On our second day of the film, I can already see how moved you are. I know you have learned about all Christ endured, but it's truly hitting home. You are affected in so many ways, and I'm glad you are able to experience Christ's Passion on a more mature and deeper level.

For today's response, I'd like you to mention one image or moment in the movie thus far that has struck you, and add a small reflection upon your image. Perhaps it's not biblically based; that's not the point. The director, Mel Gibson, took from the Gospel and prayed about how to portray Christ in the best light.

For me, so far, the image of Jesus standing back up from being beaten, only to continue getting scourged was ironically beautiful. I am proud to call him my Christ, watching him not be defeated by just lying there. He is victorious. He is a winner. He is not a crying baby. Of course, he was in deathly pain, but what a true man it takes to stand there and just take it again. And again. And again. How many times have we scourged him with our sins? It makes me feel like he experiences that level of pain each time we let him down.


I pray that the movie experience continues to open your eyes and hearts to be more like our Savior.

Today we shared the events of Jesus' Passion, but more in particular, The Agony in the Garden. Put yourself in Jesus' sandals. What is going on through your mind? What leads you to pray? According to this awesome website, the author makes his reader think of the following items after reading about the Agony (which happens to be one of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary).

1. The way of the cross was far more costly for Jesus and his Father than we can possibly imagine,
2. It is quite appropriate to state to the Father our own will in a given situation,
3. Even strong men and women must learn to voluntarily bend their wills to the Father's, and
4. We disciples must learn to watch and pray so that we, too, may resist temptation.

Interesting, huh? Below I posted a moving clip from The Passion of the Christ, in which Jesus is praying in the garden. he accompanying song is by Barbara Streisand... seemingly fitting. The questions below will be discussed tomorrow. No need to reply to this post unless you want to share some wisdom like Jesus did.

1. What is the "cup" that Jesus prays about? Why does he pray that it may be removed? (22:42)
2. Is Jesus' prayer to have the "cup" removed an indication of his weakness? Yes or no? Explain your answer.
3. Why do we avoid seeking what the Father's will actually is? Why do we take control over our own wills so much? 
4. Have you ever been "exhausted from sorrow"? What was it like? 
5. In what ways does alert prayer keep us from temptation? (22:46)

Homework: Whether or not Jesus's prayer to his Father was longer than our memory verse or not, it would be interesting to know what his thoughts were. In a one page reflection, compose the prayer Jesus might have prayed to God. You must incude the memory verse within your writing and either highlight, underline, or bold it. Proper formatting rules apply. Watch the formatting video below for proper instructions.

By the way, I have not forgotten about the movie form. The office was out of them, so I will maj