文章基本信息

标题：Roots of 'The Passion'
作者：Claude Pavur
期刊名称：Commonweal
印刷版ISSN：0010-3330
出版年度：2004
卷号：April 23, 2004
出版社：Commonweal Foundation

Roots of 'The Passion'

Claude Pavur

Influence searching is a fair critical exercise, but your editorial attempt to smear Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ with anti-Semitism by linking it to the writings of Anne Catherine Emmerich does not work ("Gospel Truth?" March 26). Saying that some scenes are closer to Emmerich's Dolorous Passion than to the gospel accounts is a long, long way from saying that the movie also is trying to communicate certain prejudices of Emmerich's day.

In Mel Gibson's vision of the Passion, responsibility for Jesus' suffering and death is given above all to Judas, to leaders (Jewish and Roman) who manipulate the people, and to Satan, who tempts everyone, including Jesus. God is somehow also involved, for he has Jesus drink this cup. And of course, it is Jesus who chooses to accept it. Jesus' sacrificial act overrides in importance all assignment of blame, particularly because the movie suggests that we are all guilty. Gibson's movie offers us a great way to get beyond anti-Semitism.

CLAUDE PAVUR, SJ

St. Louis, Mo.