| The Gospel of Jesus, rated R Well imagine that. The movie generating the biggest buzz out of Hollywood right now tells the story of Jesus. Who would ever have guessed that Hollywood, infamous for its sleaze, sex and violence, would generate controversy over retelling the story of Jesus? Go figure. Upfront I need to say that I havent seen Mel Gibsons version of the telling of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Im writing this about one week before the movie opens to the public. And to be honest, Im not sure I want to see it. Its Gibsons interpretation of Jesus last hours on earth, and while I will defend his right to express his opinion, I will also defend my right to disagree with it and to not spend my eight dollars (or more) to go see it. Gibson, as the whole world must know by now, is a traditional Roman Catholic who thinks his whole church would be better off if it hadnt enacted the reforms of Vatican II. He bankrolled the whole film, from start to distribution, and is unapologetic about its no-holds-barred take his take on the last 12 hours of Jesus life. My fear is that many people who see the film will view it as fact. Images have power. It is one thing to read the Gospels; it is another thing to see a graphic interpretation of them. This is whats behind all the anti-Semitic noise were hearing. Some people are afraid that there will be huge anti-Semitic backlashes after people see the movie because, after all, the Jews killed Jesus, right? The National Council of Churches is trying to help. It published A Reflection Gbwc_superusere to the Movie The Passion of the Christ. (www.ncccusa.org) This one page, suitable-for-church-bulletin inserts lists five suggestions for individual and group reflection. It also has three background items, including the question, Who killed Jesus? The answer: The Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, condemned Jesus to be killed by Roman soldiers under his authority. Some Jews called for Jesus to be killed because they felt that Jesus threatened their authority (the vast majority of Jews did not!). The NCC also rightly mentions that Jesus was born a Jew, lived as a Jew and died as a Jew. The insert also contains this interesting note: Even though we have not yet seen the movie, we are aware that dramatic depictions of the passion story have a tragic history. Inflamed by such depictions, some Christians have labeled Jews Christ-killers, which, in turn, has sometimes led to acts of violence against Jews. So without seeing the movie, the NCC is going to help you and me reflect on it? I wonder how they do that? Steve Beard, editor of Good News magazine, actually saw the movie last November at a special screening and writes about it in the March/April issue. Church folks should be warned, he wrote. This is not a family-friendly Christian movie The Passion is the most brutal movie you will probably ever see. People will be sobbing in the theaters or running out to get sick in the lobby. It is fair to say that anyone leaving the movie theater with anti-Semitic fervor would have to be deranged and morally warped or they didnt watch it. Another reviewer agreed with Beard that the movie is not appropriate for children under 17. In other words, it deserved its R rating. The images are too disturbing and too violent for children. But thats exactly how Gibson wanted it. He told Diane Sawyer on ABCs Primetime Feb. 16, I think it (the movie) pushes one over the edge so that they see the enormity, the enormity of that sacrifice, he said. Its very violent and if you dont like it, dont go, you know? A Catholic priest interviewed on the radio the next morning had seen the film. He left the theater feeling like hed had Christs blood spilled all over him. Maybe thats the point of the whole movie, he said. Maybe Mel Gibson wanted us to know what it feels like to be saved by the blood of Christ. If nothing else, Gibsons movie has succeeded in reminding me of the power of the passion narratives. Several years ago, at a Good Friday worship service, instead of preaching a sermon, I read aloud the entire 18th and 19th chapters of John. When I was done, you could have heard a pin drop. After worship, while shaking hands at the door, one parishioner came up to me visibly upset. If I had known you were going to talk about nothing but death tonight, I would not have come, he said. I did not know how to respond, other than to tell him that today is Good Friday, and yes, Jesus died a horrible death. But Sunday is coming. Whos going to tell Gibsons audience that? | 
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