey's words:
I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been invited to
a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion," but I had also read
all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up in a Jewish town and owe
much of my own faith journey to the influence. I have a life long, deeply
held aversion to anything that might even indirectly
encourage any form of anti-Semitic thought, language or actions.
I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion," held in Washington, DC
and greeted some familiar faces. The environment was typically
Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile but seeming to look
beyond you, having an agenda beyond the words. The film was very briefly
introduced, without fanfare, and then the room
darkened. From the gripping opening scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, to
the very human and tender portrayal of the earthly ministry of Jesus,
through the betrayal, the arrest, the scourging, the way of the cross, the
encounter with the thieves, the surrender on the Cross, until the final
scene in the empty tomb, this was not simply a movie; it was an encounter,
unlike anything I have ever experienced.
In addition to being a masterpiece of film-making and an artistic triumph,
"The Passion" evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and emotional reaction
within me than anything since my wedding, my ordination or the birth of my
children. Frankly, I will never be the same. When the film concluded, this
"invitation only" gathering of movers and shakers" in Washington, DC were
shaking indeed, but this time from sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry
eye in the place. The crowd that had been glad-handing before the film was
now eerily silent. No one could speak because words were woefully
inadequate. We had experienced a kind of art that is a rarity in life, the
kind that makes heaven touch earth.
One scene in the film has now been forever etched in my mind. A brutalized,
wounded Jesus was soon to fall again under the weight of the cross. His
mother had made her way along the Via Della Rosa. As she ran to him, she
flashed back to a memory of Jesus as a child, falling in the dirt road
outside of their home. Just as she reached to protect him from the fall, she
was now reaching to touch his wounded adult face. Jesus looked at her with
intensely probing and passionately loving eyes (and
at all of us through the screen) and said "Behold I make all things new."
These are words taken from the last Book of the New Testament, the Book of
Revelations. Suddenly, the purpose of the pain was so clear and the wounds,
that earlier in the film had been so difficult to see in His face, His back,
indeed all over His body, became intensely beautiful.
They had been borne voluntarily for love.
At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to recover, a
question and answer period ensued. The unanimous praise for the film, from a
rather diverse crowd, was as astounding as the compliments were effusive.
The questions included the one question that seems to follow this film, even
though it has not yet even been released. "Why is this film considered by
some to be 'anti-Semitic?" Frankly, having now experienced (you do not
"view" this film) "the Passion" it is a question that is impossible to
answer. A law professor whom I admire sat in front of me. He raised his hand
and responded "After watching this film, I do not understand how anyone can
insinuate that it even remotely presents that the Jews killed Jesus. It
doesn't." He continued "It made me realize that my sins killed Jesus" I
agree. There is not a scintilla of anti-Semitism to be found anywhere in
this powerful film. If there were, I would be among the first to decry it.
It faithfully tells the Gospel story in a dramatically beautiful, sensitive
and profoundly engaging way. Those who are alleging otherwise have either
not seen the film or have another agenda behind their protestations. This is
not a
"Christian" film, in the sense that it will appeal only to those who
identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. It is a deeply human,
beautiful story that will deeply touch all men and women. It is a profound
work of art. Yes, its producer is a Catholic Christian and thankfully has
remained faithful to the Gospel text; if that is no
longer acceptable behavior than we are all in trouble. History demands that
we remain faithful to the story and Christians have a right to tell it.
After all, we believe that it is the greatest story ever told and that its
message is for all men and women. The greatest right is the right to hear
the truth.
We would all be well advised to remember that the Gospel narratives to which
"The Passion" is so faithful were written by Jewish men who followed a
Jewish Rabbi whose life and teaching have forever changed the history of the
world. The problem is not the message but those who have distorted it and
used it for hate rather than love. The solution is not to censor the
message, but rather to promote the kind of gift of love that is Mel Gibson's
filmmaking masterpiece, "The Passion." It should be seen by as many people
as possible. I intend to do everything I can to make sure that is the case.
I am passionate about "The Passion."
P.S. From Julie: My daughter, Kristin, tells me they learned at
her church Youth Group that Mel Gibson stated he did not appear in his
own movie, by his choice, with one exception: It is Gibson's hands
seen nailing Jesus to the cross. Gibson said he wanted to do that because
it was indeed his own hands that nailed Jesus to the cross (along with
all of ours.) |
