There's not so much criticism as opposed to rude and arrogant comments here. If a person's gonna criticize Catholicism, at least know what Catholic theology is about and know it well!
Yeah, that "in me as me" thing is where I lost interest. I just found it kind of sad that she went on this great journey only to end up empty--or rather, full of herself.
It sounds as though - to use Gnostic terminology - Catholicism is for the sarkikoi, "the fleshly"; Hinduism for the hylikoi, "those who are [still impeded by] matter", & the last stage for the pneumatikoi, "the spiritual". IOW, Christianity has no positive value but is something to grow out of. She has her fix of spirituality, not by belonging to one religion, but by taking the "best bits" that suit her. This is a totally anti-Christian attitude, & not a religious one. Atheism is preferable.
Of course she never darkens the door of a church. That's boooooooriiiingg... "Eat Pray Love" is the classic story of Western material disenfranchisement. Julia Roberts is bummed out by having all her Western luxuries but not being happy, so she has to go travel the world to find out what makes the quaint ethnic stereotypes happy. She finds her inner "authenticity" so that she can go back to resume her comfortable, freshly reenfranchised Western lifestyle, supplemented with some yoga once a week
I think the term spiritual materialism (another name for narcissism) applies to her journey. Ho Hum is right - I walked out on the film, her journey was so boring. Soul-less.
I am also struck by a question: how much scope does this word "catholic" which means "universal" have? Could this "universalism" refer to the fact that the Catholic faith addresses not just all the world, the entire globe - but also all aspects of life, including our bodily health, our mental health, our social relationships, etc? It is "universal" - for the whole/holy (for those two words are related) person. Does this make sense?
Although, Father, is it not possible that when she said "I found God was within me as me," what she was trying to express was, she found that point within herself that is in other humans - God within. So if she was standing there in the room with you, she could see the light of God within you, or me, or any of the people here. Since I did not see the movie or read the book, I am not sure if this is what she may have been trying to express albeit very clumsily.
A movie about a woman who comes so close to the truth, but who then chooses the path to destruction. How easy that is, perhaps in Italy, less pizza and more prayer?
@maaaaaaatt1 It might be helpful if you read even the most elementary book of Catholic theology before you start pontificating on Catholic doctrine. The answer is no: Catholics do not worship wheat wafers.
@maratom34 Not since the Beatles were making records. East end of a westbound horse was considered hysterically funny in 4th grade. Thanks for the memories.
In the Garden of Eden the snake said: “God understands what will happen on the day you eat fruit from that tree. You will see what you have done, and you will know the difference between right and wrong, JUST AS GOD does.” (Gen 3,5). The Old Snake is guardian and idol in hindu temples; it is only natural one gets such revelations meditating there!
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What cracks me up about preachers priests and fathers, they have never had sex been married etc. But yet know so much about relationships when they themselves have never had. Hypocrites
@C0mm0nS3ns3 Has it occured to you that someone who is not married has an objectivity that a married person could never have? Many, many people testify that they would rather go to a priest for advice about marriage than to a married man. Moreover, there are lots of priests who, in a previous life, were married. I don't think things are as simple as you suggest here.
@C0mm0nS3ns3 Anglican/Episcopal priests can marry and have families, and they counsel people on relationships just as much as Catholic priests do. Don't define "priest" strictly as "Catholic."
@C0mm0nS3ns3 Can you provide me with some kind of documentation about priests never having sex? Tell me, did the scientist who developed the serum to cure VD, have to go out and get a dose of VD ?
You seem to be talking very much of the "New Age" spirituality. Sort of the pride depicted in the "Tower of Babel" story in Genesis: We have within ourselves the power to fulfill ourselves, to become fully human. "God seaks to all men" John 1:9. How is the infinite God reaching such New Agers. "Faith is the reality(substance) of things hoped for." (Heb 11:1) Union with God(knowing & loving God) begins even now. Surely New Agers, if sincere, must have, however obscurely, the gift of Faith.
I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but I've heard a lot about them and am not a fan. It is an autobiographical work. The author decided to leave her husband because she felt too pressured to have kids, even though he told her he didn't care whether they had any and was willing to do anything he could to help them reconcile. She planned most of the book (including her epiphany) before starting the journey, so that she could get a huge advance on her profits from the book to fund the trip.
"God in me As me" is the statement cant only be realize after becoming one with divine and those who reject and think God is separate things need to learn Hinduism Better, i certainly can say those nuns in movie and perhaps you cant realize that simple thing.
Thanks for reviewing this movie. I watched it and wrote my first negative review on any book or movie. I think I said something like, "How could any bad movie by made with Julia Roberts as the star?" But, of course, that can happen. I felt so sad I had been negative - I had allowed the movie to make me negative - although I hated the movie - I went back and took down my review. It was just that it was an empty movie. Empty.
You refer to your self as "very fallen, very fragile...", and then you go on to imply that conversion is the entire point of the spiritual quest. Am I understanding you correctly? Is this congruent with Catholicism? I don't mean this rudely; I'm in earnest. This does not jive with what I've seen. Rather, I see the self as inherently divine, uncorrupted, changeless and complete. Do we disagree on this, or have I simply misunderstood you?
I think the 'God is in me, as me' is simply saying that God permeates the universe, and that as such (as I am a part of the universe) is 'in' me, as 'me'. In that way my actions are Gods actions, for all my movements are manifestations of the divine.
@invanorm Were Hitler's actions God's actions? How about Mao's? Or Pol Pot's? Or Charles Manson's? When you or I act with selfishness, violence, hatred, and cruelty, are we expressing God?
@wordonfirevideo All I can say in response to this is 'Yes', though this impersonal God is not and cannot be the traditional biblical God. I don't any more hold these Taoist/Buddhist beliefs, although I am certainly still very sympathetic to them.
In response to Hitler and the rest I'll drop this bit of Zen;
"In the landscape of spring, there is neither better nor worse. The flowering branches grow naturally, some long, some short."
@wordonfirevideo In short, no. Hitler is no worse than Mother Teresa etc. because we are all imperfect, all sinners, all children of God. To paraphrase Jesus, "What you do to the least among you, you do to me." We all have God in us, as part of us. Even Hitler thought he was doing God's work (though misguided, he surely was).
Though I haven't seen the movie, the book version was clear that many students (including Liz) were meditating not as hindus, but as Christians or other faiths.
@phoenixfreefall Let me see if I have your reasoning straight: both Mother Teresa and Hitler committed sins; therefore there is no substantial difference between them. Friend, whatever ideology leads you to that conclusion is beyond mistaken; it's downright dangerous.
@wordonfirevideo I am not saying that there is no substantial difference; it is clear and obvious that Hitler committed evil acts, of unimaginable magnitude. What I *am* saying is that while no human, not even Mother Teresa is perfect, even sinners have the capacity to express goodness and love, IF they make the right choices. So the idea "God is in me, as me" means to me that when we choose to act in faith and love, we are really expressing and sharing the love of God...
