Spoiler Alert!
Have you watched “The Chosen”? “The Chosen” is a multi-year TV series on the life of Jesus. I was worried when it came out that it would preach a Protestant Jesus and Bible. So far, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus is Catholic. He does retreats around the US speaking of Divine Mercy. I pray he helps bring Catholic teaching alive as the series goes forward.
Many things stand out as purely Catholic, like the way they so far have treated the Blessed Mother. She is honored. In Season 2, Episode 1, John calls her Mother and she calls him son. Not a big deal but huge as you see they are living in the same home. Very Catholic undertones.
But, season 2 brings a strongly Catholic scene that really touched me. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is shown. I know there was a huge outcry from Protestants over this episode. Mary Magdalene struggles and falls. She runs away from Jesus and the others, falling back into her old ways. Two disciples come to find her and bring her back to the camp, back to ‘the Church.’ The Blessed Mother greets her, welcomes her and leads her to Jesus who is found kneeling and praying in His tent. Mary is broken-hearted at what she had done. How could she have ‘thrown away the salvation’ Jesus gave her? Sin is ugly and the enemy tries to use it to wedge between our souls and Mercy. But, Jesus prompts and leads Mary to confess. He gives her His forgiveness, even though she fights Him on it. Then, accepting this gift of Forgiveness and Divine Mercy, she throws herself back into the arms of Jesus.
This is what this magnificent sacrament is. Jesus present in the confessional, calling us from our sin and giving us forgiveness and Mercy. The role we play isn’t as big as we make it. All we need do is come, with contrite heart and ask for Mercy. We don’t even go alone, the Blessed Mother walks and stands with us. She upholds us in our fear and stands beside us before her Son. Jesus, God in the Trinity, does everything else. We just tell Him what He already knows, He opens the floodgates of Divine Mercy.
“Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
One of the Protestant protestations were ‘how could she fall when she was saved by Jesus?’ As Catholics we know, life bears down heavily upon our shoulders, the man we were hides behind the scenes. As the world spins out of out control, we lose focus and fall. Sin is always lying in wait, the enemy is always prowling, ready to pounce in the time of weakness. This is a moment he has worked hard to make happen. But, praise God in all His Wondrous Mercy, He knows this as well. The Trinity knows we can and will fall again. But, Jesus gives us His Blessed Mother to help guide us caringly back to Her Son. And, the love and Mercy of God is always present when we do return.
We as the Church, Apostles of Mercy need to go find those who have lost themselves to bring them back to Jesus. The Blessed Mother will provide support and strength and Jesus stands ready to give His Mercy freely. let this scene play out in your life – often.
To Jesus through Mary!
Absolutely loved that scene. Have shared that with my students. It’s so beautiful!
Thank you for your reflection!
Peace