THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
IN USA AND IN EUROPE
By
Odete M. Bigote
“And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”
Genesis 2:25
This Bible quote is a reminder of our age if innocence. Nakedness is a symbol of purity: we wear no masks, and use no devices to disguise our true self.
At the beginning, Adam and Eve knew nothing yet about suffering. Although they were already on earth in the physical form, their thought system had not yet been corrupted by the “fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” But, soon, they were tempted and ate the forbidden fruit. Then, they started on their journey of joy and pain.
Adam and Eve were told by God that if they ate the forbidden fruit they would “surely die.” The serpent, on the other hand, told them “ye shall not surely die.” These two conflicting statements remind all of us of our first state of confusion. Indeed, Adam and Eve eventually died: they disposed of their physical body, but not right away.
What was God referring to when He said, “thou shalt surely die”
Genesis 2:17
Die is a metaphor for loosing our innocence, and forget our relationship with our Father: THIS IS WHAT DIES.
Then, we choose to go through the self-inflicted pain of remembering. Eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge was our FIRST CHOICE to forget, and it still is! As a matter of fact, our whole life is a choice to forget or to remember.
Adam was put to sleep by God; nowhere in the Bible says he woke up. Adam is still sleeping, and so are all of us. How could any truly awaken individual continuously choose to eat the forbidden fruit?
What about the tree of life? What kind of “life” was God referring to? Eternal life:
the life of the awaken, which has nothing to do with the life or death of the physical body.
Are all of us eating from this tree? Apparently not. When we eat from the tree of life, we’ll loose our mask, regain our innocence and awake. The thoughts of our short life in physical form are replaced by the thoughts of eternal life. This is what the life of Jesus portraits. He never lost his innocence: He always remembered his relationship with his Father. He came to earth to help us Remember. This is also why Mel Gibson produced the Passion of the Christ: he, too, wants to help us Remember.
Why are people interested in camouflaging the truth about eternal life?
WHY IS THE MOVIE “THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST” EDITED IN THE UNITED STATES (AT LEAST IN NEW YORK CITY) TO THE POINT OF ELIMINATING THE LAST SCENE; THE RESURRECTION?
The Passion that I saw in Europe is more complete and fair: it shows Jesus disrobed and in contemplation near his burial site. His shroud is wrinkled, but it is empty since he is not wearing it. He laid aside his outer garment. His mission on earth was beautifully accomplished. His eternal life will never end; AND NEITHER DOES OURS.
Our present civilization leaves much to be desired. Hate is floating around in great proportions, and in many forms. Slavery is prominent in many countries: women and children are the ones that suffer most.
The “education” implemented in most countries is useless. Getting a college degree does nothing to help people inwardly, much less in their daily practical needs. The present generation is spoiled, apathetic, neurotic and superficial. It is hard to accept that these people will be the “leaders” in the future. You try to bring up the subject of God and or science, and they run away, at a speed faster than light.
Our advances in science are leading us outwardly instead of inwardly. Anything from cellular phones (in some countries called “mobile”) to CDs, to Moon and Mars landings, could be used to help us reflect on who we are, and how life functions on earth and beyond. Our media could be used to bombard us with interesting detailed information to make us think, ponder and contemplate.
Eating the forbidden fruit is our way to hide from God:a scapegoat.
“Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:8.
Nothing has changed since then. To go on chewing the “forbidden fruit” does not lead us anywhere, but keeps our digestive system in trouble and wrecks our mind. Then, we complain of sickness and blame God. For most people this is the only time they think of God. The may remember Him, but only to blame Him.
There is another reason why we need the image of Jesus Christ: we must remember him not only as Jesus, the man, but also as THE LIGHT; THE ESSENCE OF WHAT WE ARE.
Obviously, most of us continue to eat abundantly from the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the hope of becoming “wise.” Genesis 3:6. But, who is the wisest? The one who beats up Jesus, or Jesus who says
“YOU’VE NO POWER OVER ME. I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE”?
It is up to us, individuals, to remember that there is also the fruit of the tree of life. Indeed, we are alone and free to choose once again.
Article Written by
Odete M. Bigote
Copyright, July 2004