[Apologetics] Therese movie

[Stuart D. Gathman]

I had the opportunity to see Therese at the Regal Cinema in Alexandria
this past weekend.  I saw it twice, and bawled copiously throughout both
sittings.  As a Protestant, I cringed as statues were carted about and
bowed to.  There was also one line that I think may have crossed the line
into Mariolatry, where Mr. Martin says to a statue of Mary, "Holy Virgin,
I beseech you to heal my little one".  (Elsewhere, Mary is entreated to
"pray for us sinners" in harmony with my understanding of Catholic
doctrine.)

However, Therese herself entreats God directly, "Father in Heaven, I 
beseech you, have pity on me."  The first time, she is physically healed.  
The second time, she is taken Home after enduring her Agony.  Her 
motivation for entering Carmel is to "draw near to my Beloved".

The most instructive example for me was how Therese embraced those
situations which provoked an ungodly response (i.e. Sister Aquila), rather
than fleeing them.  By approaching them with heart and mind prepared, a
habit of Godly response can be cultivated.  When I attempt to avoid them
and avert my attention, they hit me unawares, and an ungodly response
reinforces bad habits.  This strategy must be pursued with Discernment,
however.  Not all temptations can be overcome this way - Paul exhorts us
to "flee youthful lusts" and the same can be said for chemical addictions.

The second time, I took Gail (who is 6).  On the way to the theatre, she
remarked that "*I'm* not going to die".  I explained that it is appointed
unto man once to die, and after that the Judgement.  This was
providential, as Therese provided such an excellent example of how to die
- without too much gore for a little girl.  Gail was drawn into the movie
from the start where Therese is a little girl her age.  Seeing Therese
grow, mature, and die was so intructive for her.  Afterward, she told 
Julie, "I didn't cry, but by eyes kept squirting out water".

-- 
	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
    Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flamis acribus addictis" - background song for
a Microsoft sponsored "Where do you want to go from here?" commercial.