The Passion of Christ

[Rev. Eric]

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

I saw the Passion of the Christ today.  Very moving!  Very profound!

I thought it would be good to open a topic for people to discuss the movie.  Maybe not so much a discussion about all the public controversy, but a place where people can share their own reflections.  But I'm not trying to set down any rules here, so I invite people to discuss the controversy if they desire to.

Melody Green of Last Days Ministry recently said (concerning the graphic nature of the movie) that the movie is difficult to watch, but that is why we need to watch it.  Having now seen the movie, I think I know what she meant.

We all know that Jesus suffered and died for our sins.
Furthermore, the sufferings of Christ had a divine nature to them, and by this I mean that His sufferings 2000 years ago transcended time and space to bear the weight and pain of all sin: past, present and future.
Therefore, any sin I chose to commit today caused Jesus pain 2000 years ago in Jerusalem.

So when I saw such a graphic representation of what Jesus had to endure, I kept thinking, "I have contributed to that!"  It was a very sad and sobering thought.  It is also a strong incentive to truly strive to avoid sin in the future.  Even "little sins" add thorns to the crown.

God bless,
-Rev. Eric

[tklein1014]

I saw it last night.  It was brutal and very difficult to watch.  There was more than one part that I simply couldn't watch, just hearing it was enough.  I went into it knowing this, though, and knowing that even if it was difficult to watch, it was necessary to watch.  I thought the devil woman & her demons were pretty creepy.  I couldn't help feeling sorry for Judas.  I have a whole new appreciation for Mary.  It was emotionally wrenching & draining.  I laughed some, I cried a lot.  I thought it was good that Mel inserted flashbacks and a little comic relief here and there to take our minds off the torture for a few minutes.  That's what it was - watching an innocent man being tortured for 2 hours.  It wasn't fun to watch, but it was necessary.  If what I've heard is true, that the actual event may have been even worse, no ordinary man would have survived long enough to be crucified.  I challenge anyone to walk out from seeing that movie and not believe.  All that my Lord went through for me and everyone else, it's amazing.  He's my hero!

Tina

[Ajay]

I really wonder whether it will release here in India and if it does, whether it will be mightly censored.

Anyways, I will try to get my hands on a dvd-rip soon!

[Seeker]

My wife and I saw the movie last night.  I would not describe it as being "entertaining."  It is a great work of art and a sobering experience. It certainly helped being familiar with the Gospel to understand the movie.  For instance, it helped knowing that Judas allowed Satan to enter Him before betraying Jesus.

The whole thing has helped to personalize Jesus and Mary and Peter and John and the whole suffering and resurrection for me.  Since the movie, Jesus has been in my thoughts more, and I am trying to remain more aware of the effect of my sins.  I think it will affect the way I see the Mass as a remembrance from now on too.  The concept of redemptive suffering takes on real meaning.

One thing I didn't get was the demon baby Satan was holding during the worst part of the scourging.  Anyone have any ideas as to the symbolism of that?

[tklein1014]

In the particular scene you mentioned, the symbolism I got from that was that it was kind-of Satan's mockery of the familiar Madonna & child image.  It was like Satan & anti-christ child, or something.

Tina

[Seeker]

Thanks Tina, that makes sense to me.  Especially since Mary was suffering so much seeing Jesus being tortured.

[Seeker]

By the way Tina, glad to see you back!

One more comment on the Passion.  I'll never pray the Sorrowful mysteries or look at the Eucharist and Mass the same way again.  I have a better appreciation for the sacrifice Christ performed.

[Seeker]

Ajay,

Looks the Passion will be shown in India next month or so.  It even made it past the censors according to the linked article.

[Ajay]

Ajay,

Looks the Passion will be shown in India next month or so.  It even made it past the censors according to the linked article.

I know

Its releasing on May 7th.

My friends want to go see it. Don't know if I will though  

[Melody]

We managed to get a copy of the movie and watch it on Maundy Thursday - because I was very very keen to see it before Good Friday - which proved really good as I was able to truly have a Holy Good Friday meditating on every aspect of His suffering & death, esp at the time of the Stations of the Cross.

I wrote a kinda review of the movie at my blog with my Top Ten on 'The Passion of the Christ'.

Also, Seeker, it's weird you should talk about the Satan & Baby scene, because it was one thing that really confused a lot of us too. A bunch of us were discussing the movie on a later date & we couldn't quite figure it out. Tina, I guess what you said about it being a mockery of the Madonna & Child Jesus must be true.

Blessings,

Melody

[Ajay]

Thanks to U. Colin, I now have a copy of the movie

[Seeker]

This is an innocent question for those who have a copy of the Passion of the Christ.  How did you get a copy of the movie?  Is it already released on VHS or DVD in India?

[Ajay]

I got it from a friend coming down from abroad.

[Melody]

Seeker in response to your qs:

How did you get a copy of the movie? Is it already released on VHS or DVD in India?

The truth is that the movie hasn't yet released in Mumbai/India yet. It is scheduled to release on the 7th of May 2004.

However there are abundant Rips / Pirated copies (I'm not sure what the techy term is) which did their rounds in Mumbai for sure (I'm not sure about the rest of India). It was so abundant that even local cable operators played the movie several times over during Holy Week.

The film has made it past censor boards without any censoring - which is a first for India wrt foreign films & there is a lot of publicity being drawn out for it because I guess it's well known that the most of the target audience has already seen a ripped version.

I for one, will however make sure to catch the real thing on big screen & watch it in original color & sound [will ease my conscience about watching rips too ]

Blessings,

Melody