A Deo et Rege

I watched a little bit of The Passion of the Christ today and was again reminded why I loved this movie. Mel Gibson has portrayed the passion of Jesus in a way unlike any other filmmaker: in all its brutal reality. I particularly love how well he weaves the events of Jesus’s last hours with other events of his life. As a Catholic, I now more fully appreciate his references to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the connection of Christ’s death to the sacrifice of the mass.

My favorite scene has to be when the Blessed Mother is looking for her Son on his way to the cross. Gibson beautifully flashes back to a time when Mary ran to help her young Son after he fell. Now, he falls while carrying the cross and she runs and tells him once again, "I’m here." Jesus, bloody and on his way to his death, turns to her and says, "see, Mother, I make all things new." The scene’s tenderness and love is both beautiful and heartbreaking.

I would highly recommend seeing the Passion of the Christ as we come to the close of Lent and near Holy Week. It’s bloody, for sure, but it’s a good counterweight to the Gnostic tendencies of society and many Christians.

I haven’t blogged much about Terri Schindler-Schiavo, but it’s not because she hasn’t been on my mind. The whole situation makes me so angry because the people in power are failing this woman. Judge Greer should especially be ashamed. I honestly don’t know how this man sleeps at night after denying motions that would allow her to have a chance to live with her caring family instead of dying at the hands of her callous husband. Where are the political leaders taking a bold stand for her? What of "political capital?" Bush and Congress place high priority on bankruptcy reform and social security, but where are they when it comes to life? Sadly, it doesn’t seem to have the same priority. Since I haven’t blogged much on Terri, I would like to point out some excellent links on her struggle:

Myths About Terri (demonstrates Terri’s real state)
Merciless Judge Sends Terri to Ovens (documents the amazing failure of Judge Greer)
Blogs for Terri
Philly Columnist Changes Mind on Terri Schiavo (liberal "right to die" columnist, knowing "uncomfortable details" of her case, changes his mind)
Cardinal Martino Appeals for Terri Schiavo
Vatican Says Pulling Feeding Tube Pitiless
A Federal Law that Could Save Terri (and could save others like her; contact your congressman immediately)