I’m sure you’ve all heard me around the blog in several of my past posts condemn the 2005 film Kingdom of Heaven. I feel the need to praise Harry Gregson-Williams (many of you know him for his work with the soundtrack in the Narnia series,) though sadly, director Ridley Scott didn’t live up to my expectations for a historical adventure. Gladiator is a supreme epic. Need I say more? Kingdom of Heaven is filled throughout with many anti-catholic gestures and references, coming from the mouths of the Crusaders themselves as Scott depicts them on their journey through the Holy Land. Though I can honestly say I’m a bit anxious to see his upcoming film Robin Hood, set for release in 2010.
Now, getting back on topic I would like to approach one scene in particular from Kingdom of Heaven which strikes out to me. Though the character of Baldwin IV is portrayed more or less as a relativist and pacifist, this one scene speaks out of the true nature of man. HIs free will, the ability to make decisions based upon reason and faith, remembering the fact that we are held accountable for all our actions throughout life.
“When I was sixteen I won a great victory. I felt in that moment that I should live to be one hundred, now I know I shall not see thirty. You see, none of us chose our end really. A king may move a man, a father may claim a son. But remember that, even when those who move you be kings or men of power, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God you cannot say ‘but I was told by others to do thus’ or that ‘virtue was not convenient at the time.’ This will not suffice. Remember that.”
The beauty of the words are something which we all should ponder. And even though the film is filled with a biased opinion on the Crusades, there is still a little truth. How often in today’s society do we see people move by men of power to deeds of immoral taking or injustice? Do men fully understand the weight of their actions, or the consequences that await them? Few indeed realize the gravity of our choices in life. Our sense of sin is dead, and now we make our decisions based upon what suits us best, or what most attends to our comfort. This in itself is a dangerous act, for at the expense of our own comfort, what are others suffering? We live in a world where we don’t look into the future to try to understand what our actions in life shall bear fruit of. The world around us claims to argue the stance of being “Pro-Choice;” but in reality, what have we become?
What this statement also addresses is the questioning of authority, of course there are certain circumstances where are allowed to remain silent; but there are also many times in which we ought to speak out, for the common good, and for our own justification. St. Thomas More is a wondrous example of this situation. If any of you have seen A Man for all Seasons (1966), you will have an understanding of when it is necessary to speak up on important matters. Like More did with King Henry VIII, he stood up and made it clear that being in the position of Chancellor, he would not allow the King to use his earthly authority in an attempt to bypass the authority held by the Pontiff of Rome.
Also in the case of St. Thomas Beckett, a wondrous example of what it means to stand up against a corrupt and downcast authority. These matters are often perilous to the individual, but if we do not speak of, what will we have to answer to before God?
“For what would it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and in the process, lose his soul?”
I leave you to contemplate that. Why? Because it is the core idea of our Catholic Faith. Moral Obligation and Duty. When must we speak up in opposition to the world around us? When ought we question the authority of those above us?
The questioning of authority is not a light matter. We must carefully contemplate the our responsibilities to those around us. For if we do not champion the cause of what is right, even for our own soul, who will? Ought we remain silent among our peers who comply with sin, or ought we speak up in opposition against that which offends God? The choice is yours my friends. Choose wisely.
Master Paul Xavier
Illustrious marceg
Miss Angela Rose
Lady Kerin
mjlovesballet
Each Man is His Own
July 14, 2009
Now, getting back on topic I would like to approach one scene in particular from Kingdom of Heaven which strikes out to me. Though the character of Baldwin IV is portrayed more or less as a relativist and pacifist, this one scene speaks out of the true nature of man. HIs free will, the ability to make decisions based upon reason and faith, remembering the fact that we are held accountable for all our actions throughout life.
The beauty of the words are something which we all should ponder. And even though the film is filled with a biased opinion on the Crusades, there is still a little truth. How often in today’s society do we see people move by men of power to deeds of immoral taking or injustice? Do men fully understand the weight of their actions, or the consequences that await them? Few indeed realize the gravity of our choices in life. Our sense of sin is dead, and now we make our decisions based upon what suits us best, or what most attends to our comfort. This in itself is a dangerous act, for at the expense of our own comfort, what are others suffering? We live in a world where we don’t look into the future to try to understand what our actions in life shall bear fruit of. The world around us claims to argue the stance of being “Pro-Choice;” but in reality, what have we become?
What this statement also addresses is the questioning of authority, of course there are certain circumstances where are allowed to remain silent; but there are also many times in which we ought to speak out, for the common good, and for our own justification. St. Thomas More is a
wondrous example of this situation. If any of you have seen A Man for all Seasons (1966), you will have an understanding of when it is necessary to speak up on important matters. Like More did with King Henry VIII, he stood up and made it clear that being in the position of Chancellor, he would not allow the King to use his earthly authority in an attempt to bypass the authority held by the Pontiff of Rome.
Also in the case of St. Thomas Beckett, a wondrous example of what it means to stand up against a corrupt and downcast authority. These matters are often perilous to the individual, but if we do not speak of, what will we have to answer to before God?
I leave you to contemplate that. Why? Because it is the core idea of our Catholic Faith. Moral Obligation and Duty. When must we speak up in opposition to the world around us? When ought we question the authority of those above us?
The questioning of authority is not a light matter. We must carefully contemplate the our responsibilities to those around us. For if we do not champion the cause of what is right, even for our own soul, who will? Ought we remain silent among our peers who comply with sin, or ought we speak up in opposition against that which offends God? The choice is yours my friends. Choose wisely.