"The Garden of Earthly Delights" - Visited Again

At Madrid's Prado Museum, we viewed the original art work by Hieronymous Bosch, entitled "The Garden of Earthly Delights."

I first encountered this piece in March 2009, when we attended an off-Broadway play in New York City, based on the painting of the same name.

In this triptych, Bosch gives the viewer a sense of the Creation, Fall, and Hell, though some critics argue about the middle theme.

I actually considered buying a copy on linen (Spain has reasonable prices!), but decided against it. This time the third panel disturbed me most of all. I sensed that Bosch was dwelling on the punishment and not the opportunity for amendment of life or, MOST importantly, the possibility of forgiveness. Perhaps we live in a time that needs to view representations of end-times punishment for sin, as so many seem oblivious to any judgment for personal actions. On the other hand, the church's job, I believe, is not so much to shout condemnations, but to raise the reality of the end and then proclaim the promises of new life in Christ, as well as renewed life for Christ's own. Thanks, Bosch, for the wake-up call. I will try to take it from here and preach the power of Christ to change lives!

I arrived in Spain’s Santiago de Compostela later than planned due to flight delays on Monday evening. Still, the late afternoon sun illuminated the day, so I toured a bit before collapsing with jet lag. Across from this ancient pilgrimage church was a more modern (17th century?) building with decorations depicting the Apostle, St. James. The following morning, my daily devotions included the cryptic mention of the death of James from Acts 12: “After that time Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword….” The legend of St. James then continues with two followers rescuing his body and sailing away from Israel to bury James covertly in the northwest corner of Spain. Then in the 8th century a pious monk follows the stars (compostela) to discover the hidden tomb of St. James (Santiago). Once honored, St James then returns to assist Spanish armies in defeating the Moors (North African Muslims). Do the pious pilgrims who have been following this ancient road to the church for penance, healing, reconciliation, or grace for loved ones know about St. James with raised sword fighting Moors? It gives one pause to think of one who dies by the sword (James) would return to live again for the sword. Didn't Jesus say in Matthew 26 (with James listening): “Whoever lives by the sword, dies by the sword?”

Priests in Film "The American" & "Machete"

This past weekend offered two movies in which Roman Catholic priests figure prominently, though not as the main character. In "The American," the priest seems to fill a rather traditional role -- voice of conscience, soul care, and reflective on life. In "Machete," OK, it's a comic book, but the priest performs traditional roles -- present in the church, listening to confessions. However, he is also the brother of Machete, so he violates the seal of the confessional by passing on incriminating evidence, blasts bad guys with twin shotguns, and harbors a naked Lindsay Lohan and her mom-figure.

Which is more real? Which is more what priests wish would be?

Priests would go for "The American," I am sure. But certainly there are moments when twin shotguns could seem like a good solution.

Realistically, if one can say that about a movie, the Italian priest is doing good evangelism -- reaching for the lost soul, and as the movie develops there are hints that Clooney's character is listening or being worked on subconciously as he wants out of his life of death-dealing. Sadly, the priest seems to have lost hope for Clooney's character as he confronts him for the last time. But the Spirit may still be reaching.
Sadly, movie-goers may lose some hope for the real Clooney, as this was not one of his better films. Pretty, but not much substance.

Cheech Marin (Machete's brother, the priest) attempts the role of priest as agent of social change -- maybe. But really, this is just a cartoon, and little positive can be said. The issue, not raised in the film, of violating the seal of the confessional for the greater community good is a difficult one, and deserves more reflection than this movie gives it. But this was a loud, noisy live-action cartoon after all!