| Tuesday, April 27, 2004 |
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Joan of Arc
Yep, I watched it. The one with Leelee Sobieski, when she was only 17. It was good! Excellent script writing and acting. Thought-provoking, moving. Though I cannot say I believe her 'voices' were real and truly from God, I believe she ardently, sincerely believed in her mission, and that she was doing it for God. And she had the courage and determination to carry it through right to the end, because she believed.
Because she believed. The weight of those words! Belief, faith. Sometimes I find myself so short on it, when times are hard and the future seems a blank. Yet always, I am drawn back to my God. My true prince! Speaking of prince...
There was this character, a Jean DeMetz (or De Metz..whatever), who was at first a cad -- asking Joan if she'd like to be a 'plaything' of soldiers when she first stumbled out of an animal cart in her first step to accomplish her mission, but whose character gradually developed and became mature.
No, he wasn't a prince, only a lowly soldier, but his character, at the end, does reflect that of a prince, or what I would think reflect that of one, anyway. =P This Jean (say 'John') had a sort of ambiguous friendship with Joan. He was the one who first spoke to her, who seemed the closest out of the other soldiers. He stuck with her. To the end, he was loyal and faithful. He was also strong yet gentle. Dependable. He could strike down an enemy on the field, but cry tears for fallen comrades, and return bravely to battle. Vulnerable and sensitive.
It was only when the producers put these words on the screen at the end, "Jean DeMetz never married," that I realised they had wanted this friendship to take a romantic slant. He believed Joan, in Joan, and did his all to support and protect her, while respecting her vision. At the stake, she asked that a crucifix be placed at her eye level, and no one responded. He wrenched one from a guard and carried it for her while she was being burnt to death. He knew that she was dying willingly for God and he respected it, while his heart broke. He never asked for any sort of commitment from her. Their friendship was so innocent and pure, the furthest he went was to touch her face while she was in prison because she did not respond to his words.
And he never married! Of course there would be nothing wrong if he had married. But he loved her so much his heart could not hold another to that extent. That's like, wow. It made me think, in our fast-food world, where one-night stands are not so rare and where the value of a kiss has almost evaporated, are there still guys who would be so respectful, honourable and faithful? Guys who are consecrating themselves for God and their future wives?
Funny, I've never really doubted that there will be godly men who are like that before. Why now? Hmm. Am I becoming jaded? =P No, I have no reason to doubt. There will be! There are guys in my church who are already doing that now, just that I'm not interested, and anyway, I'm not even ready! But who knows what will happen in the future? Only God. There are infinite possibilities! :D
Of course, nobody can ever hope to compare to Jesus, who even looking pathetic, dirty and half-dead on the cross is more beautiful than any human or angel. Who loves me more than anybody can every imagine. And, hey! He's mine! Just as I am His. Wow...
I'm content. =] |
posted by esther @ 1:23 AM  |
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