[Father Paul]
I'm going to mention an interesting science fiction movie from a few years ago. It is interesting because of its answer to a familiar and very relevant question: It's a common question that runs through a lot of our science fiction and fantasy movies, especially the apocalyptic ones. "Is humanity worth saving?"
The movie is called The Eternals. It came out just after Avengers and was part of the new Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's actually a loose recreation of some of the old classical mythology—just look at some of the characters—we see images of Athena, Xerxes, Icarus, Tiamat, and a few others that bear at least some semblance to mythology (the spelling of at least some of the names has been slightly altered in the movie). We can even see some remotely Christian references—at one point, one of the Eternals says, "The truth shall set you free" (John 8:32).
One of the characters (Gilgamesh, I think) asks Thena, "Is humanity worth saving?" It's a great question. All you need to do is look at a picture of a mushroom cloud, and one wonders. At one point, the scene actually points to one of the Eternals who had "written off" humanity while he was standing in the rubble of Hiroshima. So, it's a great question. Is humanity worth saving? I love that question because, of course, the answer is totally "yes," but why? I like Athena's answer much better: "When you love something, it is worth protecting."
Which, of course, brings us to Jesus. Who was he, and in what sense is he our Saviour?
A child. Tender, vulnerable, needy, needing to be taught, needing to be fed, hungry for food and life and interaction.
A human being, capable of suffering, of growing, of learning new skills, and communicating.
A teacher, a wise man, a man who taught us how important love is. His message was to love each other no matter what and not to be afraid.
A martyr, someone who sacrificed his life in the name of all that is true and good and beautiful. He did not need to die; he should not have died. But he knew what corruption was, and he knew what justice is, and he stood up to injustice by becoming just.
A divine being, someone who defeated death and showed us the path of life so that we might someday inherit the reward promised to us.
A Saviour, one who is able to offer life to those who believe in him. Knowing Jesus is like holding a winning lottery ticket. We don’t have the reward yet, but knowing that we will have it fills us with great joy.
So what about us? What do we love that is also worth protecting? Our environment? Our fellow human beings? Our family? Our Church? Only you can answer that.
Whatever your answer is, give everything to it, and you will find peace that the world cannot give. If you believe that Jesus is your Saviour, then give everything to Him.
I came across four prayers that will change your life. It was on a Facebook reel of all places, but it's a good one:
Dear Jesus: Make me better. Change my attitude, my approach, my mind, and my reactions.
Dear Jesus: If I'm chasing the wrong things, redirect me.
Dear Jesus: Please bring me closer to what is meant for me.
Dear Jesus: Please make my days useful, my nights restful, my efforts fruitful, and my home peaceful.
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