From the Pastor...

There were many other things that Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written. John 21:25 "Have you seen IT yet?" This question seems to be on everybody’s lips. Of course the "IT" is "The Passion’, Mel Gibson’s blockbuster movie on the last twelve hours of Christ’s life. Yes, I did see "it", and while it is a flawed movie on some levels, it has people talking.

This movie is going to open, or shall I say, re-open, the whole genre of the Biblical epic. (I suspect Mel’s next picture will be on the Old Testament to counter the silly charges of his being anti-Semitic). People are hungry for the depiction of the heroic and even of the miraculous. Our society has gotten way too sensitive to anything that challenges or even mentions religion. It’s as if secularism is a constitutional requirement. Folk are flocking to "The Passion" for a variety of reasons but no one appears to be afraid that this movie and the discussions it engenders are going to somehow compromise our secular society. Mr. Gibson should be given an Oscar just for that!!

By the way, the movie is VERY violent, but then again, so was the original event. I did not care for the departures from the Gospel accounts but most were plausible within artistic license, and understandable within Mr. Gibson’s strict Roman Catholicism. I wouldn’t recommend it for children under the age of 13.

One last comment, the movie seems to be bridging differences between Christian Sects. That is VERY good news! So, go see "IT" as part of your Lenten preparation for Easter. You will be glad you did.

Amen,

Hugh

Link to Pastor's Statement for March 2004

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