Film stirs passionate responses

My husband, son (Jacob, 14), and I went to The Passion of the Christ on Feb. 28. Our daughters (Angela, 18 and Emma Lee, 16) went to a special screening with Roncalli High School on March 4.

Before seeing the movie, we went through the Boston College study guide for viewing the Passion: www.bc.edu/research/cjl/meta-elements/partners/CSG/passion_guide.pdf, and skimmed the gospel Passion accounts.

The www.beliefnet.com website had some particularly helpful articles that shed light on the non-biblical scenes of the movie. One contained links to the text of the writings of the two visionaries Mel Gibson researched and incorporated into the movie.

I do not think this movie is appropriate for children under 13. I found this webpage to be an excellent source for parents: www.smp.org/resourcepage.cfm?article=467. I recommend parents of teenagers to view it before or with their children for better communication.

I realize that the violence may not be all that new to some children who enjoy many secular movies, but I hope that children seeing The Passion of the Christ would be mature enough to understand that this movie is not a fantasy or mythical legend, but a depiction of the real basis of Christian faith.

Our daughters would have appreciated at least an hour after the movie to reflect on it, or have a guided discussion. Because of the wide range of emotional and spiritual maturity of adolescents, it is extremely important that adults prepare them before seeing the movie and stay at hand after to help them through the experience.

I think the movie has inspired a deeper spiritual experience for me this Lent. Images come back to me at different moments, and as I discuss the movie with others I continue to gain new insights.

The violence was overwhelming. I did not watch every scene. At times I watched peripherally, to be alert when the scene may change or for subtitles, but not seeing the torture in full detail.

I am still processing the movie. For instance, I was not sure I liked the inclusion of a personification of evil in the film until I celebrated liturgy on Sunday morning and was struck by Lk 4:13. Suddenly, I was grateful that Mel Gibson felt it was important to put a visual reminder for us that evil is among us. Images from the movie came to mind during the Eucharistic Prayer.

I appreciated the flashbacks of the Last Supper during the crucifixion to link in our minds what Jesus was asking us to do in memory of him, and to help us understand that Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation encompasses all time and space to be alive at the Eucharist today. "This is my body ... This is my blood" has new images also.

I would remove the following scenes:

- the immediate disfigurement of Jesus' face during the arrest;

- the chain-bound Jesus falling off the bridge after his arrest;

- at least half the scourging scene (could a person flogged so relentlessly truly have the ability to continue through the rest of the crucifixion alive? Tradition is 39 lashes, which have always been more than enough for me

- Judas tormented by demon/children;

- The source of Judas' rope - gruesome

- Jesus carrying the full cross (I believe he carried the cross-piece only. If not, the movie should have shown the other two criminals carrying full crosses too);

- cross falling forward and Jesus' apparent suspension in mid-air;

- crow plucking out thief's eye;

- Satan's cry after Jesus' death.

My husband said he did not like Mel Gibson showing them "make hamburger out of Jesus."

I was a bit confused by the scene in which Mary and Mary mopped up Jesus' blood after the scourging, but I now know that came from the visionary.

The movie would have been improved by more depictions of Jesus' ministry and teachings. Christians will have no problem putting The Passion of the Christ into context with the significance of the resurrection and Jesus' ministry, but non-believers may not without education and guidance. I also think many Christians may be confused by the non-biblical additions to the movie.

This movie has the most powerful and moving portrayal of Mary I have ever experienced. I enjoyed the beautiful portrayal of women throughout the movie. They are very inspiring to me. One of the most powerful scenes was when Mary and the presence of evil were walking on either side of Jesus.

As a mother, I was moved to tears by many of Mary's flashbacks and by her steady love and support for her son. "Flesh of my flesh, heart of my heart" are words every mother can relate to.

Mel Gibson has created a movie that will remain a popular work of art for a long time. There are so many levels in the movie. I think it can be used in whole or in parts as a teaching tool. I am not recommending that everyone must see it. Anyone who does not have a stomach for the violence and gore should not force themselves through it. This movie will be available for years on DVD and video. I will watch it again with our youngest two children when they are old enough.

I agree with the USCCB that the movie risks distracting people from the message due to the excessive violence and gore. As for the fear of stirring up anti-Semitism, I think Mel Gibson did a wonderful job of preventing it. Anyone who uses this movie against Jewish people likely came to the movie as an anti-Semite.

- Colleen Riesterer, Reedsville

Seeing The Passion of the Christ has made my Lent and Catholic faith more meaningful. Everybody should see this movie; it will make you a better person.

- Sara Grossheim, Maribel

I'm over 65, and one of the people "sensitive to violence, gore, blood and guts," referred to by Peoria youth minister Mike Filamor (3/12). I will not see Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion. I avoid seeing violent secular movies, too, like Saving Private Ryan or Schindler's List. I know all of these things happened. I'm not willing to see them on film. I agree with youth minister David Lara that this type of graphic violence doesn't make me be more spiritual.

What I hear of Gibson's movie suggests that it includes a sick glorification of violence for the sake of violence. Possibly, the young generation is so inured to violence on screen, and so little experienced in real life violence, it needs this picture.

I reject the notion that it is a "must see" movie, or that "every adult" should see it I would want parents and youth leaders to see it before deciding which youth might be helped, not harmed, by it. Note that the marketing plan for this movie was to invite Evangelical clergy and church groups to pre-release screenings, essentially making clergy salespeople for Gibson's movie. Note that the move is making lots of money for him.

It takes some theological or faith education to grasp how a brutal beating and death of Jesus means God loves us, I think. I accept it on faith, but do not claim to understand it. My pre-Vatican II catechesis included both solid doctrine and hellfire and brimstone. No more of the latter for me.

I grew up being scared by newsreels about WW II. At that time, people still read for information and inspiration. I continue to read. I know Jesus died for me and for all of us. I've experienced the grace of accepting suffering that's come my way, and offering it to God along with Jesus's perfect sacrifice. Two "quiet" experiences of Jesus's passion have touched my heart. The simple line, "Jesus was stripped of his garments," tells me volumes about total vulnerability. A painting, The Deposition, by the artist Caravaggio, shows Christ's dead body being taken down from the cross. I felt the reality of his death when I saw it. Part of the Vatican's art collection, it was shown at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art over 20 years ago.

- Barbara Germiat, Appleton

I am an active parishioner at St. Mary in Peshtigo. I have decided not to see the movie, The Passion for a couple reasons. For one, I know it would disturb me very much, it would totally drain me emotionally, and I would have nightmares. There are enough disturbing things we hear about in our world that I would not want to seek it out (I know my limits just as I won't watch horror movies or other violent ones).

I also know in the depths of my soul what Jesus did for me, the suffering, humiliation, the horror of the end of his life and I love him deeply for doing this for us, I don't need to see it on the big screen. I also don't believe it would make me any more spiritually blessed or change my life for the better.

I've heard that some parents are taking their young children to see this movie and would plea with others not to expose their children to this graphic violence.

- C. Warren-Wandke, Peshtigo

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