Youth News: Colleen Curran on The Passion of the Christ

Published: April 22, 2004

There are no words to describe it; there are no means of expression except through tears. There is a chilling feeling amongst all of the viewers, most crying, as the end credits roll and no one leaves the theater. It almost feels as if no air is circulating through the room; everything is just still and silent.

It is amazing how much the story of one man’s death that occurred over 2,000 years ago still brings us to find a deeper respect for our lives and freedoms that are now just taken for granted.

It was a main topic of discussion in my household whether or not to see “The Passion of the Christ.” It took us so long to decide that we finally saw it as a family on one of the most appropriate days, Good Friday. While I watched the movie, I had to look away from the screen every now and then, but more importantly, I felt like I was there. Whether I was in the crowd or feeling the same emotions as Simon of Cyrene, I was mentally there. The movie was produced in such a way that I knew Jesus was dying for the many sins that I have committed. That took awhile to sink in, that Jesus, the Son of God, died for me, nothing more than a lowly sinner.

It is unfortunate that it takes a movie to bring about a deeper realization of faith within Christians, but throughout the centuries all Christians have become somewhat sheltered, especially teenagers, and some tend to live a life of cheap grace, rather than costly grace. In the early church, Christians lived under constant threat of persecution, but yet they lived their lives to the fullest by laying down their lives for their beliefs, although nothing can still compare with Jesus’ sacrifice of His life for us.

Throughout the years, our church has faced heresies, corruption and schisms; but to me it is as if Christians today take their faith for granted, by acknowledging Jesus with their lips, but not showing the world His actions by their example.

However, this movie is now bringing the truth back into the theaters, and back into daily lives. I believe this movie is so powerful because, as humans, we tend to see, and then believe, quite like Thomas the Apostle. The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all contain the same effect of the movie; however, those Gospels have now been visualized in a film.

I have yet to see a movie based upon a book that is better than the book itself. Though Mel Gibson does portray the message of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection without the glamour of Hollywood tainting it, the Word of God still has a more powerful effect on me, though I will perhaps never look at a crucifix in the same manner again.

Colleen Curran, Freshman