  
No one can stand still. They must take a stand one way or the other!
Storm warnings on the horizon signal that there is no calm before the storm; just another indication that satan does not want The Passion to succeed for the rain of truth will pour into arid, parched souls and moisten the tears and hearts of the repentant, bringing forth an abundance of conversions. No wonder Mel is facing so much resistance from the evil one's agents!
"Like the waters of Lourdes, this work of art will spray the spiritually parched sand of a secularist, modernist world that much needed humidity. In some places that humidity may lead to a growth of faith, in others to a rebirth of fruit. All of this will have to be seen. For now, however, it is clear that The Passion is already establishing Three Ls which will challenge many hearts, minds, and souls."
You know a coming storm is big when you can see, feel, and hear it hours before it hits. The clouds turn dark, the wind becomes restless, and distant rumblings can be heard.
You know that news is big when you can hear the murmur despite the noise, when the information spreads like a silent wave overpowering any efforts to stop its spread.
You know a force is powerful when it takes on a mind, and energy, of its own. It turns opposition on its head and seems to grow from every effort to thwart its progress. Such is the storm, the news, and the force that is the upcoming The Passion of The Christ with just three days to go!
Modern computerized meteorology allows us to predict, to anticipate, and to prepare for coming storms and upheavals of climate. Scientists can see the ingredients of a storm come together. They can observe how things such as wind, cold, humidity, rain, and snow dissolve into the brew that is that upcoming storm. This technology allows them to understand and analyze the storm more effectively. They can see where the storm is coming from and what it is likely to do given its nature and patterns.
Mel Gibson's masterpiece is such a storm, and its ingredients have been coming together before our eyes. Given the secularism, modernism, and liberalism of Hollywood, this movie would never have come about absent the drive, determination, sacrifice, influence, background, clout, finances, and inspiration of its creator. Equally interesting is the effect, which this unique masterpiece will have on the ground around it.
Like the waters of Lourdes, this work of art will spray the spiritually parched sand of a secularist, modernist world that much needed humidity. In some places that humidity may lead to a growth of faith, in others to a rebirth of fruit. All of this will have to be seen. For now, however, it is clear that The Passion is already establishing Three Ls which will challenge many hearts, minds, and souls.
The Lead
It is clear that, for many, this movie will be a lead calling them to move toward God in their lives. It may give that gentle push to those already looking to rediscover their God and their faith. It may give that warm embrace to those already out on their own pilgrimage of the soul seeking their God. It may turn the switch to many who have never had that spark of Christ in their lives, introducing them to a love they have never known!
For those who already have their minds made up and will resist any inspiration because of their stubborn hearts, well, all we can do is pray for them. They will stand on the other side of the line and realize the sand they walk on will give way, collapsing beneath their very foundations and, like quicksand, swallow them up in the fleeting flush of the world, the flesh and the devil. Just as there was the good thief Dismas, so also there was the unrepentant bad thief. Just as there was the repentant Peter, there was the unrepentant Judas.
The Light
What is also becoming very clear in these final days before the release of this motion picture is that this movie has and will continue to reveal much from the darkness of spiritually blurred world. Its bright beams of heavenly light will either be a wakeup call to people who are spiritually asleep, or an annoying glare to those who refuse the truth of day. Under the brilliant streams from this motion picture, we can clearly see who are the true Catholics, the fraud Catholics, and so forth.
There is no hiding from this light, for its power cannot be ignored or denied. Increasingly caught up in its focus, we are each being called to answer, "What do you really believe?" and "What are you willing to stand up for?" While this may be a welcome question for many eager and passionate people, for others it is merely one more annoying intrusion, one more "turn-off". Those groups and people which you see actively supporting, promoting, and discussing this movie are children of sincere faith, courageous carriers of Catholic or Christian belief. Even though we may differ significantly with many non-Catholic Christians, the efforts, attitude, and stand of many of these Christians must be acknowledged, respected, and admired.
The truth is that many non-Catholic Christians are more supportive and positive about this movie than numerous wimpy, false, embarrassing Catholics too cowardly or brainwashed to stand up for this masterpiece. While we want to convert these fellow Christians to the true Faith, we must acknowledge their assertive and brave stand for the value of this motion picture! The cowards and frauds may run from this light, but they are already being identified and marked at this moment, many by their silence, reluctance, or even opposition with regard to this motion picture. Most of the Bishops are going out of their way to distance themselves from Gibson and his masterpiece. They have already drawn their line in the sand - on the other side of Truth.
The Line
Mel Gibson has, intentionally or not, drawn a line in the sand with his motion picture.
One by one, we are being asked, "On Which Side of This Line Do You Belong?"
To one side are those who firmly believe in Christ and His mission and purpose for coming to this earth. The pinnacle of this group is found with the traditional Catholics who have rejected the pollution spread by this One Religion Society. This line is a wonderful, a beautiful confirmation and opportunity for these strong soldiers for Christ to practice what they preach. It is, in a very real way, their coming out party!
On the other side of that line in the sand, however, are those who have rejected Christ, the True Faith, morality, sincere conscience, and their God. To these people this movie is a shrilling, annoying glare, which they just wish would go away.
These folks folks just want to be left alone in their mire of mediocrity or coma of conscience. Trapped like rats in a lighted corner, their pride or stubborn blindness prevents them from moving toward God and crossing that line. Instead, these pathetic fools just fight back with sad, hellish retorts, slowly sinking into their fate. So they attack it even though they haven't seen it in its finished form. Save for Abe Foxman, Paula Fredericksen, Rabbi Marvin Hier, John Dominic Crossan, Frank Rich and a few others of their agitating ilk, almost all who have seen it in special screenings have been moved tremendously and almost to a person have dismissed the ridiculous 'anti-Semitism' charges as trumped up because such implications simply are not present in the movie.
There are no two ways about it. Either you are on one side, or the other. The line has been drawn. The event is coming. Your decision is awaited.
Gabriel Garnica
Editor's Note: We are pleased to announce Gabriel Garnica will be contributing many articles in 2004. Heaven is once again under attack by those who would seek to ignore and overthrow God's majesty and authority. Gabriel Garnica, educator and attorney, will submit regular insights and commentaries to remind and help guide readers toward a deeper and more assertive faith. Touching on topics and issues ranging from personal faith, doctrine, education, scripture, the media, family life, morality, and values, Gabriel's notes will be music to traditional ears but unpleasant tones to those who have bought into the misguided notions so prevalent and spreading in today's Catholic world.
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