Ever since I saw Nefarious, the movie about the criminal possessed by the devil, I've been thinking about poor sinners. Jacinta, the little seer of Fatima, constantly reminded her brother and cousin, "We need to pray for poor sinners!" Horrified at the vision of souls falling into hell like snowflakes, she became a little victim soul trying to save all she could from the fires of hell. She accepted sufferings that would make an adult squirm.
The controversy over the movie has people arguing that none of us should go to movies about the devil. In general I agree. I have no intention of going to the horror movie, The Pope's Exorcist, with the false portrayal of exorcist, Gabriel Amorth. I didn't even watch the trailer. Using the demons as a source of attracting those who love the horror genre seems to me to be typical, cynical Hollywood manipulation.
But Nefarious is different. It's not a horror film. For the chase 'em, shoot 'em up enthusiasts it's probably boring. How much excitement is there in two guys and a demon facing off across a conference table for most of the movie?
I agree with those who say we don't need to see Nefarious, or any movie about demons for that matter, to know Satan exists and that he and his minions prowl about the world like raging beasts seeking souls to devour.
That's true.
But it was also true in 1917, and yet the Blessed Mother showed three innocent little children a terrifying vision of the devil and his work. Nefarious couldn't hold a candle to the real thing! And what was the result of Mary showing the children the reality of the demons? They embraced incredible penances to save "poor sinners." Would that I was willing to do as much.
For me, Nefarious was the equivalent of that vision of hell that Mary showed the children. I can't stop thinking about the poor possessed man who was sinned against so grievously as a child. When I saw Matt Walsh's video about poor "Jazz" Jennings, it reminded me once again of the possessed man whose parents denied him Baptism and whose grandmother gave him a ouija board. How many grievous sinners have mitigated guilt because of scandal and neglect from those who should have protected them?
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| Sue Klebold, mother of Columbine killer Dylan Klebold |
And then there are the parents who try to raise children in truth and virtue. How would I feel if one of my children were one of the Columbine shooters or the Nashville killer? Both Dylan Klebold and Audrey Hale were raised in what looked like typical American two-parent families. When Dylan Klebold's mother got word of what was happening at Columbine she prayed that her son would be prevented from killing any more victims even if it meant his death. What happened to twist Dylan? I don't know. I can only grieve for all the parties involved: the victims, the killers, the parents of the victims, the parents of the killers. It's the valley engulfed with tears.
We live in confusing times where all the pillars of society have abandoned us. There are few if any social anchors to help parents rear their children well. The schools and libraries are as dangerous as the porn shops. Even the grocery checkout line requires one to practice custody of the eyes.
Many people have built their houses on sand, an ever more precarious situation, since we live in Sodom and Gomorrah on steroids!
Anchoring our lives in God is our only help, hope, refuge and strength. As May begins, Our Lady's month, let us pray the rosary every day, multiple times if possible. Let us embrace her prescription for peace given at Fatima. Pray, pray, pray! Pray the rosary. Pray for poor sinners. "Many go to hell because they have no one to pray for them." Let us commit ourselves to saving poor sinners!
If you went to Nefarious, let it encourage you to pray for poor sinners rather than to increase your fear or interest in the demonic. The devil is a chained beast. Let us pray every day that none of our children, grandchildren or anyone else goes within his circle of attack. Let us surround ourselves with sacramentals like holy water, the scapular, the miraculous medal, etc. And let us make adoration of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist at Mass and through visits, be the central devotion of our lives.
Jesus, Lord of Life, have mercy on us.
Our Lady, refuge of sinners, pray for us.
St. Joseph, terror of demons, pray for us.
Dear Guaridian Angels and Patron Saints, protect and intercede for us.
AMEN! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI understand your logic, and I respect your opinion. However, I disagree for this reason -
ReplyDeleteJacinta, the children of Fatima, were chosen by Our Lady for a divine purpose known only to heaven and given all necessary graces from her infinite store. They were chosen by her, protected by her.
We, oth, act of our own volition according to a well formed conscience. We dare such knowledge and visions on our own accord. We do not necessarily have such protections of grace from heaven as we gain dreadful knowledge of our enemy.
And so I am reminded of Phillipians 4:8, and can say with certainty that this is not that.