@wordonfirevideo ..When we choose to give our actions to our faith in God, we are allowing Him to work His will through us. It says to me that we must not simply believe believe believe and never show our beliefs through our actions. We are also called to live our faith. I apologize for oversimplifying before, and I'm not asking you to agree, simply offering a different perspective on that particular theme. I've now seen the movie as well as read the book, and I can see how it was very unclear.
Thank you Father Barron for your insight. My thoughts on the God is in me as me phrase were parallel with yours. Her spiritual journey and growth ended at that point because those who think they are the light have no incentive to seek the genuine light of Christ.
This is such a great commentary. Fr. Barron, I can't tell you how helpful, relevant and provocative I've found your videos to be. Makes me want to finally delve into reading some of the great old Catholic doctors and others. Please keep 'em coming and God bless your ministry.
Fr. Barron mentions that the bodilly senses are good. Why do Opus Dei members mortify (as in denying food or a certain drink up till physical mortification)?
Yeah, with regards to the love interest part: why was it OK for Liz to set boundaries on the relationship but her man was not? Once again, "I have the True Way, and you have to do what I say!" It's New Age/New Thought turning traditional religious teaching around 180 degrees, but still doing the same thing. It's all about "I want control over God". But if God is a God that one can put on a leash, is that God worth worshipping??
Agreed. At least to the point of a missed opportunity. I am a great lover of the churches of Rome, the majesty of the architecture, and the emotions and powers it inspires. Rome is one of the great spiritual centers of the world and it was wasted specifically on the element of food. Which is also great, Italian cuisine is some of the finest in the world but there is so much more to be learned from this great city. But the rest... well you know my feelings about that stuff by now.
Good points Fr. I agree very much. I enjoyed the movie but the modernistic view of love and the self was disappointing and anticlimactic after the religious part of the movie. I guess that's our world that says religion is just a step along the way to the real goal: romantic love and "self fulfillment".
You're not doing yourself any favors by demonizing things not inherently Catholic. Why don't you embrace the things within popular culture that sympathize with Catholicism instead of bashing the things that have nothing to do with it. You're negativity is a turnoff, it pompous and makes you seem out of touch with the modern culture you so you try to appeal to.
Try explaining the appeal of Catholicism in modern culture, Sufjan Stevens for example.
@fruitjooz Friend, take a look at my other videos. I find a lot of positive elements within the modern culture. Look especially at the commentaries on Gran Torino, The Lord of the Rings, the Sopranos, the HBO Rome series, etc.
Father Barron, your mistake is expecting anything really challenging or profound in popular culture. it is just a wasteland as far as I can see. I did not go see this movie because it just seemed facile. Even though I sometimes disagree with you, Father Barron, you are certainly NOT facile. And I find your outlook to be very interesting. There are fascinating spiritual journeys in all of our different faith traditions. This story doesn't seem to be about a real spiritual journey.
why is it a problem that christianity or catholicism isn't explored, that she didn't go there? This comment alone smacks of "rightness / wrongness", which is what i see as the biggest issue in that tradition, aka, if you don't follow jesus or this particular paradigm, then you are "Wrong". Why not ask why she didn't explore Buddhism? or any other religion. The fact that he is relying on a movie to comment on this is also not appropriate - as Hollywood always changes the story and glams it up.
@kattalina9 Well heck, you're telling me that I'm wrong! Why can't I tell Julia Roberts that she's wrong? Your whole posting "smacks of rightness and wrongness."
@kattalina9 People who fall into the dichotomy (false) of "spirituality vs. religion" do the same thing. They basically declare themselves the Popes of this new religion that is simply CALLED "spirituality". They say to their religious friends: "You are wrong, you are unenlightened - let me introduce you to light and truth because I have the RIGHT WAY to enlightenment/God/whatever." The hubris and hypocrisy I've seen there is UN-BELIEVABLE
Her love interest in this movie must be one of those S.N.A.G. type of men: Sensitive New Age Guys who will submit to the Goddess that she supposedly is. Goddess is all, She is all powerful, Her way is THE way, male Gods are SO last millennium and SO unenlightened, etc etc - you get the idea.
Oh Father Barron, don't ya know that the whole "God is in me as me" and "We will run this relationship my way" is more of that Goddess spirituality that a lot of women are indulging in these days? Seems to me this movie is all about "I'm a wealthy white woman who can afford to go to exotic locations and exploit brown people to find myself." Please. I refuse to see it.
For the record, not all of the Indian meditative traditions teach that "God is in me, as me". In fact, the word 'yoga' means 'to yoke' (much like 'religion', which comes from religare, 'to bind together'). However, if I'm already God, what is there to yoke together? Most meditative schools aspire merely to experience the existence of God by dissolving the ego and focusing the awareness upon one's own consciousness. The goal is a true realization that God is in me, working through me.
Narcissism. Father, ya think? May I suggest that, as a male person, you're mission the primary, central, screaming truth of this movie -- ONLY THIN WOMEN HAVE SOULS. If Liz were fat, HER journey would never have been told -- no discarding her husband like a used tissue, no food in public, no (ab)using another guy, no chic guaze yoga pants. She didn't speak to the picturesque nuns (aka. objects) because the ENTIRE FILM IS ONE BIG "SELF" MAGAZINE PHOTO SHOOT.
Father Barron is a great spiritual master as like a spiritual master he can teach in just a few minutes (minute 6:00 to 9:00in this clip) what it takes others hours to teach and not nearly as effectively as he does. Thank you Father Barron for doing what you do you are truly appreciated.
I think that was a beautiful review. I'm looking forward to watching the movie and see the difference between "the Christian spiritual trajectory and the other trajectory."
So much of modern "spirituality" is really just narcissism twisted around.
The problem I find with eastern religions is that they often encourage the same detachment that Catholic spiritual teachers have preached, but they can't provide that new attachment to Jesus Christ. They may cause you to change your path, but they can't give you the Holy Spirit as your guide.
I think that you do review "films" a lot BUT I think in view of the internet and organisations such as youtube its understandable and cool that a Priest is capable of addressing modern issues such as Hollywood, even if it does seem very American to European eyes. And anyone that listens to the end of your commentary can see what you are saying is much more important than supeficial films. The restating of Christian values against celuloid fantasy is as important as any preaching from the pulpit.
Well Hollywood is very much keen on pantheism. This movie is thus a good view on the mainstream ideas that thrive in hollywood and many yound people with 'spiritulity-lite'
My favorite take on this movie so far was from a comedian on the cable show "RedEye," who observed (paraphrasing), "So the lesson of this movie is, no matter how much of a failure you are as a wife and how much of a wreck your life is, there's always time for vacation."
I don't know if it's Fr. Barron's outlook which changed or mine but I just don't dig his videos like I used to. I didn't see this movie nor do I plan on seeing it (no girlfriend = no chick flicks for me) but these reviews of his are starting to sound kinda pouty to me. His older reviews of Bob Dylan and the Matrix were a lot more interesting I think than the ones he's doing these days. Fruitjooz nailed it. Or maybe I'm just bitter that he hasn't reviewed battlestar galactica yet!
thank for the review - i appreciate the perspective that you offer - I am new to the catholic faith and I find that these reviews further my understanding
Enjoying the good physical pleasures of sensation, eating and yoga are complete polar opposites. Yoga and all of eastern mysticism is about destroying the self and divorcing your soul from your body, which it sees as evil and flawed.
