Meanne Mabesa Mijares is a Filipina inspirational and children’s book author. Ten (10) books have been published under her name. Her children’s books, “Emma Kali-kaliwete! Emma Uutal-Utal!” (St. Pauls 2014), "Diego Meets the Pope", and "Lala and The Enchanted Cloak" (Vibal Group 2017, 2018) have earned nominations from the 9th Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards in 2015 and the 40th/41st Catholic Mass Media Awards in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
After the Grand Book Launch, we had a Meet & Greet session, a book signing event in the afternoon highlighted by a story telling session (this time with Ms. Melai Ramirez of the National Library of the Philippines' Kwentista group going solo still wearing her beautifully designed enchanted cloak) and another puppet show at the Vibal Group/Chikiting Books booth. We are also glad to see Melai, Onyot and friends again regaling the kids with their presence.
Vibal's Marketing Group headed by Ms. Chona and Ms. Kristine delighted the kids to a mini-workshop Design Your Own Enchanted Cloak and the artists in the kids were unleashed!
Photos courtesy of my sister Pam Mijares
Official Book Signing Poster
Courtesy of Vibal Group/Chikiting Books
My mom holding Lala
Jeca's lovely niece Sangria enjoying herself with Melai and Onyot
With Ms. Melai Ramirez of the National Library of the Philippines
Having a light moment with Kristoffer Vargas, Vibal Group's Customer Services Head and Mrs. Daisy Martinez, Jeca's mom
Lala and the Enchanted Cloak NBS Trinoma Mall, Quezon City Branch
During the 39th Manila International Book Fair, my newest children's storybook titled, "Lala and the Enchanted Cloak" was launched on September 14, 2018 at the Stage Area 2 of the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Illustrated by Jeca Martinez, it was also a part of the Grand Launch of 10 latest Chikiting Books from the Vibal Group.
Highlights of the book launch include an interactive storytelling session featuring Lala and the Enchanted Cloak chosen and presented by the National Library of the Philippines which was performed live on stage in chamber theater style! My heart was filled to the brim with happiness as I watch every scene come alive on stage right before my very eyes. Jeca and I are so grateful for this opportunity and blessing.
A puppet show followed featuring a story about gadgets and a lesson on time management and the children got their dancing shoes as they grooved with the charming mascots from the National Library of the Philippines Melai and Onyot to K-Pop's Momoland's worldwide hit "B-boom B-boom".
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Vibal Group/Chikiting Books for successfully organizing this book launching event. Your hard work and best efforts are all appreciated. To God be the Glory!
P.S. Lala and the Enchanted Cloak and Chikiting's new titles will be available at National Book Store! Don't forget to grab a copy!
Photos courtesy of my sister Pam Mijares
Front row seats for authors and illustrators
Jeca and I were seated at the front row!
Jeca and I sharing the stage with other illustrators from Chikiting Books Mr. Randay Valiente (who by the way illustrated my first children's book for Vibal, Diego Meets the Pope) and Mr. Ramil Vinarao
Jeca and I on stage holding our book
Interactive Story Telling Video courtesy of my sister Pam Mijares
Have fun watching!
Ms. Melai Ramirez of the Kwentista ng National Library of the Philippines packed with a lot of positive energy
Thank you Ms. Melai for the support
Vibal Group Brand Manager Ms. Chona Malinog handing out the prize to a little boy for answering correctly during the Q & A portion
Puppet show courtesy of the National Library of the Philippines
Melai, Onyot and Ms. Melai having fun on stage
Melai, Onyot and friends dancing on stage
The National Library of the Philippines' Mascots Melai and Onyot dance with the kids
With the rest of the Chikiting authors and illustrators, The National Library of the Philippines' Kwentista Group and the students from Sto Nino Catholic School and Camella Homes Elementary School on stage for the photo op session
Jeca and I with Rica, Ms. Melai, Mascots Melai, Onyot and Roana of the Kwentista of the National Library of the Philippines having fun on stage with this photo op session. Thank you so much for giving life to Lala and the Enchanted Cloak!
I would like to share with everyone a special video created by my talented illustrator Jeca Martinez highlighting the process of how she put everything together and reliving the major highlights of our book launching event.
Out of 12 entries, only 8 became finalists and Lala and the Enchanted Cloak is one of them.
