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ONE CHRISTIAN'S REFLECTION ON THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
By Heidi J. Noh-Kuhn

I recently saw Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" and felt inspired to write about my experience. I decided to go on a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning at 11:00 AM, as the 1:00 PM time slot was already sold out. The film was showing in one of the large theatres and I was lucky to find a single seat available at the top of the stairs in the far back row. I was immediately impressed by the number of people that were interested in seeing a movie about the last days of Jesus' life. The fact that the language spoken was Aramaic and Latin with English subtitles seemed of little concern to the packed movie house. The audience was filled with people of all different ages and backgrounds. There were quite a few babies that cried off and on with parents taking turns holding and rocking them down near the entryway of the theater, allowing them to continue watching the film. Aside from the cries of the babies now and then, the entire audience was silent from the beginning of the movie until the end. It was remarkable to sit inside a large theatre that was filled to capacity and witness such peace and quiet. There was a strong sense of family and community combined with deep reverence for the story being told which transformed the theatre into a sacred space, creating an experience of being in church which I had not expected and found very comforting. I felt surrounded by a sea of individuals that had come to humbly pay homage to a man that embodied love and forgiveness.

As a Christian, I view the life and death of Jesus as a sacred story, one that is filled with examples of mercy, justice, injustice, forgiveness, redemption, transformation and love. It is a story I never tire of hearing, an example that continually challenges me by pointing the way to what is possible when our hearts are open to others and we allow Divine Grace to guide our steps. Every character in the story has a lesson to teach: a reflection of humanity that we are capable of expressing. There are blind leaders that persecute the innocent; friends that are faithful and others that betray and deny; social outcasts with pure hearts of devotion - able to see the truth and follow faithfully; rulers with empathy; strangers that come to the aid of those in need; parents that believe in the Divine nature of their child and are willing to endure difficulty and heartache to protect and support them. The sick are healed, the blind gain sight, and the crippled begin to walk. Children are revered and the humble granted favor. Sinners are forgiven and the unjust challenged to mend their ways.

The Gospels are filled with characters that reflect the very best and worst humanity has to offer. The value I find in studying each life portrayed is what these lives have to teach me about my own. They offer guidance, wisdom, compassion and truth illustrating the consequences of righteous behavior and the pitfalls of sin. These stories were not written to provide me with ammunition for judging others but instead to offer a mirror to gaze upon my own life and contemplate the thoughts and actions that guide my way. What gives these sacred stories meaning is the realization that I am capable of a variety of responses to life and knowing that I am responsible for what I choose.

The point is not for me to scoff at those that were foolish and unjust and revere those that were wise and merciful, but to see myself in each of them and learn the lessons each life has to offer. Looking upon a character in the Gospel story and thinking that I could never do what others have done, is a clear indication that I have lost my way. Instead, when I ponder the cruelty of the Roman soldiers who beat Jesus I ask myself what could lead me to act the same? It is tempting to think I could never do such a thing, especially to someone as holy and innocent as Christ. But who are the holy and innocent? Is it always so easy to recognize the just from the unjust? When looking back it often seems clear who is good and bad, who has chosen wisely in life and who has been misled and foolish. But life rarely presents such clear portraits for us to judge in present time, and when it does, beware!

The greatest value I find in studying the scriptures is to imagine myself in the role of each character and reflect upon the possibility of choosing and responding as they have. Could I say yes to the will of God as Mary did, when it challenges all my social customs and requires me to live in ways that are difficult and terrifying? Is it possible for me to be blind like the Pharisees? To hold my own beliefs so dear that I would be willing to persecute another who thought and lived differently than I. In order for this imagining to honestly work I have to think about the values and ideals my life is built upon, and consider someone betraying these philosophies. After all, this was the reality of the Pharisees. Those who accused Jesus believed he was breaking sacred laws. From their perspective his words and deeds were an offense to God and all that is holy.

The question of the Gospels as I see it, is how I will respond in thought, word and deed to those that break the laws I consider sacred. Jesus was a leader with many followers. Are there any leaders whose power I believe betrays all that I hold dear? How do I respond to this betrayal? Do I treat them as one of my brothers and sisters and recognize the reflection of my own frailty and humanity in their face? Is it really possible to love my enemies and if so what does this mean? These are the important questions Jesus' life and death asks of me.

Jesus lived a possibility. He extended an invitation to know God as He did. To experience God as a loving parent that cares deeply for all of life, reminding us that even the lilies of the field are dressed in finery and not a single sparrow could fall from its nest unnoticed. Jesus said that all of us are children of God and being so we are loved completely. He demonstrated this love through countless examples by washing the feet of his disciples, mixing and dinning with the poor and outcast as well as the priests and Roman tax collectors. When challenged he replied, give to Cesar what is Cesar's and give your love to one another and God. He spoke in parables that are not always easy to understand, but what he lived was love, kindness and mercy to all. He challenged those that claimed they were close to God because they followed God's laws, but missed the point of these laws, which is love. He rebuked those that felt superior to others because of their "righteous" behavior, saying that many will call out to me "Lord, Lord I have been your faithful servant" but only those that have clothed the poor and fed the hungry on my behalf have truly served me.

This was the story of Jesus I held in my heart when I went to see Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ". It was this perspective that allowed me to watch the final hours of Jesus' life with awe and wonder as I pondered the magnitude of his love for God and humanity in the midst of pain and suffering. For me, and I sensed for many in the audience that watched with me that day, it was an opportunity to witness the sacred unfolding of the passion of Christ. If I had been unfamiliar with the story of Jesus or personally unmoved by His love, I can't imagine enjoying the film very much. Without an intimate knowledge of His life and mission I'm not sure what I saw would have made any sense to me. As a Christian I view the passion of Christ, and Mel Gibson's film, as a story that highlights the transformational and healing power of love. To see Christ withstand human cruelty, all the while pointing through his example to another way of being was remarkable to behold.

Jesus was filled with the love of God and humanity. He understood the frailties of those that mistreated and abandoned him. Like a wiser, older brother he looked upon them with compassion, forgiveness and love. He did not come to point fingers at one group of people and revere another; his teachings were for everyone. He lived and preached what he knew to be the truth, that all of humanity, all of life comes from God and is loved by God. His life and death proclaims that all of us are capable of boundless love and healing, just as we are capable of hatred, prejudice and fear. Jesus illuminated a way of life that is possible for anyone that wants it. His life story is a promise, an invitation to know God's love and share this love and mercy with all.