Only a quarter century after the death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Diaspora started with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.

I've been reflecting today on the movie to come, The Passion; brought to us by Mel Gibson. It will appear a bare sixty years following the Holocaust of World War II. I don't think Mel Gibson had even been born yet.

Now he has the Jewish world in an uproar; and we see every day another protest from them; Down with Mel Gibson's Passion. They are downright paranoid, most of them; forecasting the next great wave of anti-semitism resulting from this film.

It seems strange when we consider the film, and the gospel narratives Gibson has tried to bring to life before our eyes. All Catholics should know they're over-reacting without cause. This film cannot really represent the kind of danger today's Jews are afraid of. In fact, I have the strongest feeling. Why can't it have many blessed and wonderful consequences for today's Jews as God's chosen people. Sensational results, by the Will of Almighty God? WHY?

First: This movie, like the New Testament narrative, presents someone absolutely KNOWN by all Christians to be the Jewish Messiah; the Holy One of Israel! (I know, it's only an actor; but the depiction will be an eye-opener for many Jews, for years to come.) This isn't bad news, for Jews; coming after the Holocaust. It's GREAT news for any devout Jew who will realise it.

Secondly: In this world so sickened by wars and injustice, the glory of Jesus Christ will be apparent to so many millions who have yet to meet Jesus; including countless hopeful Jews. They may well see in the movie what has been preached for 2,000 years now by the Catholic Church: Jesus is the Passover Lamb of their own fathers. They are about to see how the death of God's own Son is what Israel's Paschal Lamb pre-figures since the days of Exodus. They certainly should see. No one can say yet what revelations The Passion will show today's Jewish community, at least in the west. If these occur, God will be the author of that grace. He always has been, for every good soul.

Thirdly, and very importantly: Jews are about to see that far from disparaging their people, the gospels clearly tell ALL the truth which the world rejected about THEMSELVES, the chosen people!

The world will see that the infant Church was mainly Jewish in the beginning; saints and apostles were devout Jews who followed the Messiah, even to their own deaths. These weren't evil Jews; they were saints! The Mother of Jesus is a Jew! Peter: a Galilean Jew. The last supper of Our Lord, a Passover meal; with Christ announcing the New Covenant sealed with His own precious blood. All in line with the words of their own holy prophets. Jews have nothing to fear from Jesus. From some Christians brought up in bigotry, perhaps, but not from their own Messiah. He's a Jew, and He laid down his life for sinners; He's True Man and True God.

I just hope these things will be observable in the scenes of the coming movie; I think so.--

I'm praying for millions of conversions to be realised in time; of Jews who have their eyes opened as they watch The Passion. Instead of starting any new rounds of anti-semitic hatred, I truly believe it will help millions of Jews (as well as Gentiles) to see the infinite holiness of Jesus Christ. That's a tall order for one small movie. But knowing what we all know; that God converts men, not us-- here is a powerful medium in His service. Jews aren't going to be lost. They're going to be FOUND; by Our Lord Jesus Christ. He loves them with all His Heart; we should never forget that.

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), February 20, 2004

Answers

..Bmp:

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), February 20, 2004.

::::::::::

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), February 20, 2004.

once more, bump /

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), February 20, 2004.

Now he has the Jewish world in an uproar

Fortunately, that is not completely true. Among Jewish defenders of "The Passion of the Christ" (mentioned by the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights), the most eloquent is probably Rabbi Daniel Lapin.

-- (Christ@Means.Messiah), February 20, 2004.

I say we watch the movie, if we can stand the blood and gore, and then make a decision on its merits.

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), February 20, 2004.

A decision to what? It's now or never for most Jews. My feelings can turn out completely mistaken, but God willing, some Jews will convert. Not, as their reaction seems beforehand, come away insulted.

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), February 20, 2004.

Although for the last year or two I've seen less and less to appreciate from Joseph Sobran, when he ventures into world politics and political strife, I am pleased to invite everybody today, to see his online article on Gibson's film, The Passion.

Sobran is a practicing Catholic and proud of it. He has never fallen from grace for that. His rants against the state of Israel notwithstaning, he's a level-headed writer.

Everything he says today about the upcoming movie release The Passion, is encourging. he's fair- minded and honest in saying what any good christian should realise.

Find him at this address on the Web: http://www.sobran.com/columns/

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), February 21, 2004.

Art is propaganda. The more Catholic artists infiltrate Hollywood, the better.

"The Resurrection" would be the best sequel to "The Passion." I hope that Mel Gibson will have the divine inspiration to do a sequel.

Let all the non-believers complain. Catholics can NEVER please them.

-- (aarongeorgescu@yahoo.com), February 21, 2004.

...Holly Wood, nearly twenty years ago released "The Last Temptation of Christ", staring William Dafoe...this film left many sneering that Christ could well have been what the movie portrayed..weak, lustful, a drunkard & un-caring, playing into the hands of those represented by other faiths like Islam and Judaism. Members from these religions chuckled.

Yet let a movie portray Islam and Judaism and threats againts the lives of those whom made their opinions are made. Christ has forever been rediculed by those who must envy a being,(absolute purity) who today seems so abound in the nations of this world.

God Bless Mel for standing up for my faith.

-- Raynell (rdejager@absa.com), February 21, 2004.