The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Passion Of Christ Can We Learn To Forgive

Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher-Owner

7 April 2004

Easter is being thought about by more people than ever before since Mel Gibson's movie, THE PASSION OF CHRIST was released.

I am surprised by the various television and radio stations that usually never spend time on the subject of Christ but will take whole segments to discuss the film and even defend Mel Gibson.

I went to the movie the first week of its release and found it hard to remain seated for what seemed an eternity.

The movie, the last twelve hours before Christ's crucifixion, never seemed more real, more heart-wrenching and convincing to all who watched.

For all the doubting Thomases who need something more to be convinced of the message of the Christ, this is it.

Gibson has shown in THE PASSION OF CHRIST what he has perceived by reading, praying, and studying. After he had envisioned the suffering of Christ, he said that he just had to tell it so others could understand how much Christ loved them and how much he went through to prove it.

It was Gibson's earlier feelings of terrible isolated emptiness that brought him to his knees. He had always believed, but since 17, a neglected prayer life for some 18 years found him in trouble and feeling empty. In his emptiness, he turned to God in prayer and devotion.

The result is a movie that seemed to me longer than the twelve hours that Christ endured the torture. I can not imagine anyone actually witnessing this, especially his mother.

All the way through, I wanted them to stop. Many times, I would not look. Flashbacks of his life made it more real and unbearable. As Jesus was scourged and tormented, a flashback showed him preaching a few of these words from The Sermon On The Mount: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you." I thought of the many petty things we choose not to forgive, yet God forgives you and me and all those who eagerly scourged and crucified his innocent Son Jesus at the cross.