Here is the animated version (In Filipino) of LALA AND THE ENCHANTED CLOAK brought to you by Vibal Group/Chikiting Books as featured in MGA KWENTONG CHIKITING and as seen on Vibal's YouTube Channel. Enjoy watching!
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
TRULY RICH IS BETTER THAN CRAZY RICH A FILM REVIEW ON “CRAZY RICH ASIANS”
on:
Meanne M. Mijares
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples,
“How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
Mark 10:23
RATING PG 13
GENRE
Romance, Comedy, Drama
CAST
Constance Wu as Rachel Chu;
Henry Golding as Nick Young;
Tan Kheng Hua as Kerry Chu;
Awkwafina as Goh Peik Lin;
Michelle Yeoh as Eleanor Sung-Young;
Gemma Chan as Astrid Leong-Teo;
Pierre Png as Michael Teo;
Lisa Lu as “Ah Ma” Shang Su Yi;
Ronny Chieng as Eddie Cheng;
Victoria Loke as Fiona Tung-Cheng;
Remy Hii as Alistair Cheng;
Nico Santos as Oliver T’sien;
Selena Tan as Alexandra ‘Alix’ Young,
Janice Koh as Felicity Young;
Ken Jeong as Goh Wye Mun;
Koh Chieng Mun as Neena;
Chris Pang as Colin Khoo;
Sonoya Mizuno as Araminta Lee;
Jimmy O. Yang as Bernard Tai;
Jing Lusi as Amanda “Mandy” Ling;
Fiona Xie as Kitty Pong
Directed by Jon M. Chu
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Story by: Kevin Kwan
Screenplay: Adele Lim, Pete Chiarelli
THE STORY
Eleanor Young is certainly not a woman to mess with. Anyone who’s ever mistaken her quiet demeanor for passivity would agree Take, say, the manager of a grand London hotel way back in 1995, who tried to tell her that the room she’d reserved for her family was already unavailable. One phone call later, she owned the place. Suffice it to say, she got the room she’d reserved. The staff was really embarrassed!
Back in the present, Eleanor’s son, Nick, is the apple of her eye. But he’s deadbeat of the burden that comes with being the heir in waiting to the Young family’s expansive business domain in Singapore. Though he practically gets a rock star treatment in his homeland, he’s managed to live a bit more under the radar in New York City for quite a few years.
There, he met and fell in love with Rachel Chu, an economics professor at New York University and daughter of a hardworking single mother. Somehow, Rachel doesn’t know that Nick’s practically a scion of a very prominent family, metaphorically speaking, in his home country. No because to her, Nick’s just a well-mannered, good-looking, devoted lover.
Rachel’s thrilled that Nick has invited her to travel with him to Singapore to attend his best friend Colin’s wedding, in which Nick will be the best man. After all, whenever Rachel has tried to talk with Nick about his family, he’s been quite quick to change the subject. Now she’s finally going to have a chance to meet them.
Rachel’s first clue that Nick hasn’t quite told her everything about himself comes when they get on the plane … and get a private suite. And champagne! And next, silk pajamas for the long trip.
Nick tries to explain. “Yes, my family has money,” he says unassumingly. “I’ve always thought of it as theirs, not mine.”
But though Nick’s sought to detach himself from his rich relatives, his family has all kinds of plans about his jubilant return to Singapore. Plans that—as Rachel soon discovers—don’t include him spending the rest of his life with a “poor” Chinese-American girlfriend. At least as far as his overbearing mother, Eleanor, is concerned, that is.
But at a snail’s pace, Rachel begins to win over important members of Nick’s “crazy rich Asian” family—perhaps even beginning to warm up the ice-hard heart of Eleanor Young herself.
STRONG POINTS
Despite the multifaceted cultural realm that Rachel finds herself engaged in, the core story here is straightforward: Nick and Rachel’s attempts to merit Eleanor’s personal blessing.
But Eleanor is difficult to contend with. The Young family lives and moves and breathes among the uber-rich. So having the family’s heir apparent marry a woman who’s essentially a penurious “commoner” wouldn’t do at all.
Still, Eleanor is not a two-dimensional nasty antihero. Multiple conversations disclose ways she has consistently put her family’s needs above hers.
In fact, the film offers a very keen evaluation of American culture. Eleanor, especially, scorns a society in which an individual’s passion is seen as more important than the needs of a family. She says frankly to Rachel, “You’re a foreigner. An American. And all Americans think about is their own happiness.” Elsewhere she says of Asian culture, “We learn to put family first instead of chasing one’s passion.” Those are observations we Filipinos would perhaps relate very well to because we are family oriented.
