Paul Harvey Comments on "The Passion" by Mel Gibson

> >The majority of the media are complaining about this movie. Now Paul
> >Harvey tells "The rest of the story" and David Limbaugh praises Gibson.
> >Most people would wait and see a movie before giving the reviews that
> >have been issued by the reporters trying to tell all of us what to
believe.
> >
> >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
> >ministry 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
> >place. 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 probing 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 the Revelation. 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 touch 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 masterpiece, "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." You will be as well. Don't miss it!
> >
> > -- Paul Harvey

Thank you for sharing the words of a man so endearing to so many people. I pray that Mr. Harvey's plea will be heard by many. How exciting if God were to use this film to touch the life of someone we love. I think I'll take my husband out for a very special date-night!