OK, so I can’t let the conversation on this film go on without offering my thoughts.
I watched Netflix’s The Two Popes on December 26, the Feast of St. Stephen. In no way are the two stories similar, however, I couldn’t help seeing a connection.
The Two Popes is a film by Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles and written by New Zealander, Anthony McCarten (who also wrote The Theory of Everything and Bohemian Rhapsody). It is an adaptation from McCarten’s 2017 play The Pope.
In case you are not familiar with the film, it is a fictional story starring Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who later becomes Pope Francis.
I don’t intend to do a review on the film (there are lots of great reviews – and Catholic at that – that you can read. See below for some suggestions). I will say that from a film point of view, it is good: It is well written, well shot, well directed and well performed.
A reflection for the Feast of the Holy Family, year A. The readings are Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128; Col. 3:12-21 and Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23.
Flight into Egypt by Peter Paul Rubens (1614). Hessen Kassel Museums.
What do you imagine when you think of the Holy Family? Surely, Joseph was a hard worker and a good protector and provider for his family. He was a loving husband to his wife Mary. Mary was a loving wife to her husband, Joseph. She was quiet and gentle. She always had a good meal prepared. She provided a warm and caring home for the family.
They surely were like the people who are described in the first and second readings and the Psalm today!
Of course, being perfect parents is easy when there is a perfect child!
Mary and Joseph never had to discipline little Jesus. He never complained and never whined. He never threw a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store. He always ate his vegetables and never had to be told to stop playing video games and do his homework. He never argued or slammed the door to his room.
Well, he did talk back at them at least once.
A reflection for the 1st Sunday of Advent, Year A. The readings are Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14 and Matthew 24:37-44.
We begin the season of Advent and very often – especially this year – the readings are all about the eshcaton. Haven’t you heard of the eschaton? It is not a pre-historic monster that lurks in the depths of the ocean. The eschaton is a Greek word that refers to the end of times. You may have heard the word ‘eschatology’ or about things that are ‘eschatological’ – that’s ‘cause they have to do with the end times.
That’s what Jesus is talking about today in the Gospel. He has just told the disciples about the destruction of the Temple and they want to know when that’s going to happen. He doesn’t tell them when it’s going to happen, but he goes into a long speech about paying attention to signs and that there will be wars and earthquakes and famines and that when they see these things happen they should flee to the hills. And then He tells them that it will be like in the days of Noah, and that is the Gospel that that is read today. It doesn’t sound so ominous if we only hear what is in the Gospel today, but if you put it in context with what Jesus has just finished saying, it’s easy to see why over the centuries, people have thought that Jesus is talking about the end of the world. Read more…
A reflection for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year C. The readings are Samuel 7:1-3; Psalm 122; Colossians 1:12-20 and Luke 23:35-43.
Mosaic of Christ Pantokrator, Basilica Saint Paul Beyond Walls, Rome.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, but before we talk about what it means that Jesus is king, let me ask you a few questions.
- Who is the king of the jungle?
- Who is the king of rock n roll?
- Who is the king of pop?
- Who is the king of the NBA?
- Who is the king of soccer? (Answers below*)
Who is the King of the Jews? Who is the King of Heaven? Who is the King of all Creation? Who is the King of Kings? Who is the King of Life?
Who is the King of your life?
If you answered ‘Jesus’ to these last questions, you are correct.
Except, I don’t know about you, but even though I want Jesus to be the King of my life, I don’t know if I always act like it.
deacon pedro 