The movie, Philomena was up for best picture and best actress this year. Unfortunately, I did not see it before the Academy Awards. Good Friday could seem like an odd day to watch a film that exposes the hypocrisy of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland in the 1950’s and beyond. And some, who see this movie may want to reject the institutional church as a whole, throw out the baby with the bath water as my mother would say. This phrase is haunting in light of this film and those that marginalize unwed mothers as unfit and their babies as property.However, I encourage you to see this movie. It is also a reminder of what can happen when religion and its officiants hold to legalism more strongly that grace. Aha a connection to Good Friday (when legalism and desire for power struggled with grace). Philomena could easily have given up on a God and a faith tradition that allowed and even covered up such horrific acts, yet she did not. While Martin at first sees her as weak-minded, it is Philomena, who is wise and teaches Martin and others what faith in a redemptive God is all about. She chooses not to hate, but forgive. There are important subthemes in this movie that may convict all followers and the church to live with grace. I will allow you to discover those on your own.
The true follower of Jesus is the one who walks in his footsteps not those in authority; a good reminder for all us privileged to be clergy. This is an empowering message for those who simply walk the walk and talk the talk daily. I welcome your feedback and experiences of this powerful movie.
Pastor Mary Allman-Boyle
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