I know enough of the enemy that he and his demons are intelligent, clever and implacable beyond our understanding. And that’s all I need to know. My Lord, Our Lady, the holy Angels are victorious and resting in them, working in their cause of righteousness is certain victory. When I sense the smoke of the enemy, I immediately pray and fly to the Divinity that has and always will conquer and bind that which seeks to bind my soul as that snowflake for his infernal realm.
The Palantir of LOTR’s Gondor is a prime example from literature - they were made by higher powers for higher powers and not for little hobbits like me. “Higher Powers” may choose to use a hobbit for high purposes, but will grant them necessary strength to complete their task. It is not for me to raise the proverbial cover from the Palantir and have a look, even if for the cause of good. It is simply not meant for me. I see it, the unseen powers it represents, with “fear and trembling” and rely on the Sovereign King for mercy, wisdom and endurance.
That is my opinion. Interesting topics here, as usual. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteIt is not a secret to anyone on this board that Hollywood movies have been used as an easy tool of the Devil since they started.
I am not saying that all movies are bad. A few are very uplifting. But very few.
Since one of the descriptive titles given to Satan is "nefarious", for me, seeing it would be like flooring the gas pedal while approaching a school crossing.
Call me just a chicken, but until the Blessed Mother shows me the movie, I won't watch it.
"We need to pray for poor sinners!" Why do you need an apparition of Satan to convince you of thia trite commonplace opinion?
ReplyDeleteWell said, as always. Indeed, Wisdom.
ReplyDeleteI went to see Nefarious. I can't stop thinking about it either, Mary Ann. One thing that struck me is that the demon didn't lie. He answered the psychiatrist truthfully, revealing his origin and his rebellious mission.
ReplyDeleteI too feel the need to pray more not out of fear but for the souls in the clutches of evil and for the protection of our loved ones against the temptations of the devil.
I saw Nefarious. I was unimpressed. What was the actual plot? Who knows? It was mostly only a dialogue between three people and an execution. I have personally dealt with exorcists and prayer warrior teams. The movie struck me as being incredibly Protestant/hippie Novus Ordo in mindset. There is so much to that movie which is just not found in the Deposit of Faith. It made it appear as though someone who was possessed was forced to sin and was therefore completely innocent of the choices he made. Is a drunkard responsible for the death(s) he causes? It also depicts the demons as possessing an almost omnipotence and omnipresence…except that the cannot possess more than one person at the same time. In reality….Yes, a single demon can possess multiple bodies at the same time. It completely misses the mark on Our Lord’s Crucifixion. Not only is it watered down and also implausible, it describes a bizarre, factually incorrect image of what a demonic possession involves. The devils rarely show their cards. God, the Church, and the saints are victors, and the demons shouldn’t be feared. Let nothing disturb you. Keep your eyes on heaven.
ReplyDeleteI saw the movie because of Mary Ann's recommendation, and am glad I did. I would highly recommend it for atheists and agnostics especially. It clearly shows that God and the highly intelligent, fallen angels exist. Nothing wrong with that in our current depraved society. For those who have no relatives, friends, co-workers, neighbors etc who are unbelievers, you're fortunate. For the rest of us, it could be a valuable tool for dialogue. Again, nothing wrong with that. If you haven't seen the movie, perhaps commenting on it's merits, or lack thereof, you might want to reconsider.
ReplyDeleteI do not need to "reconsider".
ReplyDeleteDid I need to stand at the base of the Twin Towers to watch the horror of that day?
No. Yet, I acknowledge that it happened.
The prudent person should recognize that human beings have our limitations. Not everything that goes on in the Spiritual Realm is our business.
Who said that "everything in the Spiritual Realm is our business"? The movie simply expresses that the Spiritual Realm exists. Period. The atheist in the movie represents a good portion of society today, even those who profess to be Christian. Identifying and naming the enemy is half the battle. The movie, imo, did a good job of exposing how clueless many are to the evils which surrounds us today.
DeleteDianthus,
ReplyDeleteI could not disagree with you more. I am floored at your comment about this movie being a Protestant hippie Novus Ordo mindset.
Following another suggestion by Mary Ann, I think you should familiarize yourself with the book Lex Orandi to ACTUALLY KNOW what is "Protestant/hippie Novus Ordo and what IS the traditional doctrine of the Church.
I thought the "demon character" script stuck to what the Church teaches about his origin and source of power, his goals and his abilities.