[lolla]

@ dem gal,
I so totally agree with you. I liked your anaylsis.
It is a masterpiece, and it made/helped me take a look at myself. Sometimes pictures tell a story better than words, and I think Mel put it just as it is in the Bible. He is a blessing to mankind for making this movie, (putting out his own cash btw, not wanting to be nominated for awards etc). He did what we are called to do, spread the word to all people and nations.

In my opinion, the moral of the story is, 'I took Jesus to the cross, and caused Him all that pain, and it's all for nothing if I don't style up and live a righteous life, and take everyone I can with me down that path. He went through all that for me, the least I could do is live to the very best of my ability, and to make matters worse/better, it's all for my own good, He doesn't get anything from it, I get all the benefits. How stupid can we get not to take a gift given to us, and the only thing we have to do is unwrap it - accepting Jesus as our Saviour, and living for Him? God knows I would be a dumb ass if I didn't...

[O_D_D]

>I am not catholic, I am currently looking for a church,

Haiya, kwani the church has now become penpal worthy?

[kigeto]

MEL'S PASSION

What exactly did Mel Gibson mean when he told CHRISTIANITY TODAY that
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST is a "Marian film"? He was simply saying what
most of the Catholics in the audience recognized: the movie is a visual
presentation the 14 Stations of the Cross, a meditative devotional on
the passion of Jesus. The reason it is "Marian" is because the Stations
are beheld from Mary's point of view. The Stations have as much to do
with Mary suffering vicariously with Jesus for our sins as do His
sufferings, and perhaps more. Her continual appearances in the film
testify to that.

Here are the words to the song that is sung as the "Way of the Cross" is
ceremonially presented in the Catholic Church:

At the cross her station keeping, Mary stood in sorrow weeping When her
Son was crucified.
While she waited in her anguish, Seeing Christ in torment languish,
Bitter sorrow pierced her heart.

With what pain and desolation, With what noble resignation, Mary watched
her dying Son.
Ever patient in her yearning Though her tear-filled eyes were burning,
Mary gazed upon her Son.

Who, that sorrow contemplating, On that passion meditating, Would not
share the Virgin's grief? Christ she saw, for our salvation, Scourged
with cruel acclamation, Bruised and beaten by the rod.

Christ she saw with life-blood failing, All her anguish unavailing, Saw
him breathe his very last. Mary, fount of love's devotion, Let me share
with true emotion, All the sorrow you endured.

Virgin, ever interceding, Hear me in my fervent pleading:
Fire me with your love of Christ.
Mother, may this prayer be granted:That Christ's love may be implanted
In the depths of my poor soul.

At the cross, your sorrow sharing, All your grief and torment bearing,
Let me stand and mourn with you. Fairest maid of all creation, Queen of
hope and consolation, Let me feel your grief sublime.

Virgin, in your love befriend me, At the Judgement Day defend me. Help
me by your constant prayer. Saviour, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers receive me With the fruits of victory.

Virgin of all virgins blest! Listen to my fond request: Let me share
your grief divine
Let me, to my latest breath, In my body bear the death
Of your dying Son divine.

Wounded with His every wound, Steep my soul till it has swooned In His
very Blood away. Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, Lest in flames I burn and
die, In His awe-full judgement day.

Savior, when my life shall leave me, Through your mother's prayers
receive me With the fruits of victory. While my body here decays May my
soul your goodness praise, Safe in heaven eternally. Amen. Alleluia.


[This is a Mary quite contrary...to the Mary of the Scriptures.]

[ET]

christ happened thousands or years back.this is no time to think about christ;my concern is how much did gibson make out of it.

[mumbi]

10inch, you nailed it.....this flick should have been called "The Passion of Gibson"....Overall, the movie was simply 'underwhelming'

Love it or hate it, I felt neither emotion as I left the theater. As far as I was concerned, I was just doing my duty as a 'hata'. Not being a religious type I could care less because the beef is not mine, but that White Hippie Jesus was a bit of a stretch for me!!!

[kigeto]

Jesus is relevant even today because of his deah on the cross we have the opportunity to experience eternal life.I finally went 2 see it.It has some very serious distortions and exagerations but the picture of Jesus suffering and death out of love is also very compelling and at the end people are asked to give their lives to Christ.If only for that I recommend all believers to take atleast one nonbeliever t watch the movie you never know what God might do:)

[Dee Dee]

Gibson wrote the film not for the christian audience per se but for himself.

he confessed that the original film message was the crucification but why the unfocused approach and he streamlined himself to the specific.

the only querry is where is the spirituality? then number two the film is R rated which means the children to whom pleaded let them come unto me are locked out.

the violence is overdone , though i got no problem with that this is a movie and a movie unlike a book or afilm does not seek to flatter but to stretch emotions- that he did!!

Finally lets halt the arguement that Gibson failed it was a movie to himself, not to theological reviewers!!

[Whitehead]

Passion...

I watched the movie twice. On both occassions I was overcome by a very powerul urge to sleep even though I made sure my usual caffeine intake was doubled (I even had instant coffee at hand in the theatre)..I am convinced that "the evil one" was out to get me hahaha.
So as you can see, while our Lord and Savior was fighting to overcome sin, I was having my own battles to overcome sleep.

I particularly liked the protrayal of Judas. That was the funniest part of the movie..seeing those kids eat him and torment him to suicide. One reason to laugh coz the rest of the movie was sure bloody hell. The images of Satan still haunt me in my sleep. I hope that the actor who played Satan does not walk around the streets scaring little babies. If I saw him in person I would faint.

The first few minutes of the violence were blood-curdling. After that I figured that no one can survive all those many lethal blows for days and still be able to walk; let alone answer back to Pilate. Thus I watched on knowing that this was "just a movie". The part that almost led me to tears though (I really really made sure it did not happen) was Jesus' final moments on the cross when he was crying 'Eloi'. I got a little emotional there...

I guess the movie was meant to depict "the ultimate sacrifice" and it did so to pinlike precision. It was good to see Jesus sometimes have moments of weakness; like when he asked God to take the cup of suffering from him.

If you haven't watched the movie go watch it. If you have watch it again :).

Peace

[TeamManager]

I have to confess I don't understand the whole suffering (particula what could not be sceenplay, i.e. Our shameful sin being placed on Jesus), how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the intense love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end. I don't understand it, but it SURE DOES MAKE life worth living.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God.
Col. 3:17

[kigeto]

I think its a clear illustration that God is not above the unfairness we all face in some form or another in this existence on earth.Maybe it will explain to those who doubt God's sovereignity when they are faced by things they cant understand they think God is unfair what do you think Jesus felt when He a sinless man went thru all that agony and suffering?