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Here's what he said about my buddy Mel, incidently I really can't WAIT to see this movie, later tho, I hate packed theatres.
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Paul Harvey Comments on "The Passion" by Mel Gibson
Paul Harvey's words:
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,
DC 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 mini stry 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 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, DC were shaking indeed, but this time from sobbing. I am not
sure there was a dry eye in the pl ace. 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 probin g 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 touc h 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 than 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 mast erpiece, "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."
P.S. : Mel Gilbson stated he did not appear in his own movie, by his
choice, with one exception: It is Gibson's hands seen nailing Jesus to
the cross. Gibson said he wanted to do that because it was indeed his
own hands that nailed Jesus to the cross (along with all of ours.)
Please copy this and send it on to all your friends to let them know
about this film so that all go see it when it comes out.
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