My question is, why is it that within Catholicism, discernment and undergoing a spiritual quest is often viewed as something which is only important for those considering Holy Orders or the religious life? Shouldn't this be a part of every Christian's life? Why is it not encouraged more among the laity?
@eternityisyouth Actually...it is. Discernment is the process of discovering God's plan for your life. Every single believer must discern his or her purpose. "Vocation" is a word used in Catholicism not only for the vocation of becoming a priest, religious sister, etc., but one can also have a vocation to be a single person, married, or consecrated virgin.
The movie "Eat Pray Love" is about a selfish person who finds through a great deal of self interested reflection and sybaritic excess that she is most content when she gives herself permission to be selfish and receives from others affirmation in this regard.
But you state that she never seeks a Christian message, but why would she???
You stated that you assume that she is "mainstream American from a Christian background" so obviously that didn't work for her. Why would she seek Christianity?
@ElvisRockatansky Although the Christian message works for me and millions of others, it does not work for everyone. Thats fact. Hence the existence of other religions.
The Christian message is the universal message. It works for everyone and everything; as to the degree that something participates in Christ it is perfect. Anything outside the Christian message is less than perfect and yet many incomplete systems of thought that do not dwell in Christ exist in the world, hence there is original sin. Christ said it Himself that anything which bespeaks of half-measure is outside of goodness.
My friend apparently we have a disconnect. Please read and contemplate "The degree to which something participates in Christ it is perfect". Our philosophical givens (used very similiarly as mathematically givens) are 1. Nothing created is perfect within itself 2. All goodness comes from the Divine Creator 3. Goodness and Perfectness are of the same substance extending from the same Divine Creator. Goodness is most perceptible aspect of participation in the Divine Creator.
Jesus Christ and His Church who follows Him without error teaches that all people contain within Goodness that extends from their Creator. It is up to us to perfect our gift of goodness. The teaching that people do not have Goodness in them is a Protestant error. It is formally taught by many of the non-Catholic churches and denominations; this is, especially true of fundamentalists, who are particularly devoid of any recourse to charitable works, human experience, or philosophy.
@JaneAlex09 A Christian believes Jesus is the son of God and takes him at his word that He is the way, the truth and the life. Either He is or He isn't. If He is, then He "works" for everyone. If not, He's just another one of 31 flavors. The Christian message *is* that the Christian message *works for everyone.* Thus I don't understand how you can the Christian message works for you but not for everyone. Those for whom it doesn't "work" haven't really tried it.
Christianity is a huge umbrella that holds several other beliefs. All are bonded together by the belief that Jesus is the son of God. Correct??
Other than that, those religions such as Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptists ect, see things differently. So it seems that it is NOT the Christian philosophy that "works" instead just the one simple belief that Jesus is the Son of God.
@JaneAlex09 It is a fundamental tenet of all Christianity that no one comes to the Father but through the Son. Thus it is a fundamental tenet of Christianity that Christianity "works" for everyone. It is fundamental to Catholicism that the CC it is the ONE TRUE CHURCH (since it is the one Christ founded), and antithetical to it to say "Whatever works for others is okay." "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried." - GK Chesterton
@ElvisRockatansky I think you're missing the point of JaneAlex09's question. Let me rephrase it:
Given that she is a mainstream American from a Christian background, what would make her want to seek Christianity for guidance?
I know plenty of Americans from a Christian background who perceive no spiritual value or depth in the Christian tradition: they think that it has nothing to offer except to preach old taboos or to oppose science. What would make such a one seek wisdom from Christianity?
@batjanus No I'm not. She makes a "different strokes for different folks" argument, which is manifestly un-Christian, yet she claims to be a Christian herself. I'm pointing out that her argument is at odds with her asserted faith.
@ElvisRockatansky Yes, that's true, she does, and I agree with you. But her original question was asking why the main character would seek answers from Christianity. As in, what would give her reason to think that it could provide valuable answers?
Anyway, I can't read JaneAlex09's mind to know her intent, but that seems to me to be a valid and useful question, of which the answer "she did not sufficiently seek to understand the Christian message", even if true, misses the point.
@batjanus I think I got her original question right, as shown by her subsequent comments. JaneAlex09 pronounced that Christianity already "didn't work" for the protagonist. Your point, however, is different, and that is (as I read it), how is it that Christianity is not obviously correct to the unfamiliar or merely casually familiar observer? That's an important question, I agree, and one of which the character limit here doesn't permit full exploration.
@JaneAlex09 The short answer is, because Catholic Christianity is the one true faith. Because there is nothing more intelligent, good, perfect and beautiful than Catholic Christianity. Because it would have resulted in a complete conversion of self into being compatible with goodness itself, and would have brought genuine joy and freedom from habitual sin. Thats why.
@havock89 Christianity is the one true faith for you and me. And although I agree that there is nothing more good or beautiful than Catholic Christianity for me, that doesn't seem to be the case for this particular character in this particular movie.
"God is in me as me" is an expression that reflects the thinking of far East religions; ex. Budhist thinking. The far east religions have no deity except man, or the own person.
To the people that criticize Fr. Barron's point of view sayingt that "this is a movie and there is no christian message in it" I would like to say; regardless of the message of this movie or any movie, any person is free to have his or her own opinion about it. and talk about it. It is: Freedom of personal expression.
@fruitjooz It's a movie about a spiritual quest; so obviously the role of religion within that spiritual quest is an important point to consider. Besides, religion is a part of life; it seeks to answer the question of why we exist at all, and for what purpose, and how we are to conduct our lives.
@fruitjooz Read Father's reply. Lol. Please. It's his office to analyze movies from a Christian standpoint, and that'd be for Christians, mostly, as you'd expect. But I guess you aren't bright enough to get that, so you feel obliged to leave a pathetic comment that makes no sense in the context of this channel. That's exactly why it's a "pwn".
Expressing disdain for movies that obviously express no religious message nor have any sort of religious underpinnings just for the hell of it, sounds like an exercise in futility to me.
The bulk of his reviews are "These movies don't have explicit Catholic themes, shame on them". So sure, if your into that go ahead. But when I'm looking up Inception, and Friar here is complaining of its lack of spiritual reflection, it kinda kills the whole point.
@fruitjooz Your characterization of Father's reviews as "these movies don't have Catholic themes shame on them" simply demonstrates that either you have not watched Father Barron's reviews or if you have, you haven't attended to them very carefully.
@fruitjooz I've reviewed many movies that do have implicit or explicit Christian themes, and I've praised them accordingly. In regard to other movies, I point out what I take to be their inadequate worldview and I contrast that with the far more satisfying Christian worldview. Why can't I do this? It's still a free country isn't it, even for Christians?!
By being an Athiest your life is an exercise in futility. Why do bother even going on living? Is it to sweat and toil collecting all your pitiful things, pittering about in your own miserable little head? You must choose either self-glorification or self-abandonment.
