[Bill-Watson]

Yes, Owen, I've seen it.
I wrote this about my first impressions of the movie; there may be more later. I do talk about the final scene, so if that bothers anybody who might still see the movie, don't read this.

We debated about seeing The Passion of the Christ movie, and I read as much as I could about why to or not to see it, on Monachos and elsewhere. We decided to see it this afternoon.
I would like to share some of my thoughts about it, to help my further reflections, and in case anybody's interested in reactions to the movie. These are personally stated, of course, and not deep or theological.

My initial thoughts about “The Passion of the Christ” movie-

It is a movie.
Jim Caviezel is a talented actor, not Christ. It was easy not to make mistakes about that in the movie.
It is graphic and bloody, as everyone said it would be, but that did not draw my (emotional)attention unduly, and is not what I remember most clearly now. There were two things I did not watch, and they were probably not the most graphic, but in recognizing my common humanity with those who were brutalizing Jesus, they hurt me the most.

The image that lingers most in my mind is from the final scene – it is the profile of His face, and then (we see He is alone in the tomb, sitting near His empty robes, clothed in clean white raiment and unblemished, burial robes visible on a stone pallet in the background) He stands.

What have I come away with? Awe and love for the Theotokos, and a fresh realization of my sinfulness and poor faith. Her faith was so pure; and she was also a mother in pain, who knew her Son was the Truth, and that she would stand by Him and give Him her love, faithfully and with dignity, in all His suffering. If I could have a small amount of her faith and love, my cup would indeed overflow.

We ended the day by going to Jordanville for a Vesper service that was perfect for us. (My apologies to you, Fr. Averky, because we didn't have time to talk to you about this; but it's NOT why we were late). That service in it's beauty, dignity, mystery and majesty, had a more profound effect on us than the movie - as I would hope it would!

What I think today is that we went to the movie as a movie, not a religious experience; we went with another committed Christian couple; we are secure in our faith, sinful as we are. The movie was not bad for us in any way I can presently discern, but that may not be true for everyone who sees it. It's not anti-Semitic in any way any of the 4 of us could find. It has left me with a few questions from my Protestant years that I don't know how Orthodoxy thinks about - like, was the crucifixation up on a hill, or was it near the temple? Did the Roman soldiers get drunk and laugh and mock (I think so)? If accurately portrayed, their scorn, derision, and laughter were almost unbearable. And, do you capitalize the same way when talking about a movie that attempts to say something about Christ's life, as when referring to Christ our Saviour, and in the Bible, etc.??

Please ask questions if you have them, and guide me if you see I need it in these reflections.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. May no one fall into sin because of me.
In Christ's love,
Melissa