Hi Mary-- found you here. I very much like your blog and its contents/focus. Sad as the occasion was of Maggie's passing, it was good to see you and your husband yesterday. I looked for you on FB, as I said I would, but -- do you know how many "Mary Williams" there are on FB? I don't either; the list seemed to go on. There is only one you, though. If you'd like to stay in touch, get together for tea sometime, send me your email address and/or contact me on FB at "Caitlin Victoria Featherstone."
Ahh, I did not know you were a "Caitlin!" Yes, there are zillions of folks with my name on FB, so I will go ahead and look you up -- glad to be in contact with you again, even if it was through a sad event. (I felt especially sad on the day after her memorial, and I'm now writing a blogpost-essay about her). Thank you, Victoria!
As for the original subject of this post, here are my comments about "Of Gods and Men" that I shared on the Integral Postmetaphysical Spirituality Ning Forum:
.... A beautifully moving film!
It conveys more inner turmoil and fear and love and courage through facial expression, glance, gesture, and pregnant silence than any other recent film (full of complex dialogue and effects and dramatic moments) has. Although it is not a "silent" film (in the way that "Into Great Silence" was), silence and a richness of presence are elegantly woven through it.
I also loved how it depicted a contemplative community engaged in active service to and with others of a different tradition -- no proselytizing -- in the spirit of interreligious respect and solidarity with the poor and suffering. (Thus, although I know they are completely different in approach and intent, I think this is a better film than "Into Great Silence").
Finally: I saw "Of Gods and Men" as a contemporary dramatization of the Paschal mystery -- Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. Those monks were Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, agonizing, feeling abandoned, faltering before accepting the cup they were to drink. They were Jesus celebrating a last supper, savoring beauty and expressing gratitude and sorrow in the face of their impending death. They were Jesus walking the walk of a love that stays the course no matter the cost.
Hi Mary--
ReplyDeletefound you here.
I very much like your blog and its contents/focus.
Sad as the occasion was of Maggie's passing, it was good to see you and your husband yesterday.
I looked for you on FB, as I said I would, but -- do you know how many "Mary Williams" there are on FB? I don't either; the list seemed to go on. There is only one you, though. If you'd like to stay in touch, get together for tea sometime, send me your email address and/or contact me on FB at "Caitlin Victoria Featherstone."
Take care,
Victoria
Ahh, I did not know you were a "Caitlin!" Yes, there are zillions of folks with my name on FB, so I will go ahead and look you up -- glad to be in contact with you again, even if it was through a sad event. (I felt especially sad on the day after her memorial, and I'm now writing a blogpost-essay about her). Thank you, Victoria!
ReplyDeleteTalk with you soon,
Mary
As for the original subject of this post, here are my comments about "Of Gods and Men" that I shared on the Integral Postmetaphysical Spirituality Ning Forum:
ReplyDelete.... A beautifully moving film!
It conveys more inner turmoil and fear and love and courage through facial expression, glance, gesture, and pregnant silence than any other recent film (full of complex dialogue and effects and dramatic moments) has. Although it is not a "silent" film (in the way that "Into Great Silence" was), silence and a richness of presence are elegantly woven through it.
I also loved how it depicted a contemplative community engaged in active service to and with others of a different tradition -- no proselytizing -- in the spirit of interreligious respect and solidarity with the poor and suffering. (Thus, although I know they are completely different in approach and intent, I think this is a better film than "Into Great Silence").
Finally: I saw "Of Gods and Men" as a contemporary dramatization of the Paschal mystery -- Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. Those monks were Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, agonizing, feeling abandoned, faltering before accepting the cup they were to drink. They were Jesus celebrating a last supper, savoring beauty and expressing gratitude and sorrow in the face of their impending death. They were Jesus walking the walk of a love that stays the course no matter the cost.
I'm sure I will watch it again.