@fruitjooz All Father Barron has been trying to do is show that the Catholic spiritual and theological traditions are beautiful, spiritually complete, life-changing, experimental, complex, full of wisdom and utterly powerful (etc..) ...a perspective that is NOT portrayed in HW movies and other media. I too wish more people knew of the great Christian spiritual masters and of Catholic spiritualities. Fr. Barron is vouching for it and reminding us there is more that truly satisfies our longing.
@fruitjooz another way to look at it is this: If you wanted to find "spiritual wisdom" or "find yourself" who would one be more likely to visit: a Catholic nun, or a Hindu or Buddhist guru? Right away I think most people would find it a better choice to pick the "guru". Why? The guru certainly will have valuable experience and much wisdom, but the idea here is that Catholic spirituality has something even MORE profound to offer. Father B is trying to teach us that lesson. Aren't you curious?
@fruitjooz The point you miss is that you were actually exposed to the teachings of a faithful Catholic priest, which you would not otherwise have sought, simply because you were looking for a movie review.
@fruitjooz ...and I kinda think you're missing the point if you're just expecting a typical movie review - go watch Rotten Tomatoes if you want that.
Movies, just like books and music are about communicating thoughts and ideas and are therefore ripe as "jumping-off points" for discussing issues about life and meaning.
@fruitjooz A movie is still a statement, like a painting or a novel. One might examine the ideas of an artist and compare them with their own or the works of other artists.
So this analysis is not pointless at all.
Fr. Barron is not saying that the movie is bad, but from the premises of the movie, which can be seen as a 'modern parable', is trying to explaing something about (Christian) spirituality.
@fruitjooz I have been a practicing depth psychiatrist for more than 25 yrs. and if you actually think a movie is just a movie, I suggest-as one soul concerned for the well being of another soul-that you stop watching movies all together. Your trivialization of how a movie programs the mind which is the soul's tool for experiencing reality is naive to the point of dangerous. Fr. Barron is pointing out the programming. Deo gratias.
Julia Roberts has said her confirmation name was Valentine. I havn't seen the film yet, but the idea of 'God is in me, as me' is an egocentric childish mindset, a distortion of the Christian message. The stars and makers probably know the new age type content is a hoax, but what does that matter when you're out to make money from the dumbed down masses? However, you can't a price on integrity. We must pray to God that Julia comes back home.
There's not so much criticism as opposed to rude and arrogant comments here. If a person's gonna criticize Catholicism, at least know what Catholic theology is about and know it well!
jcheng6 16 hours ago
I must say, finally found in Fr. Barron a minefield of Intelligent commentary in the midst of the stupidity and arrogance of this time.
rhlogic 3 days ago
Father, there are quite too many things you say that I really need to pause and reflect upon. Thanks for helping us to "chew the cud" on our faith ;)
Cristinact 4 weeks ago
Yeah, that "in me as me" thing is where I lost interest. I just found it kind of sad that she went on this great journey only to end up empty--or rather, full of herself.
TheZombieGirrrl 1 month ago
It sounds as though - to use Gnostic terminology - Catholicism is for the sarkikoi, "the fleshly"; Hinduism for the hylikoi, "those who are [still impeded by] matter", & the last stage for the pneumatikoi, "the spiritual". IOW, Christianity has no positive value but is something to grow out of. She has her fix of spirituality, not by belonging to one religion, but by taking the "best bits" that suit her. This is a totally anti-Christian attitude, & not a religious one. Atheism is preferable.
5355vbxjbj76rvn 1 month ago
Of course she never darkens the door of a church. That's boooooooriiiingg... "Eat Pray Love" is the classic story of Western material disenfranchisement. Julia Roberts is bummed out by having all her Western luxuries but not being happy, so she has to go travel the world to find out what makes the quaint ethnic stereotypes happy. She finds her inner "authenticity" so that she can go back to resume her comfortable, freshly reenfranchised Western lifestyle, supplemented with some yoga once a week
CoryTheRaven 2 months ago
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Fr. Barron - Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
orphansparrow2 2 months ago
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orphansparrow2 2 months ago
I think the term spiritual materialism (another name for narcissism) applies to her journey. Ho Hum is right - I walked out on the film, her journey was so boring. Soul-less.
lhboston 4 months ago
I am also struck by a question: how much scope does this word "catholic" which means "universal" have? Could this "universalism" refer to the fact that the Catholic faith addresses not just all the world, the entire globe - but also all aspects of life, including our bodily health, our mental health, our social relationships, etc? It is "universal" - for the whole/holy (for those two words are related) person. Does this make sense?
ladylejean215 4 months ago
Although, Father, is it not possible that when she said "I found God was within me as me," what she was trying to express was, she found that point within herself that is in other humans - God within. So if she was standing there in the room with you, she could see the light of God within you, or me, or any of the people here. Since I did not see the movie or read the book, I am not sure if this is what she may have been trying to express albeit very clumsily.
ladylejean215 4 months ago
A movie about a woman who comes so close to the truth, but who then chooses the path to destruction. How easy that is, perhaps in Italy, less pizza and more prayer?
voyagersystem 5 months ago
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voyagersystem 5 months ago
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Thanks for the review. Who's better qualified to critique a story about superstition than a guy who worships wheat wafers?
MightyCarnac 6 months ago
@MightyCarnac Boy, I can't tell you how funny that is. This sort of response is, sadly, typical of the "new" atheism.
wordonfirevideo 6 months ago 23
@wordonfirevideo but you do in fact worship wheat wafers, right? How any Catholic could criticize superstition is beyond me.
maaaaaaatt1 4 months ago
@maaaaaaatt1 It might be helpful if you read even the most elementary book of Catholic theology before you start pontificating on Catholic doctrine. The answer is no: Catholics do not worship wheat wafers.
wordonfirevideo 4 months ago 10
@wordonfirevideo Next the ant-Catholics will tell us we worship statues.
maratom34 2 months ago
@maaaaaaatt1 reducto ad absurdum. and i thought atheists were logical.
lovellespice 2 months ago
@lovellespice *reductio
lovellespice 2 months ago
@maaaaaaatt1
Yes, because that wheat bread is the Body, Soul, and Divinity, of Jesus Christ.
maratom34 2 months ago
@MightyCarnac
Did anyone tell you, you are the East end of a horese going west?
maratom34 2 months ago
@maratom34 Not since the Beatles were making records. East end of a westbound horse was considered hysterically funny in 4th grade. Thanks for the memories.
quantumystery 2 months ago
In the Garden of Eden the snake said: “God understands what will happen on the day you eat fruit from that tree. You will see what you have done, and you will know the difference between right and wrong, JUST AS GOD does.” (Gen 3,5). The Old Snake is guardian and idol in hindu temples; it is only natural one gets such revelations meditating there!
sundlea 6 months ago
I wish he would have read the book before doing this. The book is NOTHING like the movie.
