Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.
What can we do? Get the video round the blogosphere for starters. Be ready for the snippy comments that say "It is only a dramatisation, it is not real." Answer by reference to the much worse tortures and indignities suffered by Chinese Catholics in reality.
If only the BBC could be persuaded to show that video before every broadcast of the Beijing games... It's also a good thing to show those who disparage 'organized religion'.
Kitsch disfigures the face of God. It may sell by the $million but so do hamburgers, and look at the effect they have on health and obesity. Kitsch has the same effect on the spiritual life. I would be more impressed by this histrionic clip if the main character did not look like somebody's boyfriend. The ugly, middle-aged bishop has far more credibility and the lived-in look of a genuine priest, rather than a model from a clerical tailor's catalogue. I agree with an earlier commentator, the desperation of the Church in China deserves better than this emotionally indulgent charade.
so do hamburgers Err... Yes. The point of the comparison is that it is good if such film techniques promote a good message (awareness of the plight of the Church in China) rather than one that is bad or neutral (desire for hamburgers.)
somebody's boyfriend Eh? What does a young priest have to look like in order to avoid looking like somebody's boyfriend? (An old priest perhaps?)
Actually, I didn't think the Bishop looked ugly - but who am I to judge. He seemed to have a kindly fatherly face.
emotionally indulgent How about "moving"? That is how many people have found it to be.
Perhaps 'emotionally manipulative' is more accurate than 'indulgent'. It moved me to anger rather than sympathy. Have any Chinese seen it; if so, what is their reaction?
emotionally manipulative Or, again, "moving". The emotions provoked might be those of sadness for the plight of Catholics in China, horror at their treatment, tears for their suffering, righteous anger which issues in active campaigning and perhaps others.
If the video provokes these emotions, I am happy enough and I am sure that the Chinese Catholics will be glad that someone is taking their suffering seriously.
We can all see it's a dramatisation (I doubt that any of priests in a similar situation would don a stole at such a moment), but it is nonetheless moving and effective. Drama is being used here to make a point. The plight of the underground catholics in China is desperate and they are heroic. I was moved to tears and will embed this in my blog.
I think Gretel's comments are fantastic and hope she will start her own blog one day. She reminds me of Dame Hilda Tablet, if anybody remember who she was, only twice as butch. With all these weepers I can't help wondering what's really going on on the Catholic blogosphere. It seems to be turning into the Catholic Fireside.
I couldn`t watch this until the end. But I KNOW I wasn`t being emotionally manipulated. I was undergoing a REALITY CHECK. Until we know and experience what these living saints are undergoing for their Catholic faith, we cannot even imagine what it is to go an INCH in their shoes. I am going to stop moaning that we do not have a full time priest anymore. I am going to stop whingeing about having to drive a few miles to find a Mass that fits in with ME and MY life. And, I am going to pray and fast with proper sincerity and devotion for more vocations. This video ( which I didn`t fiish viewing) has made me full of gratitude.
This is Eric Forrest; I am quite at a loss for words at the effect this film has had on you all. I wish I could have kept it on youtube, but there were copyright issues that USC had an issue with. I'm going to try to get it back online. In the mean time, take a look at my website if you get a chance: www.supportafranciscanvocation.org
17 comments:
I wept
This made me weep. What can we do?
Thanks so much for this. I have embedded it on my blog and hope all Catholic bloggers will give this the publicity it deserves.
Mea culpa, for the many times in my past life that I grumbled at having to get up or change plans in order to get to Mass.
What can we do?
Get the video round the blogosphere for starters. Be ready for the snippy comments that say "It is only a dramatisation, it is not real." Answer by reference to the much worse tortures and indignities suffered by Chinese Catholics in reality.
If only the BBC could be persuaded to show that video before every broadcast of the Beijing games... It's also a good thing to show those who disparage 'organized religion'.
Yes, all you say is true. But I don't think the hideous reality of the Church in China is helped by kitch.
I beg to differ. Kitsch sells products by the $million. It may help raise awareness and prompt people to find out the truth.
Kitsch disfigures the face of God. It may sell by the $million but so do hamburgers, and look at the effect they have on health and obesity. Kitsch has the same effect on the spiritual life. I would be more impressed by this histrionic clip if the main character did not look like somebody's boyfriend. The ugly, middle-aged bishop has far more credibility and the lived-in look of a genuine priest, rather than a model from a clerical tailor's catalogue. I agree with an earlier commentator, the desperation of the Church in China deserves better than this emotionally indulgent charade.
so do hamburgers
Err... Yes. The point of the comparison is that it is good if such film techniques promote a good message (awareness of the plight of the Church in China) rather than one that is bad or neutral (desire for hamburgers.)
somebody's boyfriend
Eh? What does a young priest have to look like in order to avoid looking like somebody's boyfriend? (An old priest perhaps?)
Actually, I didn't think the Bishop looked ugly - but who am I to judge. He seemed to have a kindly fatherly face.
emotionally indulgent
How about "moving"? That is how many people have found it to be.
Perhaps 'emotionally manipulative' is more accurate than 'indulgent'. It moved me to anger rather than sympathy. Have any Chinese seen it; if so, what is their reaction?
I have a dreadful feeling Gretel Kung looks like somebody's boyfirend.
emotionally manipulative
Or, again, "moving". The emotions provoked might be those of sadness for the plight of Catholics in China, horror at their treatment, tears for their suffering, righteous anger which issues in active campaigning and perhaps others.
If the video provokes these emotions, I am happy enough and I am sure that the Chinese Catholics will be glad that someone is taking their suffering seriously.
We can all see it's a dramatisation (I doubt that any of priests in a similar situation would don a stole at such a moment), but it is nonetheless moving and effective. Drama is being used here to make a point. The plight of the underground catholics in China is desperate and they are heroic. I was moved to tears and will embed this in my blog.
I think Gretel's comments are fantastic and hope she will start her own blog one day. She reminds me of Dame Hilda Tablet, if anybody remember who she was, only twice as butch. With all these weepers I can't help wondering what's really going on on the Catholic blogosphere. It seems to be turning into the Catholic Fireside.
Wow, what an interesting batch of comments!
Did any of you read the credits at the end? If not, take a look. (You may have to hit the pause button.)
My opinion? Well done.
I couldn`t watch this until the end. But I KNOW I wasn`t being emotionally manipulated. I was undergoing a REALITY CHECK. Until we know and experience what these living saints are undergoing for their Catholic faith, we cannot even imagine what it is to go an INCH in their shoes. I am going to stop moaning that we do not have a full time priest anymore. I am going to stop whingeing about having to drive a few miles to find a Mass that fits in with ME and MY life. And, I am going to pray and fast with proper sincerity and devotion for more vocations. This video ( which I didn`t fiish viewing) has made me full of gratitude.
This is Eric Forrest; I am quite at a loss for words at the effect this film has had on you all. I wish I could have kept it on youtube, but there were copyright issues that USC had an issue with. I'm going to try to get it back online. In the mean time, take a look at my website if you get a chance: www.supportafranciscanvocation.org
Peace and blessings,
Eric
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