Catholic Dads

Three Movies to See

September 23rd, 2009

Last weekend was an incredibly grace filled weekend of movies for me. As today is “Hump Day,” you may want to look at these DVDs as you turn your attention to what you are going to do this weekend.

A week ago Sunday, our homily was on William Wilberforce, a British legislator, who combated the slave trade at the turn of the 19th Century. I had read Amazing Grace, a book about his life and efforts, but I had never seen the movie. So, I stopped into Blockbuster last week and found it. While I walked out, I noticed the recent movie about Pope John Paul II, starring Jon Voight and Cary Elwes, so I picked that one up as well. While watching Amazing Grace on Friday night, we saw a preview for The Ultimate Gift, which looked promising. So on Saturday, I picked this movie up. We watched The Ultimate Gift on Saturday night; and I finished up my movie weekend by watching Pope John Paul II on Sunday.

So, in one weekend, I saw a movie (Amazing Grace) about a man who started an effort almost single-handedly that ended up transforming the world. It took him 20 years to do it but he succeeded in ending the slave trade and ultimately slavery in the British Empire – without a shot being fired.

Then I watched a surprisingly humorous movie (The Ultimate Gift) highlighting the gifts we are all given, most important of which may be forgiveness, redemption, and mercy. But we all know that the Ultimate Gift is love and this movie reminds us how multi-layered this gift is in our lives and how often we reject it. Watch the movie and find out for yourself.

Finally, I ended the weekend watching a movie (Pope John Paul II) about a man who recognized God’s hand in his life at every step and followed his will. He was courageous and steadfast; approachable and full of Christ’s light which he shown to the world. He was always one of the brightest minds in the room, but could reach everyone with Christ’s message. And all the while, he underwent immense suffering, both physical and emotional. The totality of his life is one of the most epic I have ever seen.

I’ve been incredibly inspired this week. Get these movies and I guarantee you will feel the same.

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