123Anewme 7 months ago
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What cracks me up about preachers priests and fathers, they have never had sex been married etc. But yet know so much about relationships when they themselves have never had. Hypocrites
C0mm0nS3ns3 7 months ago
@C0mm0nS3ns3 Has it occured to you that someone who is not married has an objectivity that a married person could never have? Many, many people testify that they would rather go to a priest for advice about marriage than to a married man. Moreover, there are lots of priests who, in a previous life, were married. I don't think things are as simple as you suggest here.
wordonfirevideo 7 months ago 15
@C0mm0nS3ns3 Anglican/Episcopal priests can marry and have families, and they counsel people on relationships just as much as Catholic priests do. Don't define "priest" strictly as "Catholic."
No offense to Father Barron, of course.
ladylejean215 4 months ago
@C0mm0nS3ns3 We have over thirty married Catholic priests in the western rite, and the Eastern rite Catholic Priests can marry.
maratom34 2 months ago
@C0mm0nS3ns3 Can you provide me with some kind of documentation about priests never having sex? Tell me, did the scientist who developed the serum to cure VD, have to go out and get a dose of VD ?
maratom34 2 months ago
You seem to be talking very much of the "New Age" spirituality. Sort of the pride depicted in the "Tower of Babel" story in Genesis: We have within ourselves the power to fulfill ourselves, to become fully human. "God seaks to all men" John 1:9. How is the infinite God reaching such New Agers. "Faith is the reality(substance) of things hoped for." (Heb 11:1) Union with God(knowing & loving God) begins even now. Surely New Agers, if sincere, must have, however obscurely, the gift of Faith.
watchful38 7 months ago
I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but I've heard a lot about them and am not a fan. It is an autobiographical work. The author decided to leave her husband because she felt too pressured to have kids, even though he told her he didn't care whether they had any and was willing to do anything he could to help them reconcile. She planned most of the book (including her epiphany) before starting the journey, so that she could get a huge advance on her profits from the book to fund the trip.
magister343 8 months ago
"God in me As me" is the statement cant only be realize after becoming one with divine and those who reject and think God is separate things need to learn Hinduism Better, i certainly can say those nuns in movie and perhaps you cant realize that simple thing.
TheMaxutuber 9 months ago
Thanks for reviewing this movie. I watched it and wrote my first negative review on any book or movie. I think I said something like, "How could any bad movie by made with Julia Roberts as the star?" But, of course, that can happen. I felt so sad I had been negative - I had allowed the movie to make me negative - although I hated the movie - I went back and took down my review. It was just that it was an empty movie. Empty.
terryfenwick 10 months ago
You refer to your self as "very fallen, very fragile...", and then you go on to imply that conversion is the entire point of the spiritual quest. Am I understanding you correctly? Is this congruent with Catholicism? I don't mean this rudely; I'm in earnest. This does not jive with what I've seen. Rather, I see the self as inherently divine, uncorrupted, changeless and complete. Do we disagree on this, or have I simply misunderstood you?
christiantjr 11 months ago
I think the 'God is in me, as me' is simply saying that God permeates the universe, and that as such (as I am a part of the universe) is 'in' me, as 'me'. In that way my actions are Gods actions, for all my movements are manifestations of the divine.
As the ocean waves, so the earth peoples.
invanorm 1 year ago
@invanorm Were Hitler's actions God's actions? How about Mao's? Or Pol Pot's? Or Charles Manson's? When you or I act with selfishness, violence, hatred, and cruelty, are we expressing God?
wordonfirevideo 1 year ago
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invanorm 1 year ago
@wordonfirevideo All I can say in response to this is 'Yes', though this impersonal God is not and cannot be the traditional biblical God. I don't any more hold these Taoist/Buddhist beliefs, although I am certainly still very sympathetic to them.
In response to Hitler and the rest I'll drop this bit of Zen;
"In the landscape of spring, there is neither better nor worse. The flowering branches grow naturally, some long, some short."
invanorm 1 year ago
@invanorm So Hitler is no worse than Mother Teresa?! Charles Manson is no worse than Martin Luther King?! This is why I'm suspicious of Zen.
wordonfirevideo 1 year ago
@wordonfirevideo In short, no. Hitler is no worse than Mother Teresa etc. because we are all imperfect, all sinners, all children of God. To paraphrase Jesus, "What you do to the least among you, you do to me." We all have God in us, as part of us. Even Hitler thought he was doing God's work (though misguided, he surely was).
Though I haven't seen the movie, the book version was clear that many students (including Liz) were meditating not as hindus, but as Christians or other faiths.
phoenixfreefall 1 year ago
@phoenixfreefall Let me see if I have your reasoning straight: both Mother Teresa and Hitler committed sins; therefore there is no substantial difference between them. Friend, whatever ideology leads you to that conclusion is beyond mistaken; it's downright dangerous.
wordonfirevideo 1 year ago 4
@wordonfirevideo I am not saying that there is no substantial difference; it is clear and obvious that Hitler committed evil acts, of unimaginable magnitude. What I *am* saying is that while no human, not even Mother Teresa is perfect, even sinners have the capacity to express goodness and love, IF they make the right choices. So the idea "God is in me, as me" means to me that when we choose to act in faith and love, we are really expressing and sharing the love of God...
phoenixfreefall 10 months ago
@wordonfirevideo ..When we choose to give our actions to our faith in God, we are allowing Him to work His will through us. It says to me that we must not simply believe believe believe and never show our beliefs through our actions. We are also called to live our faith. I apologize for oversimplifying before, and I'm not asking you to agree, simply offering a different perspective on that particular theme. I've now seen the movie as well as read the book, and I can see how it was very unclear.
phoenixfreefall 10 months ago
@wordonfirevideo Ah yes, when you do beyond the Doctrine of Total Depravity into the Doctrine of Utter Depravity then there will be trouble.
magister343 8 months ago
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Thank you Father Barron for your insight. My thoughts on the God is in me as me phrase were parallel with yours. Her spiritual journey and growth ended at that point because those who think they are the light have no incentive to seek the genuine light of Christ.
sanctuscubed 1 year ago
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sanctuscubed 1 year ago
This is such a great commentary. Fr. Barron, I can't tell you how helpful, relevant and provocative I've found your videos to be. Makes me want to finally delve into reading some of the great old Catholic doctors and others. Please keep 'em coming and God bless your ministry.
Entertainer114 1 year ago
Father, could you do a review on "Teenage Caveman" from the 1950's? It deserves your insight.
---------------
seriously.
WayOfTheMaster454 1 year ago
Fr. Barron mentions that the bodilly senses are good. Why do Opus Dei members mortify (as in denying food or a certain drink up till physical mortification)?
pitnemesis 1 year ago
Hello Father: I find your videos very enlightening, and I especially enjoy them.
God Bless you and your Holy Priestly Mission.
John
tailspin37 1 year ago
It's because it's not actually about Christianity, it's about exoticism. It's eroticised exoticism.
