The number of times I've watched this movie must total well over ten. The climax, of course, is Deacon Dolson's (Zeljko Ivanek) second sermon where he talks about wishing he could hear congregant's screams. It is a profoundly well spoken and well written message for all believers in Christ to hear. Dolson's integrity surpasses that which I find in myself. I'm so wrapped up trying to please everyone that I lose sight of my priorities. For it is God whom I should be living to please, not men.
But wait, there were other lessons to learn. A vow of chastity, as Father Farley (Lemmon) put it, works the same even if a person's thing is goats. When we dedicate our lives to singleness and servitude, we are dying to ourselves to serve others. Our pasts should be considered behind us, "old things are passed away, behold all things become new." His comment and rebuke were spot on.
Another lesson came via a time of grief by parishioners who lost a loved one. Father Farley's approach to grief counseling was to say something inane in order to exalt the person's grief to the the sublime and inconsolable. while Dolson chose, as was more fitting, to hold the hand of the sufferer in quietness, to not say anything, but simply to be there.
This is a movie well worth the time to explore the script and lessons for all of us who long to grow up in the Lord well balanced and as powerful witnesses. It taught me to not resort to pat answers, but instead, to look to the Lord to provide the words, or quietness, the moment I get where it is someone needs me. He will provide.
Dolson is expelled in the end, an act that sorely lacked insight and understanding regarding the brother's very valuable contributions to the church. It was orchestrated by the head of the seminary (Charles Durning) who was more interested in ridding the church of potential problems that were strictly outward appearances, rather than involve himself with the work God's Spirit. It was religion he was trying to defend, not relationship with God. Instead, he moved them a step behind, not ahead.
Watch this movie and you should uncover much of what continues to go on churches today. The church needs a major overhaul, which is why we need people like Deacon Dolson entering the ministry, to help restore integrity and to truly minister to the needs of believers.
But wait, there were other lessons to learn. A vow of chastity, as Father Farley (Lemmon) put it, works the same even if a person's thing is goats. When we dedicate our lives to singleness and servitude, we are dying to ourselves to serve others. Our pasts should be considered behind us, "old things are passed away, behold all things become new." His comment and rebuke were spot on.
Another lesson came via a time of grief by parishioners who lost a loved one. Father Farley's approach to grief counseling was to say something inane in order to exalt the person's grief to the the sublime and inconsolable. while Dolson chose, as was more fitting, to hold the hand of the sufferer in quietness, to not say anything, but simply to be there.
This is a movie well worth the time to explore the script and lessons for all of us who long to grow up in the Lord well balanced and as powerful witnesses. It taught me to not resort to pat answers, but instead, to look to the Lord to provide the words, or quietness, the moment I get where it is someone needs me. He will provide.
Dolson is expelled in the end, an act that sorely lacked insight and understanding regarding the brother's very valuable contributions to the church. It was orchestrated by the head of the seminary (Charles Durning) who was more interested in ridding the church of potential problems that were strictly outward appearances, rather than involve himself with the work God's Spirit. It was religion he was trying to defend, not relationship with God. Instead, he moved them a step behind, not ahead.
Watch this movie and you should uncover much of what continues to go on churches today. The church needs a major overhaul, which is why we need people like Deacon Dolson entering the ministry, to help restore integrity and to truly minister to the needs of believers.