Okay, let's talk about how a character commits manslaughter (an accident occurs in the heat of the moment). He is then given an opportunity to confess his sins to a priest. He brokenly confesses to the "murder" and begs for forgiveness. Then the priest says something to the effect of, "No. I can't forgive you. Murder is too big. Maybe, if you did enough penance, but there is not enough time; you're to be hanged tomorrow morning."
I don't remember the exact words spoken, because the wailing, "Noooooooooooo!!!!" in my head was too loud. That whole travesty was so wrong on so many levels! That is not what confession is all about. I hope that most Catholics and non-Catholics alike recognize that this whole scenario is not right. Still, there could easily be a few Christians out there that watch something like that and shrug, saying to themselves, "Glad I'm not Catholic; I just ask Jesus for forgiveness and it's taken care of." Or perhaps non-Christians that are made glad that they are not Catholic so that they don't have to have the added guilt piled on.
Can I just say, this is not right! Anyone can be forgiven of anything at any time! The only time a priest might withhold absolution is if he has very strong evidence that a person is not repentant. This character clearly was. Furthermore, penance is done to help separate a person from their attachment from sin, but it is not the pre-requisite for the sin to be forgiven! The sin is forgiven right away, no matter how big, or how many, simply because of the sinner's repentance turning to the abundant grace of Christ.
Although I enjoyed that episode, I was so sad to see confession, which is truly a wonderful gift, being portrayed in such a way.
me too, me too!! I was like, bad priest. Baddddd. It made me feel so sad for Richard, even if he does wear eyeliner.
ReplyDeleteYes, me, too!!!! That part was disappointing in an otherwise good episode.
ReplyDeleteI was also really peeved about this part. But later in the episode *****(POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT FOR THOSE THAT HAVEN'T SEEN THE EPISODE!!!!!!)***** it shows the priest selling Richard into slavery, which is also condemned by the Church (even back then) so I think it goes to show you that this man is an evil and corrupt priest! Of course a non-Catholic wouldn't know that... sigh....
ReplyDeleteI think my reaction was the same "NNNNoooooo"! I turned and saidto my hubby (a non-Catholic)that confession is not really like that. It's a very good thing he looked at me with an expression of "Duh, it's a TV show...". Too bad so many people will see such a scene and think that is how things really are.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, on the flip side, I have heard many frustrated Catholics complain how wrong it seems that we can behave badly (like cheat on a spouse) and then confess our sins and Wham! all is right with the world and we are once again in a state of grace. Largely these are people who do not realize that true repentance means that you will try not to continue the sinful behavior, but still...perhaps this is the type of misinformation that trickled into the scene.
If one is an abnormal human for watching LOST later, what happens if one never watches it? I am trying to figure out if I am non-human, or just crazy. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI stopped watching that show after season 2. BUT, if I had been wwatching and saw that I would have gone slightly ballistic. A small mushroom-shaped cloud would be seen over the north east coast of the USA.
ReplyDeleteI hate the way the Catholic Church is portrayed in movies and on televison. The priests are always angry, have lost their faith, or are doing all sorts of non-priestly activities. The nuns are always portrayed as mean spirited snotty old women who just -live- to make a child's lifer a living hell in school. The list could go on and on but I know you know what I'm talking about.
But I know that these slurs agaist the Church specifically and Christians generally will continue to grow unabated. God forewarns of this in His Word, after all.
It will get so bad at some point in the future where those of us who follow Christ will be labled as "haters" and persecuted and prosecuted for our Faith.
Rae- To my way of thinking, you're only abnormal if you really, really like the show, but don't watch it. It's the height of normalcy to not watch a show you're not interested in! :)
ReplyDelete