Raymint 1 year ago
Yeah, with regards to the love interest part: why was it OK for Liz to set boundaries on the relationship but her man was not? Once again, "I have the True Way, and you have to do what I say!" It's New Age/New Thought turning traditional religious teaching around 180 degrees, but still doing the same thing. It's all about "I want control over God". But if God is a God that one can put on a leash, is that God worth worshipping??
chalicechiq 1 year ago
Agreed. At least to the point of a missed opportunity. I am a great lover of the churches of Rome, the majesty of the architecture, and the emotions and powers it inspires. Rome is one of the great spiritual centers of the world and it was wasted specifically on the element of food. Which is also great, Italian cuisine is some of the finest in the world but there is so much more to be learned from this great city. But the rest... well you know my feelings about that stuff by now.
MobiusCoin 1 year ago
Christianity is seen as not trendy by the chattering classes the grass is always greener on the other side , their loss.
opencurtin 1 year ago
Good points Fr. I agree very much. I enjoyed the movie but the modernistic view of love and the self was disappointing and anticlimactic after the religious part of the movie. I guess that's our world that says religion is just a step along the way to the real goal: romantic love and "self fulfillment".
zipppy2006 1 year ago
You're not doing yourself any favors by demonizing things not inherently Catholic. Why don't you embrace the things within popular culture that sympathize with Catholicism instead of bashing the things that have nothing to do with it. You're negativity is a turnoff, it pompous and makes you seem out of touch with the modern culture you so you try to appeal to.
Try explaining the appeal of Catholicism in modern culture, Sufjan Stevens for example.
fruitjooz 1 year ago
@fruitjooz Friend, take a look at my other videos. I find a lot of positive elements within the modern culture. Look especially at the commentaries on Gran Torino, The Lord of the Rings, the Sopranos, the HBO Rome series, etc.
wordonfirevideo 1 year ago
Father Barron, your mistake is expecting anything really challenging or profound in popular culture. it is just a wasteland as far as I can see. I did not go see this movie because it just seemed facile. Even though I sometimes disagree with you, Father Barron, you are certainly NOT facile. And I find your outlook to be very interesting. There are fascinating spiritual journeys in all of our different faith traditions. This story doesn't seem to be about a real spiritual journey.
oracleofaltoona 1 year ago
why is it a problem that christianity or catholicism isn't explored, that she didn't go there? This comment alone smacks of "rightness / wrongness", which is what i see as the biggest issue in that tradition, aka, if you don't follow jesus or this particular paradigm, then you are "Wrong". Why not ask why she didn't explore Buddhism? or any other religion. The fact that he is relying on a movie to comment on this is also not appropriate - as Hollywood always changes the story and glams it up.
kattalina9 1 year ago
@kattalina9 Well heck, you're telling me that I'm wrong! Why can't I tell Julia Roberts that she's wrong? Your whole posting "smacks of rightness and wrongness."
wordonfirevideo 1 year ago 5
@wordonfirevideo It never fails to amaze me how self-righteous people can be in condemning self-righteousness :)
hiswife2002 1 year ago
@kattalina9 People who fall into the dichotomy (false) of "spirituality vs. religion" do the same thing. They basically declare themselves the Popes of this new religion that is simply CALLED "spirituality". They say to their religious friends: "You are wrong, you are unenlightened - let me introduce you to light and truth because I have the RIGHT WAY to enlightenment/God/whatever." The hubris and hypocrisy I've seen there is UN-BELIEVABLE
chalicechiq 1 year ago
Greatttt . We need your reviews at each cinema enter
angersjay 1 year ago
Her love interest in this movie must be one of those S.N.A.G. type of men: Sensitive New Age Guys who will submit to the Goddess that she supposedly is. Goddess is all, She is all powerful, Her way is THE way, male Gods are SO last millennium and SO unenlightened, etc etc - you get the idea.
chalicechiq 1 year ago
@chalicechiq pretty much a feminists dream. An emasculated man worshiping them as a goddess.
CreedChrist 1 year ago
Oh Father Barron, don't ya know that the whole "God is in me as me" and "We will run this relationship my way" is more of that Goddess spirituality that a lot of women are indulging in these days? Seems to me this movie is all about "I'm a wealthy white woman who can afford to go to exotic locations and exploit brown people to find myself." Please. I refuse to see it.
chalicechiq 1 year ago
Lol, i so agree with you that this film is just a celebration of narssicism. Finally something we agree on.
chuckstar666 1 year ago 3
one cant expect Hollywood to pay lip service to Catholicism. We're lucky this film at least showed Catholic churches in the background!
wow father, what a real penance to sit through this chick flick!
mblasko 1 year ago
Wonderful perspective. I enjoyed this.
KnightOwl2006 1 year ago 2
For the record, not all of the Indian meditative traditions teach that "God is in me, as me". In fact, the word 'yoga' means 'to yoke' (much like 'religion', which comes from religare, 'to bind together'). However, if I'm already God, what is there to yoke together? Most meditative schools aspire merely to experience the existence of God by dissolving the ego and focusing the awareness upon one's own consciousness. The goal is a true realization that God is in me, working through me.
NousLogosSophia 1 year ago
I am suprised Father could hear the movie over all the snoring. Just offer it up Father!
coldforgedcowboy 1 year ago 2
By grace we are Christ.
You have to experience duality for a long time until you see it's not there. In this respect I am a Hindu. Ramakrishna has the solution.
~ Thomas Merton
itslifeisall 1 year ago
Narcissism. Father, ya think? May I suggest that, as a male person, you're mission the primary, central, screaming truth of this movie -- ONLY THIN WOMEN HAVE SOULS. If Liz were fat, HER journey would never have been told -- no discarding her husband like a used tissue, no food in public, no (ab)using another guy, no chic guaze yoga pants. She didn't speak to the picturesque nuns (aka. objects) because the ENTIRE FILM IS ONE BIG "SELF" MAGAZINE PHOTO SHOOT.
iidontcareeee 1 year ago 5
@iidontcareeee AMEN
chalicechiq 1 year ago
“The fewer the words, the better the prayer.”
woweixiaomiandui 1 year ago
Father Barron is a great spiritual master as like a spiritual master he can teach in just a few minutes (minute 6:00 to 9:00in this clip) what it takes others hours to teach and not nearly as effectively as he does. Thank you Father Barron for doing what you do you are truly appreciated.
hynemc 1 year ago
I think that was a beautiful review. I'm looking forward to watching the movie and see the difference between "the Christian spiritual trajectory and the other trajectory."
josephdc22 1 year ago
Thank you, Father!
So much of modern "spirituality" is really just narcissism twisted around.
The problem I find with eastern religions is that they often encourage the same detachment that Catholic spiritual teachers have preached, but they can't provide that new attachment to Jesus Christ. They may cause you to change your path, but they can't give you the Holy Spirit as your guide.
NMikeM 1 year ago 6
I think that you do review "films" a lot BUT I think in view of the internet and organisations such as youtube its understandable and cool that a Priest is capable of addressing modern issues such as Hollywood, even if it does seem very American to European eyes. And anyone that listens to the end of your commentary can see what you are saying is much more important than supeficial films. The restating of Christian values against celuloid fantasy is as important as any preaching from the pulpit.
