MEL GIBSON'S "THE PASSION" VIEWED IN DC
Keith A Fournier is a constitutional lawyer and a graduate of the John Paul II
Institute of the Lateran University, Franciscan University and the
University of Pittsburgh. He holds degrees in Philosophy, theology and law.
He has been a champion of religious liberty and appeared as Co-counsel
in major cases at the United States Supreme Court. He is the author of
seven books and, along with his law practice, serves as the president of both
the "Your Catholic Voice Foundation" and "Common Good."
_______________________________________________________
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." You will be as well. Don't miss it!
Keith A Fournier is a constitutional lawyer and a graduate of the John Paul II
Institute of the Lateran University, Franciscan University and the
University of Pittsburgh. He holds degrees in Philosophy, theology and law.
He has been a champion of religious liberty and appeared as Co-counsel
in major cases at the United States Supreme Court. He is the author of
seven books and, along with his law practice, serves as the president of both
the "Your Catholic Voice Foundation" and "Common Good."
_______________________________________________________
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." You will be as well. Don't miss it!
