I have watched Mel Gibson's The Passion every Good Friday since it came out in the theaters. It has become somewhat of a yearly tradition for me.I know there are a lot of discussions about whether the film paints Jewish people or Roman people in a bad light, but I try and put that debate aside and enjoy the film as a way to spend time with Jesus. To me, the film helps me connect with what Good Friday is all about - Jesus suffering for our sins. And on this topic, Mel scores a 10 in my book.
The film is dark, depressing, and painful. And this is exactly what a movie about Christ's suffering should be. There is a 10 minute clip - where the Roman guards are whipping and beating Jesus - that is excruciating to watch. There is one part in particular where it seems like they can not beat him any more ... and then they roll him over and continue to torture him. It makes me sick to my stomach - and that is exactly the way I want to feel on Good Friday.
If I feel that bad just watching a reenactment, I can only imagine how it felt to those who witnessed it live. (And of course, how horrific it must have been for our Lord.)
But He endured it all. He endured for me, and for you, and for everyone else who will follow Him.
Thank you, Jesus, for suffering so greatly for our sins. May we never forget your Sacrifice.
I hope you all have a very Spiritual Good Friday.
God Bless.
3 comments:
I also like to watch this movie on Good Friday to.
I was telling my husband what a good movie this is. He said, "How could you say it is good?" But it was good in the sense like how you described here in your post. It's a good movie because it shows humankind how much the Lord suffered for us. And as hard and difficutlt it is to watch some of the parts in the movie, I want to watch it because I want to try and grasp the reality of Christ's suffering. I know that I will probably never truely grasp the understanding of the Lord's passion, but hopefully with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be able to get a sense of Christ's real passion. Good post.
Great post Michael!
I must confess...I still have a very hard time watching The Passion. It just breaks my heart.
I cannot imagine what it must have been like for Our Lady to see Him suffering and know she couldn't do anything to stop His agony.
Thank you for encouraging all of your readers to reflect on Good Friday in its excruciating entirety.
I also watch the passion every year. It is very unsettling but it's supposed to be.
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