Eleanor also rants, “When children are away from home too long, they forget who they are,” an opinion about parenting and family that could be seen as having both positive and problematic elements to it.
Nick, meanwhile, validates his own character by consistently trying to show Rachel that his relationship with her matters more to him than his family’s money. He’s absolutely loyal to her, saying, “I’ll leave all of this behind.”And he seems to mean it.
Rachel’s mother, Kerry Chu, doesn’t have the wealth of Nick’s family. But she’s worked hard her entire life to provide for her daughter by running a successful small business. And she stands up for Rachel when things get really bad.
Many other colorful characters portray smaller but encouraging roles in this extra-large collaborative drama. Rachel’s college roommate, Goh Peik Lin, encourages and supports Rachel at various points. Nick’s cousin, Oliver, helps Rachel steer the complicated sets of familial expectations that she smashes into. Rachel also forms a friendship with Nick’s glamorous-but-caring cousin Astrid; the two of them comfort each other in tough moments they both face and struggle with.
Astrid, for her part, courageously and fearlessly confronts someone who’s betrayed her. We see her treating a young girl very kindly despite her near-royal status. Astrid has also worked hard to make her marriage to an entrepreneur named Michael work, though his deep insecurity at not having as much money as her family has reliably been the major struggle in their union.
SPIRITUALITY
Early on in the film, Eleanor leads a Bible study and reads a section of Colossians 3, including the phrases: “If, then, you have been raised with Christ … set your minds on things above.” What disgusts me was the part when Eleanor’s friends gossip about Rachel and the intrigues that follow afterwards.
There are also references to Ephesians and Corinthians. Eleanor’s faith apparently runs deep enough that she forbids Nick and Rachel from sharing a room together in her house during their visit—a conviction that, it’s clearly understood, is rooted in her Christian faith.
Elsewhere, interestingly, there are a couple of passing references to Asian spiritual beliefs. Rachel’s mother, Kerry Chu, encourages her to wear a red dress when she meets Nick’s mother because that color is considered good luck. There’s another quip about that color representing “fortune and fertility.” Someone sarcastically mentions the universe’s role in shaping the outcome of our lives.
One character tells another, “You can explore hell, you dog turd!” A woman calls another “an evil person.” Someone mentions “finding inner peace.” Then Astrid exclaims angrily, “God forbid we lose the ancient Chinese tradition of guilting our children.”
Honestly, to be truly rich is much better than crazy rich. We are given extra and surpluses of blessings to share with the less fortunate. We need not be indulgent on luxury items because one day we will leave them behind but it will be worth it if we use it for better. To be truly rich is learning to let go of what does not matter in order to hold in high esteem what is important in life. (Hebrews 11:24-29)
SEXUAL CONTENT
Rachel and Nick kiss again and again, and they’re shown in bed together a couple of times as well. In one of those scenes, he’s shirtless, while she’s wearing a figure-hugging camisole.
Another of Nick’s cousins, Allister Cheng, is a movie director. His girlfriend, actress Kitty Pong, wears very skimpy clothing. He fondles her (clothed) breast while embracing her. There are rumors that she starred in a pornographic film. Later, she’s shown in a compromising position with another man (whose pants are down, but whose shirt mostly covers his obviously bare backside).
Astrid’s husband, Michael, is shown in the shower, where his torso was seen. They kiss and are shown in bed together.
A variety of female characters wear low-cut, sheer and revealing outfits throughout the film. A lot of men are shirtless. Hundreds of women at Colin’s wild bachelor party are wearing bikinis. We hear a joke that suggestions “hookers.” A guy says unreservedly, “Let’s make some babies!” We see a group of women’s bare backs as they receive massages at a spa; one of them wisecracks, “I think my masseuse just got me pregnant.”
One married character is having an affair. We also hear someone had an affair that led to an illegitimate child. Oliver, who’s gay, calls himself “the rainbow sheep of the family.”
Someone makes a clear, reproachful comment about Rachel’s anatomy. Someone’s colorful outfit is mocked as looking like a “clown’s tampon” and a “slutty ebola virus.” Goh Peik Lin’s younger brother is enamored with Rachel, and he says several unacceptably indelicate things about her and even films her creepily with his camera (without her consent or knowledge) in a scene played for fun. A fountain sculpture includes classically sculpted nudies.