KaiseRex42 1 year ago 3
Well Hollywood is very much keen on pantheism. This movie is thus a good view on the mainstream ideas that thrive in hollywood and many yound people with 'spiritulity-lite'
Entropy3ko 1 year ago
My favorite take on this movie so far was from a comedian on the cable show "RedEye," who observed (paraphrasing), "So the lesson of this movie is, no matter how much of a failure you are as a wife and how much of a wreck your life is, there's always time for vacation."
ElvisRockatansky 1 year ago 2
Well Holywood would talk about and look at other religion, but not Christianity. Hollywood is pretty much anti-christian.
Naturalhit 1 year ago
I don't know if it's Fr. Barron's outlook which changed or mine but I just don't dig his videos like I used to. I didn't see this movie nor do I plan on seeing it (no girlfriend = no chick flicks for me) but these reviews of his are starting to sound kinda pouty to me. His older reviews of Bob Dylan and the Matrix were a lot more interesting I think than the ones he's doing these days. Fruitjooz nailed it. Or maybe I'm just bitter that he hasn't reviewed battlestar galactica yet!
pickitupp 1 year ago
thank for the review - i appreciate the perspective that you offer - I am new to the catholic faith and I find that these reviews further my understanding
timtuba 1 year ago
Enjoying the good physical pleasures of sensation, eating and yoga are complete polar opposites. Yoga and all of eastern mysticism is about destroying the self and divorcing your soul from your body, which it sees as evil and flawed.
havock89 1 year ago
What method did you use to acquire this knowledge of what is the "right spiritual trajectory"?
Also, is it not amazingly coincidental that the only "correct" spiritual end just so happens to be the one in which you were born and raised?
As exasperating as I find your attitude about everything, the most off-putting is your extreme prejudice against anything not Catholic.
CitizenSkeptic 1 year ago
My question is, why is it that within Catholicism, discernment and undergoing a spiritual quest is often viewed as something which is only important for those considering Holy Orders or the religious life? Shouldn't this be a part of every Christian's life? Why is it not encouraged more among the laity?
eternityisyouth 1 year ago
@eternityisyouth Actually...it is. Discernment is the process of discovering God's plan for your life. Every single believer must discern his or her purpose. "Vocation" is a word used in Catholicism not only for the vocation of becoming a priest, religious sister, etc., but one can also have a vocation to be a single person, married, or consecrated virgin.
thecommentmonster 1 year ago
The movie "Eat Pray Love" is about a selfish person who finds through a great deal of self interested reflection and sybaritic excess that she is most content when she gives herself permission to be selfish and receives from others affirmation in this regard.
TELEMACUS800 1 year ago 2
I enjoy your videos.
But you state that she never seeks a Christian message, but why would she???
You stated that you assume that she is "mainstream American from a Christian background" so obviously that didn't work for her. Why would she seek Christianity?
JaneAlex09 1 year ago
@JaneAlex09 The Christian message works for everyone. If it "didn't work" for her, she did not strive sufficiently to understand it.
ElvisRockatansky 1 year ago 3
@ElvisRockatansky Although the Christian message works for me and millions of others, it does not work for everyone. Thats fact. Hence the existence of other religions.
JaneAlex09 1 year ago
@JaneAlex09
The Christian message is the universal message. It works for everyone and everything; as to the degree that something participates in Christ it is perfect. Anything outside the Christian message is less than perfect and yet many incomplete systems of thought that do not dwell in Christ exist in the world, hence there is original sin. Christ said it Himself that anything which bespeaks of half-measure is outside of goodness.
ammazzamoro 1 year ago
@ammazzamoro How do we know that the Christian message is the only universal message??
So Jewish, Baptists & Buddhists are all evil sinners who cannot be saved by Christ because they are outside "goodness"?
JaneAlex09 1 year ago
@JaneAlex09
My friend apparently we have a disconnect. Please read and contemplate "The degree to which something participates in Christ it is perfect". Our philosophical givens (used very similiarly as mathematically givens) are 1. Nothing created is perfect within itself 2. All goodness comes from the Divine Creator 3. Goodness and Perfectness are of the same substance extending from the same Divine Creator. Goodness is most perceptible aspect of participation in the Divine Creator.
ammazzamoro 1 year ago
@JaneAlex09
Jesus Christ and His Church who follows Him without error teaches that all people contain within Goodness that extends from their Creator. It is up to us to perfect our gift of goodness. The teaching that people do not have Goodness in them is a Protestant error. It is formally taught by many of the non-Catholic churches and denominations; this is, especially true of fundamentalists, who are particularly devoid of any recourse to charitable works, human experience, or philosophy.
ammazzamoro 1 year ago
@JaneAlex09 A Christian believes Jesus is the son of God and takes him at his word that He is the way, the truth and the life. Either He is or He isn't. If He is, then He "works" for everyone. If not, He's just another one of 31 flavors. The Christian message *is* that the Christian message *works for everyone.* Thus I don't understand how you can the Christian message works for you but not for everyone. Those for whom it doesn't "work" haven't really tried it.
ElvisRockatansky 1 year ago
@ElvisRockatansky Thank you for responding.
Christianity is a huge umbrella that holds several other beliefs. All are bonded together by the belief that Jesus is the son of God. Correct??
Other than that, those religions such as Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptists ect, see things differently. So it seems that it is NOT the Christian philosophy that "works" instead just the one simple belief that Jesus is the Son of God.
Therefore that is not something you "try" at.
JaneAlex09 1 year ago
@JaneAlex09 It is a fundamental tenet of all Christianity that no one comes to the Father but through the Son. Thus it is a fundamental tenet of Christianity that Christianity "works" for everyone. It is fundamental to Catholicism that the CC it is the ONE TRUE CHURCH (since it is the one Christ founded), and antithetical to it to say "Whatever works for others is okay." "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried." - GK Chesterton
ElvisRockatansky 1 year ago
@ElvisRockatansky I think you're missing the point of JaneAlex09's question. Let me rephrase it:
Given that she is a mainstream American from a Christian background, what would make her want to seek Christianity for guidance?
I know plenty of Americans from a Christian background who perceive no spiritual value or depth in the Christian tradition: they think that it has nothing to offer except to preach old taboos or to oppose science. What would make such a one seek wisdom from Christianity?
batjanus 1 year ago
@batjanus No I'm not. She makes a "different strokes for different folks" argument, which is manifestly un-Christian, yet she claims to be a Christian herself. I'm pointing out that her argument is at odds with her asserted faith.
ElvisRockatansky 1 year ago
@ElvisRockatansky Yes, that's true, she does, and I agree with you. But her original question was asking why the main character would seek answers from Christianity. As in, what would give her reason to think that it could provide valuable answers?
Anyway, I can't read JaneAlex09's mind to know her intent, but that seems to me to be a valid and useful question, of which the answer "she did not sufficiently seek to understand the Christian message", even if true, misses the point.
batjanus 1 year ago
@batjanus I think I got her original question right, as shown by her subsequent comments. JaneAlex09 pronounced that Christianity already "didn't work" for the protagonist. Your point, however, is different, and that is (as I read it), how is it that Christianity is not obviously correct to the unfamiliar or merely casually familiar observer? That's an important question, I agree, and one of which the character limit here doesn't permit full exploration.
