by Brian Butler
2/26/2004
The question many Catholic parents and youth leaders are asking
themselves today is, "Should I allow my teenagers to see The Passion
of The Christ?" If they want their children, students, or youth group
members to see the reality of Christ's sacrifice, love, truth, and
hope, the answer is a resounding, "Yes!"
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see the film at a private
screening in Los Angeles at Icon Productions, and I walked away a
different person. I was so touched that I'm taking almost 200 of my
high school students to see the film today. Why? Here are seven
reasons why we should make sure the youth of our country see The
Passion of The Christ.
1. Teens have heard the story, but they've never seen it portrayed
like this. For years, teens have told me that they know Jesus died
for everyone's sins. They have trouble, however, believing that Jesus
really died for them personally. This movie takes teens into an "up-
close-and-personal" experience of the Passion of Christ in a way
never before possible. Through a beautiful work of art, they have an
opportunity to enter into the powerful and historic moments when
Jesus actually paid for their salvation. Seeing those moments through
Gibson's realistic portrayal will give them more to reflect on and
pray about than they have ever had before. This movie truly brings
the Passion of Christ to life. It makes it real and unforgettable, as
Christ's sacrifice should be.
2. Gibson's film teaches love, not anti-Semitism. Is it anti-Semitic?
Not even close. In my opinion, Gibson goes out of his way to show
that the Jewish people are not collectively guilty of Christ's death.
He clearly shows that some Jewish rabbis on the council thought
Christ's arrest and trial were unfair. When speaking to a leader of
the Jewish Federation in New Orleans last week, I explained to him
that he had nothing to fear from this movie. If anything, the Jewish
people will benefit from this film! Why? When Christians see this
film, it will undoubtedly inspire them to become better Christians,
and that means that they will be more loving to everyone. This film
will help teens to become better Catholics-more loving, not more
hateful.
3. Is the movie too violent for teenagers? I don't think so. Most
parents don't realize how much violence their teenagers see on
television and in the movies. The first 35 minutes of Saving Private
Ryan were intensely violent, but most of the teens I know were
allowed to see it. What's the difference? This movie's violence
happens to someone whom we love very much, and some of the violent
scenes last a painfully long time. However, my appreciation for
Christ's sacrifice grew immensely as I watched, just as my
appreciation for my grandfather's military service in World War II
increased after watching Saving Private Ryan.
It is true that teens should not see this movie alone, and they
should absolutely be given a chance to think, pray about, process,
and discuss the film. Because of the intensity and length of the
violence, I recommend that parents or teachers go to see the film
with their teens. But teens really must see the movie. It will change
their lives. For those under age 13, I would encourage parents to see
the film first and then decide if it is appropriate for their
children.
4. Our culture is saturated with relativism. This movie will help
teens fight it. The Passion of The Christ shows that our Catholic
faith is built around the power of Christ's love. Our faith is about
commitment; about holding fast to what is good, no matter the cost.
Christ's sacrifice was powerful because He willingly stood firm
through extreme physical and emotional pain-He decided to love us and
chose to sacrifice himself for us. His sacrifice is the epitome of
self-giving. Gibson's film visually demonstrates to us that love is
not real unless it is freely given.
This flies in the face of our relativistic and selfish society that
tells our teens to do whatever makes them feel good and to avoid
pain. We are called to love as Christ loved. The Passion allows teens
to see and feel the love of Christ in a unique and powerful way.
5. Our culture is saturated with sin - and this movie is an absolute
antidote to sin. When I left the theater in January, I had a much
keener sense that my sins put Jesus on the cross. In an age where sin
is rarely considered and barely recognized, this film sends a clear
and challenging message to "go and sin no more." I love the teens
with whom I work. At times, this love needs to include some "tough
love." They need to be shown the reality of sin. This film does just
that.
6. This is the perfect opportunity for faith education. Last week, 17
million viewers watched Mel Gibson's interview with Diane Sawyer, and
the media has been playing up the "controversy" surrounding the film
for months. The curiosity of teenagers is now piqued, readying
thousands who would not normally go to Mass, a youth group, or a
campus ministry function to be touched by God's grace in a new way.
What will happen if these teens don't see the movie? Nothing. Our
teens will stay the same, which means that millions will continue to
be more converted to the culture than to Christ. This opportunity to
help their faith come alive will be lost. The movie has the potential
to grip teens and drive them to consider new questions they had never
really thought about. Teens want to know the truth.
7. Teenagers need hope. The Passion will bring it to them. While the
film focuses on the death of Christ, the light of eternal hope shines
through the eyes of Jesus and Mary. When teens see the stark
depiction of evil and pain in this film, it only sets off more
brilliantly the stark contrast of the amazing light of Christ's love-
a love that "shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome
it" (John 1:5). Though they might be disturbed by the graphic nature
of the film, they will be haunted by the beautiful message it brings-
that Jesus' love is so real that he laid down his life for His
friends.
This film could be a new Catholic generation's first step in their
search for truth about Christ and His Church. This is a golden
opportunity to get our teenagers face-to-face with Christ and the
reality of His love for them.
Brian Butler is the Director of Religious Formation at Archbishop
Rummel High School in Metairie, Louisiana and the co-founder, Dumb Ox
Productions, LLC www.dumboxproductions.com.
[Editor's Note: Brian has prepared a free, ready-made plan
entitled "Bringing Teenagers to the Passion." This material is
perfect for teachers, youth ministers, and parents. To get a copy,
write him at passion4teens@dumboxproductions.com. He has a file ready
to email you. Also, Brian took his high school students to The
Passion of The Christ yesterday. Let's pray for his students and all
the teenagers around the world who will see this movie.]
