Catholicism in The Passion

[HistoryTeacher]

Hi,

I was talking with a non-denom about Mel Gibson’s The Passion and I brought up that I’m glad that so many non-denominational Christians thought it was so accurate even with all the Catholicism in it. (I was probably looking for an argument!) Anyway, he denied it and said “No, it’s not really that Catholic, just an accurate description of Jesus’ last hours.” I then went on to mention that it follows the Stations of the Cross. . .even including Veronica and how Mary appeared to have no other children but Jesus and how important his blood was as she was washing it up. ANYWAY, it got me thinking. . .any of you know of a list or can you list here other things in the film that are distinctly Catholic Christian rather than protestant/non-denominational Christian? I know it’s hard because we share so many things in common but I think the Passion is an excelent tool for bringing others closer to the fullness of truth. . .especially once they’ve seen and love the film and feel that it is entirely accurate. Anyway. . .THanks ahead if you can list some things from the movie that are distinctly catholic.

Brandon

 

[preyoflove]

Well, how about the part where John looks at the cross being slowly lifted up and fit into the hole, while recalling our Lord lifting up the Bread, which is his Body, and later on the Wine, which is His Blood. This scene is even preceeded with the stripping of our Lord’s garments in preparation for the crucifixion with a memory of the pieces of bread being place in some sort of a basket and the hand of our Lord removing the piece of cloth that covers them. This scenes are a clear testimony to the True Presence in the Holy Eucharist and the connection between the unbloody sacrifice in the Upper Room and the bloody sacrifice at Calvary. That’s one for the list.

Peter calling the Blessed Virgin Mary “Mother” before fleeing in shame into the night. That could be another one for the list.

Shalom, amen.

 

[Maccabees]

You know I have had this response come back to me too.
A lot of protestants I think our of sheer ignorance just don’t see the obvious catholcism there. THe flashbacks between the crucifixion and the last supper is ohh so catholic. But some lifetime protestants don’t see the sacrafice of the mass and the crucifixion as being connected anyway so it simply goes over their head.

On the other hand a lot of ex-catholics who have left the church for protestantsim with even a semblance of the faith (which all too much the case) can see in that semblance the explcit catholcism represented here. This has many of them to reevaltuate the church.
That’s a good thing.

But you know what when I read the gospels there are so catholic too the teachings of Jesus require us to do good works the miracles many times are a forshadowing of the eucharistic meal.
And of course John 5 the evangelical reads those same pasages and concludes they are not catholic at all but represent the teachings of Bob’s Baptist. So in that respect I can see how even a catholic film like the passion can be seen as protestant. People want to see what they want to see they view the scriptures and film with the theological glasses that they were formed with.
This is why the tradition of man teaching is so important. What is ironic is that is the teaching they throw at the catholic church yet they fail to see the apostolic teachings we have and have replaced them with their own tradtions of man.

 

[mrS4ntA]

How about when Mary was seemingly able to see the Devil and stared hard at him for a few seconds during the carrying of the Cross?