Harvey comments on The Passion

[Guest guest]

Harvey Comments on " The Passion " by Mel Gibson

Harvey's words:

I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been

invited

to a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film " The Passion, " but I had also

read all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up in a Jewish town and

owe much of my own faith journey to the influence. I have a life long,

deeply held aversion to anything that might even indirectly encourage

any

form of anti-Semitic thought, language or actions.

I arrived at the private viewing for " The Passion, " held in Washington,

DC and greeted some familiar faces. The environment was typically

Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile but seeming to look

beyond you, having an agenda beyond the words. The film was very briefly

introduced, without fanfare, and then the room darkened. From the

gripping opening scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, to the very human

and

tender portrayal of the earthly ministry of Jesus, through the betrayal,

the arrest, the scourging, the way of the cross, the encounter with the

thieves, the surrender on the Cross, until the final scene in the empty

tomb, this was not simply a movie; it was an encounter, unlike anything

I

have ever experienced.

In addition to being a masterpiece of film-making and an artistic

triumph, " The Passion " evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and emotional

reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my ordination or the

birth of my children. ly, I will never be the same. When the film

concluded, this " invitation only " gathering of " movers and shakers " in

Washington, DC were shaking indeed, but this time from sobbing. I am not

sure there was a dry eye in the place. The crowd that had been

glad-handing before the film was now eerily silent. No one could speak

because words were woefully inadequate. We had experienced a kind of art

that is a rarity in life, the kind that makes heaven touch earth.

One scene in the film has now been forever etched in my mind. A

brutalized, wounded Jesus was soon to fall again under the weight of the

cross. His mother had made her way along the Via Della . As she ran

to him, she flashed back to a memory of Jesus as a child, falling in the

dirt road outside of their home. Just as she reached to protect him from

the fall, she was now reaching to touch his wounded adult face. Jesus

looked at her with intensely probing and passionately loving eyes (and

at

all of us through the screen) and said " Behold I make all things new. "

These are words taken from the last Book of the New Testament, the Book

of Revelations. Suddenly, the purpose of the pain was so clear and the

wounds, that earlier in the film had been so difficult to see in His

face, His back, indeed all over His body, became intensely beautiful.

They had been borne voluntarily for love.

At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to recover, a

question and answer period ensued. The unanimous praise for the film,

from a rather diverse crowd, was as astounding as the compliments were

effusive. The questions included the one question that seems to follow

this film, even though it has not yet even been released. " Why is this

film considered by some to be 'anti-Semitic? " ly, having now

experienced (you do not " view " this film) " the Passion " it is a question

that is impossible to answer. A law professor whom I admire sat in front

of me. He raised his hand and responded " After watching this film, I do

not understand how anyone can insinuate that it even remotely presents

that the Jews killed Jesus. It doesn't. " He continued " It made me

realize

that my sins killed Jesus " I agree. There is not a scintilla of

anti-Semitism to be found anywhere in this powerful film. If there were,

I would be among the first to decry it. It faithfully tells the Gospel

story in a dramatically beautiful, sensitive and profoundly engaging

way.

Those who are alleging otherwise have either not seen the film or have

another agenda behind their protestations.

This is not a " Christian "

film, in the sense that it will appeal only to those who identify

themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. It is a deeply human, beautiful

story that will deeply touch all men and women. It is a profound work of

art. Yes, its producer is a Catholic Christian and thankfully has

remained faithful to the Gospel text; if that is no longer acceptable

behavior than we are all in trouble. History demands that we remain

faithful to the story and Christians have a right to tell it. After all,

we believe that it is the greatest story ever told and that its message

is for all men and women. The greatest right is the right to hear the

truth.

We would all be well advised to remember that the Gospel narratives to

which " The Passion " is so faithful were written by Jewish men who

followed a Jewish Rabbi whose life and teaching have forever changed the

history of the world. The problem is not the message but those who have

distorted it and used it for hate rather than love. The solution is not

to censor the message, but rather to promote the kind of gift of love

that is Mel Gibson's filmmaking masterpiece, " The Passion. " It should be

seen by as many people as possible. I intend to do everything I can to

make sure that is the case. I am passionate about " The Passion. "

Please copy this and send it on to all your friends to let them know

about this film so that all go see it when it comes out.

P.S. From my friend :  My daughter, , tells me they

learned at her

church Youth Group that Mel Gilbson stated he did not appear in his own

movie, by his choice, with one exception:  It is Gibson's hands seen

nailing Jesus to the cross.  Gibson said he wanted to do that because

it

was indeed his own hands that nailed Jesus to the cross (along with all

of ours.)