Letters

The Passion of the Christ (letter)

Arnold Jago

Contents - Nov 2004 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The challenge for Christianity today - Peter Westmore Ad limina: The Pope calls for strong leadership from New Zealand's Bishops - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World British Catholic writers call for a better Mass translation - AD2000 Report Orthodoxy: Anglican Synod 2004: Are liberal Anglicanism's days numbered? - Rev Nigel Zimmerman Deer Park: Transforming our secular culture: the role of women - Marcia Riordan Liturgy: Ad-libbing in the Mass: Does it really matter? - John Young Education: Where secular humanism is triumphing over the Gospel - Fr John Walter Morning Mass: Finding some 'head space': an alternative approach - David Birch Obituary: RIP Michael Davies - The passing of a true defender of the Faith - Michael Foley Letters: The Passion of the Christ (letter) - Arnold Jago Letters: Abortion issue (letter) - Greg Byrne Letters: Reporting abuses (letter) - E. Makaus Letters: Real Latin (letter) - Matt Bruekers Letters: Pastoral problems (letter) - Fr Frank Brennan SJ Letters: Crisis of faith (letter) - Errol P. Duke Letters: Young Catholics (letter) - Nola Viney Letters: State Aid (letter) - George Caruana JP Letters: Archbishop Mannix and State Aid (letter) - T.A. Rigg Letters: Extraordinary ministers of Communion (letter) - Leon Voesenek Letters: Unchanging Mass? (letter) - Fr G.H. Duggan SM Letters: Church teaching (letter) - Carmel Pittari Events: 4 Dec 2004 - International Movement of Catholic Students Australia (Victoria) Books: MARRIAGE UNDER FIRE, by James Dobson - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: From East to West You Gather a People, by Fr Russell Hardiman - Brian Peachey (reviewer) Books: More new titles from AD Books Reflection: Saint Francis and the universal call to holiness - Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM

When Canadian journalist Michael Coren originally saw The Passion of the Christ at a cinema, he wasn't impressed. He gave it a bad review.

Recently he bought The Passion on DVD and something happened.

Coren had been involved in evangelical religion for years. "But now," he says, "I'm convinced that the Church founded by Christ is the Roman Catholic Church.

"The centre of Christianity is not symbolism, but a literal instruction: 'Take and eat, for this is my Body. Take and drink, for this is the chalice of my Blood.'

"The alternating scenes of the Last Supper and of Christ's suffering annoyed me when I first saw the movie. Now these flashes of truth shine a unique light. I believe Jesus is present on the altar at Mass.

"Don't tell me the Church's failings. I've met lousy Catholics and good Catholics. Not relevant. It's the truth of the belief, not the failure or success of alleged followers, that matters.

"Something else. Mary isn't merely a background figure. Through her eyes I see the life and death of Jesus again. She is sublime and perfect, the Mother of us all.

"Mary weeps for her son. Her tears and His blood mingle to bathe the world in hope and love. Despair is smothered. Sin is cleansed. Yes, I see it now. I see it so clearly."

ARNOLD JAGO (DR)
Mildura, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 17 No 10 (November 2004), p. 14