VIOLENCE
There is a story telling about how someone’s great-grandfather killed a tiger (which is now stuffed and on display at the entrance to the Young mansion). We also hear that someone’s ex-husband used to be physically abusive.
At a bachelorette party, women who are jealous of Rachel put a large, dead, bloody fish in her bed to scare her away from Nick, under the bloody letters, “Catch this you gold-digging b–ch.” At Colin’s party, a guy repeatedly fires off a rocket launcher into the ocean. (The last time, the recoil from the weapon knocks him down.)
PROFANE LANGUAGE
One f-word, one s-word. I have observed the profane acronyms “OMFG” and “WTF” in texts. There’s also one use of “fricking.” God’s name is misused about a dozen times, including two pairings with “d–n.” Our Lord Jesus’ name is misused once. We hear two uses each of “a–” and “a–hole.” There are several uses each of "bok-bok" “b–ch” and “b–tard.” Characters use one obscene reference each to the male and female anatomy.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL CONTENT
Characters guzzle various alcoholic beverages (beer, champagne, mixed drinks). Colin’s bachelor party takes place on a tanker transport ship that’s essentially been turned into a big, floating dance club, and alcohol flows freely there.
Nick looks for cigars in his desk at home. (His mother has gotten rid of them.) Someone casually references drug use in the context of a wild party. I hear a joke about Botox.
WEAK POINTS
Eleanor is coolly polite to Rachel for a while. But when she has an opportunity to do so, she leaves no doubt where she stands, harshly telling Rachel, “You will never be enough.”
A rich Chinese woman tells her demanding children, “There’s children starving in America!” Someone is said to be like an “Asian Ellen.” Rachel is described as being a “banana,” an ethnically Asian woman who’s “yellow on the outside but white on the inside.”
Women go on what one of them describes as a “shopping orgy.” Someone says, “No one loves free stuff more than rich people.” A woman is said to “fart Chanel No. 5.” Several characters deceive loved ones and withhold significant information from them.
CONCLUSION
Crazy Rich Asians is essentially an updated version of that beloved fairy tale, Cinderella. Only this time around, it’s the heroine who doesn’t know the identity of the man she’s fallen in love with, instead of the other way around. And finding out proves a harrowing experience for everyone involved.
But as with most fairy tales, things have a pretty good chance of working out in the end. And in this version, we’re invited to contemplate on the differences between two clashing cultures when it comes to love: the Asian values of loyalty and family; the American values of individuality and passion. Both sets of ideals, we see, have their connected strengths and weaknesses.
Speaking of strengths and weaknesses, Crazy Rich Asians—based on the bestselling 2013 novel of the same title authored by Kevin Kwan—is getting a euphoric critical response. The film’s hilarious, feel-good story looks set to provide some box-office sparklers! That being said, this film’s admittedly likeable characters still pave their way through a storyline that’s got some problem areas to sail across. Most notably, they include language and sexual overtone, weaknesses that tarnish this PG-13 rom-com’s otherwise wide-ranging draw.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
(Philippians 1:21 NIV)
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Drama
CAST
James Faulkner as Paul; Jim Caviezel as Luke; Joanne Whalley as Priscilla; John Lynch as Aquila; Olivier Martinez as Mauritius
DIRECTOR
Andrew Hyatt
DISTRIBUTOR
Columbia Pictures
THE PLOT
The story opens with the flock Jesus had left behind was in desperate straits. A good large piece of Rome had burned down a few years earlier, and Emperor Nero accused this upstart Jewish sect of starting the blaze. Christians were being inexorably and harshly persecuted—beaten or murdered or sent to the Circus, to be torn apart by wild brutes and beasts! Many of Christianity’s leaders had died when the film began. Those who hadn’t were either on the run or in chains, including perhaps the most principal and valuable leader of all.
For many years, Paul had traversed the Roman world, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. He had written letters of exhortation and rebuke; educated the young Church about God’s infinite love. No one had done more to spread Christianity, other than our Lord Jesus Christ himself.
But now it seemed as though Paul’s race was just about over. He was locked away in a Roman prison, deteriorating and wasting away in seemingly its deepest, darkest dungeon. Martyrdom was just around the corner ready to strike anytime. As to the day or hour, he did not know. But he knew it was coming.
