Magyar Egyház, 2004 (83. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2004-04-01 / 2. szám
8. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ Reflections on Mel Gibson’s film: The Passion of The Christ It is not the first time that the streets are echoing the name of Jesus. In the 60s He was a Superstar, and it was not altogether that long ago that wars were fought and crusades launched in His name. Over the years, many have used for their personal advantage His charisma and drawing power in various ways, but there were few who truly followed in His footsteps. And there were even less who became captives in His train, and were not ashamed to say: “I no longer live, but it is Christ who now lives in me.” And this in itself is a miracle, as much as the incarnation of Jesus Christ Himself. Who is this Jesus Christ, whom, thanks to Mel Gibson, millions of people can see again in the same way that the population of Jerusalem once did: humiliated, blood-drenched, tortured, suffering in a way that no one else ever has? This was not a comedy; those who saw the film were faced with a grim reality after which they could not merely say: “Well, that was an interesting film,” and then forget about it. They became confronted with a reality that cannot be ignored and swept under the carpet. I do not mean anti-Semitism, which purposes only to detract attention from the real issue. Nor do I mean the endless brutality, the inhumane cruelty which characterizes mankind and traces itself so relentlessly through the history of man. Nor do I refer to the numerous enlightening scenes that attest to our human nature: the depth of human empathy, fear, betrayal, manipulation, or instinctive desire for self-preservation. No, it is the suffering of Jesus that is the heart of the issue, and more so the person of Jesus that grabs our attention. It is He whom we need take very seriously. Who is this Jesus Christ and what does He want? Why is his personality so mysterious? What is it that sets Him apart from everyone else? Why is it that even after two thousand years our minds and hearts are still captivated and fascinated by Him? Is it true what the Scripture reveals about Him? Is He really the Son of God, whose kingdom cannot be measured by earthly measurements, and Whose path will once again lead back to our world? These are the questions that theatergoers should be faced with these days - for we are living in very unusual times. At this time, I just want to draw your attention to only one thing, namely the purposefulness of Jesus Christ. He was not driven by blind fanatic heroism. He knew why events were taking place in the order in which they were, and He purposefully took upon Himself the enormous suffering to which He was called. The film portrays this well. But perhaps the most surprising to the viewer is that after all these sufferings and the ultimate scene of His death on the cross, one is not left with the feeling that this is the end of the story, and we can go home. The brief clips in the film following the crucifixion point to the fact that what happened on the cross has enormous significance, and His death brings forth something very positive; there is a continuation to these events. But nothing with a mystical nature... but rather something very real, namely a continuation within us. It was not in vain that He died; it could not be that this is just a historical story. Jesus is more than that; He deserves much more than that. There is not one history book which can attempt to confine His story to its pages, nor can the manuscript of the film do so. The same Jesus Who was introduced in the film and Who steps out from the pages of the New Testament continues to fulfill His call by finding His way into the human heart today and tomorrow... tomorrow He will fulfill His mission, He will return again as Messiah of those who await His coming, so it is written in the Bible. But today, as long as the day is long, Jesus Christ has only one focal interest, namely the human heart. He never was and never will be interested in earthly kingdoms, worldly glory or recognition. His singular desire is to rule in human hearts - to reign there irrevocably and without bounds as sole ruler of all of our feelings, thoughts, desires and will. Each one of us must decide for himself or herself if this is good for us or not. As far as 1 am concerned, I could not imagine anything better for myself, I consider the past fifty years with Him as a most fulfilling life experience. Nothing could have enriched my life more than the Crucified, who made Himself nothing in order that I may gain everything. It is a privilege for me to set Him in my life in the place that He deserves. Nothing could make me happier. And this in itself is a miracle, as much as the incarnation of Jesus Christ Himself. Joseph Baranyi Időszerű gondolatok Mel Gibson Passiója nyomán Korábban is voltak már Jézus nevétől hangosak az utcák, volt Ő már szupersztár is, nevében háborúkat is vívtak a múltban. Sokan sokféleképpen kihasználták személyének varázsát, de kevesen voltak, akik követték tanácsát. De legkisebb azoknak száma, akiknek lelkét foglyul ejthette, akik nem átallották ilyet mondani: „Elekpedig többé nem én, hanem él bennem a Krisztus." Mert ez legalább olyan csoda, mint maga a földönjárt Isten Fia. Ki ez a Jézus, akit Mel Gibson jóvoltából emberek milliói úgy láthatnak ismét, mint egykor Jeruzsálem lakói, kínzottan, megalázottan, vérében ázottan, úgy szenvedve, mint soha senki ? Mert ez nem komédia, aki e filmet látta, olyan FflltH Hope &L0VE
