Unprofitable Servant

I found the movie very powerful and had many thoughts/impressions:

•  I was moved by the number of people who lined up to receive the sacraments for the “last time” before it was illegal and restricted. I’m saddened by the number of people today who are indifferent to the sacraments. I’m bothered by the number of Catholics who exit the Church in haste after communion but before the final prayer. Would they be in such a hurry if they knew it was their last time? Sadly, the answer is probably yes.
• I was moved by the witness of the holy priests who stood silently and without opposition for execution, many of them vested for Mass, defiant, yet hope filled and forgiving of their executioners. “Viva Christo Rey!”. I’m saddened by the many priests, myself included, that are weak and timid in the face of mild difficulties, inconveniences and minor confrontation.I’m saddened by the lack of genuine prayer and fidelity to Christ that has infested, demoralized, and weakened the priesthood. With conviction and humility Peter O’Toole’s character proclaimed, “I serve the Prince of Peace.” Amen!
• I was struck by the violence and hatred directed at Catholics, the brutal, maniacal torture of the innocent. I’d like to believe, “It couldn’t happen here” or “It couldn’t happen today.” But I’m saddened to know that it can and in fact it does. Today many innocent men, women and children are brutalized in this world because of their faith. I had conflicting feelings watching young Jose being executed…I was touched by his sincerity, his perseverance, his unwavering faith. He was so Christ like (perhaps intentionally). At the same time I wanted to vomit. The brutality against the most poor and vulnerable, the innocent, the children makes me want to vomit.  And to know that there are children who even today suffer such atrocities …many of them unborn… it makes me angry. And I am saddened that more of us are not angry. I’m saddened that more of us do not want to vomit. I hate this world and the ruler of this world. I long to meet the One for whom these children suffer and die. I pray for vindication. I pray one day the world will be held accountable.
• Perhaps the thing I found most uncomfortable about the film were the Catholics who took up arms and killed men, even if not innocent men, in defense of freedom. Perhaps they were even justified. I don’t know. But I think the final dialogues of the movie hinted at the reality that it is the blood of the martyrs and not the bullets and guns of the just or unjust that God uses to His glory. We have too few martyrs today. We have too few faithful Catholics. We have too few men and women who are willing to suffer for truth, for faith, for hope and for love.

After watching the film I find myself emotionally conflicted. But perhaps that is the way we are meant to feel after seeing the movie.