JESUS - Jubilee Edition Video

Reviewed by Johanna O'Farrell

Contents - Apr 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: 'If Christ is not risen, then your faith is in vain' - Peter Westmore John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family to open in July 2001 - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World Former Townsville Bishop's admissions on liturgy practices - Bishop Raymond Benjamin Is Townsville the model for Ballarat's priest shortage? - Michael Gilchrist Archbishop Curtiss on implementing the theology 'mandatum' - Archbishop Elden Curtiss US parishioners more outspoken about church "renovations" - Zenit News Service Thomas More Centre Summer School 2001: "Building a Culture of Life" - Michael Daniel How to avoid banal, superficial liturgies - Bishop Kevin Manning Rights of unborn are inalienable - Archbishop Barry J. Hickey Tanzania's Father Winfried makes return visit to Australia - Martin Sheehan Letters: Melbourne RE texts (letter) - Barbara Chigwidden Letters: Sponsorship (letter) - Barry O'Brien Letters: Legal action (letter) - Chris Joseph Letters: Inaccuracy (letter) - Fr Michael Kalka PP Letters: Ambiguities (letter) - Valentine Gallagher Letters: ACU Syllabus (letter) - John Kelly Letters: Stations of the Cross (letter) - Charles Bignold Letters: Good responses (letter) - Hyacinth Morel Letters: Dress code (letter) - Raymond de Souza Review Article: A 'silly book' from ACU professor of theology - Frank Mobbs Books: Keeping The Faith: Making a Difference by Wilson D. Miscamble - Michael Daniel (reviewer) JESUS - Jubilee Edition Video - Johanna O'Farrell (reviewer) Books: 'Contraception: The Hidden Truth' by Christine de Stoop - Katie Forster (reviewer) Books: The Apostles' Creed, Defend the Faith and other apologetics topics - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: 'The Atonement Child' by Francine Rivers - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: The Seven Cities of the Apocalypse, by Roland J. Worth - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Reflection: Giving witness to the Gospel of Life - Rebecca van Rensburg

(Rome: Millennium Films International, 2000. Inquiries AD Books)

Reading from the Bible never satisfied completely my imagination as to what Jesus was like, nor my sense of the presence of this most influential person who ever lived. While a movie depiction can help bridge this gap, it is especially important that it portray the Son of God correctly and respectfully.

In this regard, the Jubilee Edition Video Jesus is highly successful, managing to capture a vivid sense of Jesus, his life and times. The movie, which is based on Luke's gospel, focuses on Jesus' miracles and sermons. It is faithful to the gospel and delivers the authentic message of Jesus in a powerful way.

Having commenced with the Annunciation, Visitation and Presentation, Jesus briefly covers the childhood of Christ. Later, the everyday examples Our Lord used to deliver God's message to an uneducated and predominantly illiterate people are presented as equally relevant for our times as they were 2000 years ago.

We see Jesus as the "peoples' saviour" who preaches among the everyday men and women of Israel, providing a present day audience with a stronger appreciation of Jesus' love for mankind, rich and poor. There are numerous scenes where the faith and devotion of people coming into contact with Jesus clearly shines out.

A major challenge for any film on the life of Jesus is how to depict his passion and death on the cross. In Jesus the violence of Our Lord's death is gut-wrenching and breathtaking: seeing the nails being driven into his hands really stuck in my mind, and would, one hopes, influence anyone who sees the film, when next tempted to sin. The potential for such a beneficial influence makes Jesus a valuable resource.

The part of Jesus himself was well portrayed, with a loving, friendly down-to-earth character who, nevertheless, radiates a sense of holiness among the people. I strongly recommend this video.

Johanna O'Farrell is a Melbourne Catholic secondary school student.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 3 (April 2001), p. 17