But perhaps Paul’s work isn’t finished just yet. Luke, the Greek doctor-turned-Christian-turned-gospel-author, comes to visit his good friend in prison. Perhaps Paul has one more story to tell—the history and acts of the early Church. But most importantly, perhaps he can encourage Jesus’ followers—followers in desperate need of encouragement and leadership—one last time.
STRONG POINTS
Though Luke and Paul stand at the center of the story that the latter tells, let’s first turn our attention to least-known biblical characters here in the film, too: Priscilla and Aquila. These well-heeled Romans host and protect dozens of Christians in their home, putting themselves at serious risk while doing so. And as they hide young believers from the authorities, they consider some precarious questions: Should they leave Rome and find a safe place to live and grow the Church? Or should they remain and try to bring the spiritual light to the darkness that is Rome? Priscilla and Aquila are divided on the issue. Aquila insists that they won’t be any good to anyone if they’re gone, while Priscilla is firm on her stand that God is calling her to stay. They sadly argue on the matter, and there’s even an implication at one point that God may be calling them to different routes. But there’s no doubt, throughout these difficult discussions, how much they love and care for one another. And they’re thinking deeply about how best to protect both the Church and the Christians in their care.
But as I have carefully here in the film, as well as in Scripture, the early Church esteemed women and recognized their views far more than society as a whole did back then. Priscilla’s prominence in the New Testament record, and in this movie, gives voice to that fact. Priscilla and Aquila, along with Luke and Paul, work energetically to keep some of the younger, more confrontational converts from hitting back against the vicious Romans: We must turn the other cheek, they argue. “Peace begins with you,” Luke tells one. “Love is the only way.” And when a few Christians disregard those urgings, attack the prison attempting to rescue Paul and Luke, both of those leaders choose to rather tarry.
Paul, captive though he is, talks regularly with his main jailer, Mauritius—telling his adversary all about God’s love and goodness. When Mauritius’ daughter grows critically ill, and no Roman doctor or Roman god seems qualified of healing her, Paul recommends that Luke might be able to help him. Luke, with help from Priscilla and Aquila, is able to revive the Roman’s daughter and miracle of miracles, Mauritius in turn looks the other way at a decisive moment when he could have arrested them all for he has the authority under the name of the Emperor to do so.
SPIRITUAL CONTENT
The film, Paul, Apostle of Christ, centers on the two leaders who, between them, wrote much of the New Testament. It hypothesizes that Luke (the traditional author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts), Paul’s longtime traveling companion, visited the senior apostle during his final incarceration in Rome and obtained Paul’s account of the early Church from Paul at that point.
Some “Paul-centric” moments from Acts are told —narrated by Paul himself and shown, as flashbacks, to the viewers: how he talks about being a Jewish Pharisee enthusiastically defending his time-honored faith against this upstart religion of Christianity, and the role he played in the martyr St. Stephen’s death. He goes through his striking blindness and conversion and then begins his ministry. He speaks to the years between his pharisaical days and the beginning of his ministry, when his story was ostensibly silent. “I had to learn how to pray,” he says. “How to speak. How to love.”
Paul and Luke also hark back to about their travels together—ribbing each other regarding what awful travel companions they made in service to Christ. (Paul was especially, if jokingly, upset by the high-pitched voice Luke used to sing in.) And both take their faith very, very, very earnestly. We hear echoes of their influential works in their deliberations with each other and outsiders. Paul admits, “I have made many mistakes. But everything I’ve done, I’ve done for Christ.”
Paul doesn’t fear death a small amount, and he treats the trials that the Church is facing rather philosophically: “Christ has promised these difficult times,” he says. Priscilla, too, recalls Jesus’ words prophesying Christianity’s unavoidable persecution, saying that Christ was right “when He said He was sending us among the wolves.”
But Christianity isn’t the only religion we see here. Mauritius is, at least initially, a devout believer in Rome’s own pantheon of gods and goddesses. He has a complete shrine filled with idols, controlled over by one disc-like appearance whose eyes glow from the sunlight outside. His prayers and sacrifices grow more ardent as his daughter becomes terminally ill: A friend even suggests that the gods would look more kindly upon his petitions if he deals with Paul more punitively. And Mauritius’ wife believes these divinities have abandoned their family because Mauritius has been too compassionate with the apostle in his custody.
But Mauritius is obviously fascinated by the captivating man in chains. When the warden hears Paul speak, he’s bewildered. “You are sounding less like a leader and more like a slave,” he tells Paul.
