Ate Glo: ‘Passion' a marvelous movie

President Arroyo took time out during her Holy Week break to watch the film "The Passion of the Christ," and described it as "wonderful" for graphically bringing the sacrifices of Jesus to a new generation.

The President, a devout Catholic, watched the movie while on spiritual retreat with the First Family in Baguio City during Holy Week.

A visibly recharged Mrs. Arroyo appeared before the media yesterday, when she conducted a brief press conference at the Ridgebrook Hotel in Bontoc, where she proceeded after a two-day retreat at the country’s summer capital.

She said Baguio Bishop Carlito Senson and St. Joseph the Worker parish priest Fr. Manny Castro officiated their family retreat on Maundy Thursday.

"Part of the retreat was also to see ‘The Passion of Christ’ because we discussed also for reflection and part of the sharing of the retreat masters," she told reporters.

"It was a very good time to reflect on the sacrifices that Jesus Christ underwent for our salvation, which has become very, very graphic again for this generation because of that wonderful movie," she added.

"The Passion of the Christ" is a movie about the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life produced by award-winning actor Mel Gibson. It depicts the torture and slow death by crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It opened in the Philippines in time observance of the Holy Week and has attracted huge crowds despite warning that it may be too gory for younger people.

The President made no comment on the criticisms that of the movie was too violent ant carried anti-Semitic undertones.

The movie has received critical acclaim in the United States and has been endorsed by the Catholic leadership here for its faithful account of the last 12 hours of the life of Christ based on Biblical narratives.

The makers of the film said they specifically selected American actor Jim Caviezel to play the role of Jesus Christ. Caviezel’s initials are JC and he is 33 years old — the same age as Jesus Christ when he was crucified.

Caviezel is also a devout Catholic and was granted an audience with Pope John Paul II after filming the movie.

After watching the movie, Mrs. Arroyo said, their retreat masters "re-enacted" some of the Holy Week rites.

"On Thursday, we re-enacted the Last Supper by having our own Passover meal with bitter herbs and unleavened bread, fruit and vegetables and the fellowship that was the custom during the time of Jesus Christ," she said.

"The next day, we had the annual confession and counseling, the Holy Thursday services from one o’clock to six o’clock in the evening," she added.

In her Easter Sunday message, Mrs. Arroyo greeted Filipino Catholics and cited the resurrection of Jesus Christ as "one of the most important celebrations in the Christian world."

"Today, let us give importance to the renewal of life and new hope, which was redeemed by the suffering and life of our Jesus Christ, the Lord, because of our sins," the President said.

"Let us use this as an inspiration for our new life and new hope to ensure a better future for our children," she said. "We, too, must sacrifice and suffer, if we must, to attain our goals of peace and prosperity that we have handed down to them."

The President also quoted Romans 12:12 from the Bible: "The Lord asks us to offer our bodies to Him as living sacrifices. Our sacrifices today shall bring us to attain our goals for a bright future."

The President said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof that, despite our difficulties, there is salvation.

"Let us thank God for the hope he has given us. May this hope reign so that, in unity, we can achieve the most significant change that we all aspire for," she said. — Marichu Villanueva, AFP