Bishop Barron 'Calvary' and the Underrated Virtue of Forgiveness (SPOILERS)

[TonyTony]

Great observations on "Calvary'.  I found the screenplay to be remarkably written with superb acting performances in the film. For a dark film, it was very spiritual.  When someone challenges him and says priest like him are dinosaurs and are no longer really needed.  He looks at his dysfunctional and hurting parishioners, and says he is needed now more than ever.  His last two acts of kindness are to comfort the morally bankrupt wealthy man and to not run away from his murderer, who was abused as a child.  Even though he had his own moment of personal crisis, just like Christ did, he accepts his death with honor to pay for the sins of others.  He understand why his murderer is filled with anger, and he is not afraid to make one final attempt to reach him spiritually.  What a great movie.  I think it serves the Catholic Church well.  It is the good priests who you don't hear about.  They don't make the news, but in reality, like yourself, the church is filled with honorable men and women.

[Catholicspeaker]

"Resurrection follows calvary" - There is always a reasons for hope as a Christian no matter how bad the crucifixion.  Thanks again for the great reflection Fr. Barron.

[conorryan]

I'm no longer a catholic and from Ireland but I loved your analysis of this incredible movie Bishop. It was a beautiful movie in many ways, thank you for giving your thought on it.

[BellamyBlue]

This was a beautiful film, has really stayed with me.  Thank you Father.

[RafaHenryBorges]

I really liked the portrayal of Fr. James. He was willing to meet his parishioners (his "flock") where they were at all times. 

When the incel guy tells him he's developed intense hatred of women, Fr. James advises him to move to a larger city ("Dublin. London") where women are more readily available. He does not give a speech about the "holiness of chastity" or "God's plan for him". Rather, he assesses the situation and deduces —correctly — that it's better for a sinner to be out there fornicating than harbouring resentment that, by the man's own admission, is already morphing into murderous ideation.

When he confronts the African immigrant, he does not come out swinging about the "sanctity of marriage". He's more concerned about whether or not the guy is physically abusive toward his lover, a married woman. And when said immigrant tells him that his "sermon is over", the priest leaves.

Lastly, the numerous exchanges between Fr. James and said woman. She's the one he's most concerned with, it seems. Their banter is pretty great — they are both witty, and it's clear he is very found of her. He always takes the direct approach, but does not condemn her; he's more worried about her safety. And sure, she's more than willing to scoff at his fatherly concern, but out of all the parishioners — except for the old expat — she is the only one who does not attack his vocation or the Church, if my memory serves me right.

The numerous times when people make snide or outright confrontational remarks about him and the institution he belongs to, he stands his ground, but never fires back with Bible quotes and rehearsed speech. "That's the Church, not me." When his church is on fire: "It's not my church; it's OUR church." He makes a point to always bring the conversation down to their level, to reel it back to their little corner of the world. It's him, not "Catholicism", they have to contend with.

During one of his visits to the local bishop, Fr. James retorts: "I think you took that from a book". Clearly, the man believes in God; clearly, he's devoted to the Church; clearly, he's read the Bible front to back. But above all, he has internalized the faith to the point where he does not need to use it as a cudgel when trouble comes his way. Yes, he goes through a moment of weakness near the end, but ultimately, he's given the grace to die an authentic Christian shepherd.

[fabricepoirette]

May the Lord give us such good priest.

Thank you once again for your commendable work Father Barron.

[paulobaptista]

the beauty continues... fields of green shoots forevermore! ❤️🙏🕊🔥

[CatherineYarton]

Father Barron I pray for you and our brothers in Christ that you get through your Calvary as well. God Bless to all of the Priests who must suffer through our world of today.  God's will. Amen.

[josephspiller]

It was an amazing film. I would also add how the lady from France influenced him in turning back to face the man.

[josemanosalvas]

Great analysis! Calvary is a film that has touched me deeply, I have seen it several times in my life, its music is amazing (in fact it is because of Patrick Cassidy that I had the immense pleasure of being revealed before this film) and it has a diversity of readings... but this reflection on forgiveness that you do in this analysis is just what I needed to hear. Right now I am trying to cultivate forgiveness, for my father, who has committed acts that have hurt me very deeply. For now, we are apart, but some force deep down within me, calls him, it tells me that it is necessary to FORGIVE... and I don't know how... so I ask God every morning and every night to teach me. I'm in the process of cultivating FORGIVENESS. And now that you talk about this, it has inspired me even more... It's true, forgiveness must be one of the greatest (if not the greatest) of human virtues. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[FiremanFrach]

Wonderful.  A keeper.  Thank you, Father.

[NicholasTheThorn]

Many priests at cua and in my community are encouraging this film.... Hard to watch.... But so telling.

Thank you for your wonderful insights!!

Br. Nicholas

[nevermind]

I would not have understood this movie without your help. Thank you. It has been an enriching experience because of you.

[hehehe]

Beautiful job Father Barron. Brought me to tears when I saw this movie. You scored a hole in one with this video and the other recent ones.
These words will only help bring back so many that had given up on The Church and are now looking back because of the recent meeting.

[DavannaCimino]

That was a great review! This is one of the best movies I have seen in recent years . . . maybe ever. It did not get enough attention.

[JesusPedroza]

I haven't even heard of this film, but I most definitely want to see it now! Seems like a powerful film. Thanks Fr. Robert Barron for the review and most of all, making me aware of it too! God Bless.

[garychildress]

Hi Father Barron, first a clarification, I am not "Catholic" (at least as far as I know) and certainly as confused as everyone else out there may or may not be regarding matters of religion and whatever God's purpose is or isn't. I'm not even always sure if God has a "purpose". I'm not always certain that there is a God either. Of course that's sort of what "faith" is for I suppose.

In any case, congratulations on 10 million views. I think that in itself is a wonderful accomplishment and certainly testament to a great breadth of wisdom and learning. It is also testament to how badly we all want and need guidance in an uncertain and often perplexing world that sometimes challenges our ability to cope, sometimes challenges our ability to understand. Thank you for the opportunity to listen and to learn as well as to disagree sometimes or to feel wrong about things sometimes.

In any case,  10 million views is a "milestone" and hopefully there are many more mile stones to come.

Best regards,

[ratatataraxia]

A secondary definition of Calvary, is extreme mental anguish. It’s a beautiful title to a beautifully human film.

[FM-wbbp]

Best review on this Movie! Thank you Bishop Barron

[mariannepostiglione]

Very insightful analysis! I saw this movie some years ago and it affected me deeply.