Recieved an e-mail today containing a review of Mel Gibson's controversial film "The Passion". There has been much conversation about this film even though it has yet to be released. It is a depiction of the life and death of Jesus and apparently it is very graphic. I also understand that it is very true to the text of the New Testament. I believe that it is in Hebrew, not English and does not have subtitles. It has spurred a great deal of dialogue about the film creating anti-semitic attitudes as the Jews are made out to be the "bad guys" who killed Christ and it is believed that this will cause people to think negatively about the Jewish people.

I am anxiously awaiting the release of this film and the review I share with you here has hightened my desire to see it.

This controversial movie is going to be one shown for many years, just
like the Ten Commandments... Mr. Fournier was among those present at a
private viewing of the film.


Deacon Keith A Fournier is a constitutional lawyer and a graduate of the
John Paul II Institute of the Lateran University, Franciscan University and
the University of Pittsburgh. He holds degrees in Philosophy, theology law.
He has been a champion of religious liberty and appeared as co-counsel in
major cases at the United States Supreme Court. He is the author of seven
books and, along with his law practice, serves as the president of both the
"Your Catholic Voice Foundation" and "Common Good".


Here is what he had to say about the movie:

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 D.C. 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 (Deacon), or the
birth of my children.

Frankly, I will never be the same. When the film concluded, this "invitation
only" gathering of "movers and shakers" in Washington, D.C. 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 Rosa. 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?"

Frankly, 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, then 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." You will be as well. Don't miss it.

And, I would like to add these thoughts. This film is going to receive more
scrutiny and be the focus of more public debate than any film EVER.

The argument that this film is anti-Semitic will be played 1000's of time a
day in every household across America... across the world. To me...a most
crucial "discovery" of this man's "experience" is the reality that "my sins
killed Jesus." The full weight of this truth is enormous! What an
opportunity for millions and millions of people to "discover" this through
the film. So... I encourage you to think carefully about how you're going to
respond to the "debate" because there will be one. It's a great opportunity
to witness about what it means to be a Christian... and nowhere is it
appropriate or biblical to point a finger at the Jewish race. To do so is to
stand squarely in His face and say... "You died for nothing!"

Please pass this along to your Christian friends and family... to those that
will truly understand the message... so that they can be prepared to respond
in such a way that bears a positive witness to Jesus' death and
resurrection.