Well, advice actually. Especially from the LC’s who have survived parenthood. As you know Good Friday is coming up. As a Catholic it is a central part of Holy Week, when we remember the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ. This Good Friday is also the last Good Friday before my Princesses First Communion. You Catholic readers know the significance of that event, and I’m sure the rest of you can imagine.
So here’s my problem. A few years ago when Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ came out in the theater Bangie Thing and I saw it. When the lights dimmed the most amazing thing happened. People put their sodas and popcorn down, turned their phones off, and stopped talking. Except for quiet weeping, there wasn’t another sound until the movie was over. It was that powerful of an experience. What I saw on the screen was what has been sanitized from the modern representations of the suffering and Crucifixion of Jesus. Not to be too cliche about it, but it was in fact a religious experience. I was moved to a new understanding and appreciation of the Mystery of the Eucharist.
Now that my daughters are about to become full communicants in the Church, I want them to have the same understanding of exactly what Christ endured for us, and have a better understanding of just how crucial the Eucharist is. That was something that I was denied until that moment in the theater. Unfortunately in today’s world words such as “suffered, died and was buried”, “scourged” and “chastised” don’t carry the weight they did when they were written. The visual barbarity that was brought home in the movie showed the true extent of what Christ suffered that day 2000 years ago like no verbal description ever could.
Now, despite being my offspring, the Princesses are still girls, and they are only seven years old, so I’m concerned that the movie may be too much for them. Especially when I consider that Princess Walnut, my youngest by two minutes, cried during the Stations of the Cross. They do have a serious Tom Boy streak, it’s not like they’re squeamish, but those of you who have seen The Passion know that it’s not for the faint of heart. Of course I would be watching it with them and there would be a serious talk about what they had seen, but at the same time I don’t want them having nightmares about Jesus.
So my plan is to watch The Passion with the girls on Good Friday after the Stations of the Cross. I would really value y’alls input though before I make my final decision. I’ve already spoke to my parish priests and have received some very good guidance both pro and con. If there’s anyone who can debate an issue to death, it’s y’all and one thing I’ve learned is that the experience and opinions of the readers here are an invaluable resource.
So what say you?
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