ElvisRockatansky 1 year ago
@ElvisRockatansky Fair enough. Well said.
batjanus 1 year ago
@JaneAlex09 The short answer is, because Catholic Christianity is the one true faith. Because there is nothing more intelligent, good, perfect and beautiful than Catholic Christianity. Because it would have resulted in a complete conversion of self into being compatible with goodness itself, and would have brought genuine joy and freedom from habitual sin. Thats why.
havock89 1 year ago
@havock89 Christianity is the one true faith for you and me. And although I agree that there is nothing more good or beautiful than Catholic Christianity for me, that doesn't seem to be the case for this particular character in this particular movie.
JaneAlex09 1 year ago
@JaneAlex09 I am sorry but your answer came across as one who was an unbeliever. Probably my fault. It was late when I answered the comment.
havock89 1 year ago
"God is in me as me" is an expression that reflects the thinking of far East religions; ex. Budhist thinking. The far east religions have no deity except man, or the own person.
To the people that criticize Fr. Barron's point of view sayingt that "this is a movie and there is no christian message in it" I would like to say; regardless of the message of this movie or any movie, any person is free to have his or her own opinion about it. and talk about it. It is: Freedom of personal expression.
xiragata 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
ITS A MOVIE ITS A MOVIE ITS A MOVIE!!!
Stop looking for a Christian message where there is none.
fruitjooz 1 year ago
@fruitjooz Well, we agree on one thing: there was no Christian message in Eat, Pray, Love.
wordonfirevideo 1 year ago 13
@wordonfirevideo
And why should there be. Its a movie. If your looking for a religious message, watch a religious movie, that simple.
fruitjooz 1 year ago
@fruitjooz In other words, who says there HAS to be a Christian message in every movie? Father certainly doesn't. He analyzes it.
SmokiSounds 1 year ago
@fruitjooz It's a movie about a spiritual quest; so obviously the role of religion within that spiritual quest is an important point to consider. Besides, religion is a part of life; it seeks to answer the question of why we exist at all, and for what purpose, and how we are to conduct our lives.
eternityisyouth 1 year ago
@fruitjooz Lmao, you got pwnt.
SmokiSounds 1 year ago
@SmokiSounds
How exactly is that a "pwn"?
fruitjooz 1 year ago
@fruitjooz Read Father's reply. Lol. Please. It's his office to analyze movies from a Christian standpoint, and that'd be for Christians, mostly, as you'd expect. But I guess you aren't bright enough to get that, so you feel obliged to leave a pathetic comment that makes no sense in the context of this channel. That's exactly why it's a "pwn".
SmokiSounds 1 year ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@SmokiSounds
Expressing disdain for movies that obviously express no religious message nor have any sort of religious underpinnings just for the hell of it, sounds like an exercise in futility to me.
The bulk of his reviews are "These movies don't have explicit Catholic themes, shame on them". So sure, if your into that go ahead. But when I'm looking up Inception, and Friar here is complaining of its lack of spiritual reflection, it kinda kills the whole point.
fruitjooz 1 year ago
@fruitjooz Your characterization of Father's reviews as "these movies don't have Catholic themes shame on them" simply demonstrates that either you have not watched Father Barron's reviews or if you have, you haven't attended to them very carefully.
TELEMACUS800 1 year ago 2
@fruitjooz I've reviewed many movies that do have implicit or explicit Christian themes, and I've praised them accordingly. In regard to other movies, I point out what I take to be their inadequate worldview and I contrast that with the far more satisfying Christian worldview. Why can't I do this? It's still a free country isn't it, even for Christians?!
wordonfirevideo 1 year ago 15
@fruitjooz
By being an Athiest your life is an exercise in futility. Why do bother even going on living? Is it to sweat and toil collecting all your pitiful things, pittering about in your own miserable little head? You must choose either self-glorification or self-abandonment.
ammazzamoro 1 year ago 2
@fruitjooz All Father Barron has been trying to do is show that the Catholic spiritual and theological traditions are beautiful, spiritually complete, life-changing, experimental, complex, full of wisdom and utterly powerful (etc..) ...a perspective that is NOT portrayed in HW movies and other media. I too wish more people knew of the great Christian spiritual masters and of Catholic spiritualities. Fr. Barron is vouching for it and reminding us there is more that truly satisfies our longing.
matthewmaclennan 1 year ago
@fruitjooz another way to look at it is this: If you wanted to find "spiritual wisdom" or "find yourself" who would one be more likely to visit: a Catholic nun, or a Hindu or Buddhist guru? Right away I think most people would find it a better choice to pick the "guru". Why? The guru certainly will have valuable experience and much wisdom, but the idea here is that Catholic spirituality has something even MORE profound to offer. Father B is trying to teach us that lesson. Aren't you curious?
matthewmaclennan 1 year ago
@fruitjooz There is such a thing as perspective criticism whereby critics adopt a particular point of view.
BalladoftheWindfish 1 year ago
@fruitjooz The point you miss is that you were actually exposed to the teachings of a faithful Catholic priest, which you would not otherwise have sought, simply because you were looking for a movie review.
1ndabag 1 year ago
@fruitjooz ...and I kinda think you're missing the point if you're just expecting a typical movie review - go watch Rotten Tomatoes if you want that.
Movies, just like books and music are about communicating thoughts and ideas and are therefore ripe as "jumping-off points" for discussing issues about life and meaning.
DarthMambo 1 year ago
@SmokiSounds
If "bright" means active usage of 14 year old 4chan lingo...
fruitjooz 1 year ago
@fruitjooz A movie is still a statement, like a painting or a novel. One might examine the ideas of an artist and compare them with their own or the works of other artists.
So this analysis is not pointless at all.
Fr. Barron is not saying that the movie is bad, but from the premises of the movie, which can be seen as a 'modern parable', is trying to explaing something about (Christian) spirituality.
Entropy3ko 1 year ago
@fruitjooz I have been a practicing depth psychiatrist for more than 25 yrs. and if you actually think a movie is just a movie, I suggest-as one soul concerned for the well being of another soul-that you stop watching movies all together. Your trivialization of how a movie programs the mind which is the soul's tool for experiencing reality is naive to the point of dangerous. Fr. Barron is pointing out the programming. Deo gratias.
Blaseboniface 1 year ago 2
F**K HollyWood .... good job, Father Barron
PerfectCharity 1 year ago
Julia Roberts has said her confirmation name was Valentine. I havn't seen the film yet, but the idea of 'God is in me, as me' is an egocentric childish mindset, a distortion of the Christian message. The stars and makers probably know the new age type content is a hoax, but what does that matter when you're out to make money from the dumbed down masses? However, you can't a price on integrity. We must pray to God that Julia comes back home.
MrHeatwave10 1 year ago 2
Great analysis, Father. The operative word for Liz's spirituality, indeed, seems to be narcissism.
ClarkKasheta 1 year ago 2
Ha! First!
Roberts was a Catholic before she became a "practicing Hindu!"
BalladoftheWindfish 1 year ago