“A slave who has been set free.”
When he’s about to be sent to the Circus with dozens of other Christians, Luke inspires them all. He says that even though they’ll surely be killed, the instant of pain will be fleeting, transitory, and then they’ll be one with their Savior. He leads them in prayer: “Father, forgive them,” Luke says, referring to the Romans of course. “For they know not what they do.”
SEXUAL CONTENT
I noticed in the film that one of Mauritius’ friends is quite vocal about his affection for prostitutes. There’s an unwritten note to rape and women being compulsorily turned into prostitutes. I get to catch a passing glimpse of a nude female statue in Rome.
VIOLENT CONTENT
I was so horrified to see how the Romans have leveled up their killing sprees to brutally murder Christians: They use them as torches for the city’s dark streets! The film commences with Luke’s entrance into the city: He stares at a street lined with the burning bodies of Christians hanging from the walls, and we hear screaming. Later, Paul sees a Christian being drenched in oil in preparation for his own final service as a living torch. (And we see the early stages of the man’s immolation.)
A valiant Christian boy steps up to deliver a message to other believers, despite clear dangers. He (and others) believed that he had a reasonable shot at survival, but is unable to make it. His broken, bruised body is taken back to Priscilla and Aquila’s house, stirring up bitter rage among some believers there. It’s not long before some of the complex’s Christians choose to take matters into their own hands: They attack Mauritius’ prison and kill a few guards (I see them stabbed, though not exactly bloodily), before they find their way to the prison’s ditch where Paul is kept.
When Luke first sees Paul in prison, he immediately knows that the apostle has been flagellated and lashed, and the doctor treats his wounds. I hear a guard talk about giving the elderly man “another 20 lashes.” There are several allusions to the cruelty and inhumaneness of the Circus, and we see some Christians walk courageously through its gates to their supposed deaths.
A girl suffers from a condition where her lungs flood with liquid: Luke treats her by perforating her back. Although the cut was not seen but the girl writhing in pain is loud enough to hear, thus draining her lungs. A woman who finds solace in Priscilla and Aquila’s complex area carries signs of a grave attack. We see people being beaten. In a flashback, we see Stephen’s martyrdom by stoning.
The film ends with Paul’s execution: there, Paul rests his head on some kind of dais as the slayer raises his sword. The camera swipes to the sky before the final blow lands
CRUDE OR PROFANE LANGUAGE
One use of “h—” word.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL CONTENT
Mauritius and a friend of his stop at a watering hole. The latter talks about his love of wines and spirits.
OTHER NEGATIVE ELEMENTS
There are no negative elements present in the film.
FINAL VERDICT
The film, “Paul, Apostle of Christ” is loaded with many encouraging and inspiring Christian content and positive messages. It gives us the opportunity to reflect that being an apostle or a believer of our Lord Jesus Christ is not easy. One is being tested every step of the way to prove his devotion and love for Him.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24 NIV) “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25 ESV) “In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33 Berean Study Bible) It is indeed a well- made, poignant film with strong enactments and an unquestionably compelling turn by James Faulkner, who plays the ostensible central character. As more and more Christian movies seem to make it to the open market, allow me to have a word with the aspiring faith-oriented film makers: This is how you should do it.
Honestly, Paul is not for everyone. It can be fierce and desperate and marginal, dismaying in all places: It ain’t easy to watch these living souls burn on walls, or bearing witness to the children marching to their deaths on the floor of the Coliseum. And for those who judge the quality of movies by the number of superheroes on screen—well, this Bible-based story, predicated on character, may feel quite slow in spots. Their loss: Paul, Apostle of Christ brings to life one of Christendom’s most compelling founders: a salt-and-pepper, worn-down fighter whose soul yearning for home, and who desires to bring as many other souls as possible with him. And if Christians bring along an impartial nonbeliever or two to see Paul … well, the apostle just might catch a few more.
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love My son, Jesus.
John 17:23
I have always been Father, and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know Me, Philip?
Even after I have been among you such a long time?
Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
(John 14:9 NIV)
Every Father’s Day, we set a special Sunday aside to honor our beloved biological earthly fathers year after year. It is very important to honor your parents. To honor them means to love and respect them, of course that’s easy. Our Daddies including mine are great examples of our Lord Jesus. However, sometimes it may be really hard. There are some of us reading this who have never met their own fathers or left the family abode. Or maybe they have done terrible things and it’s hard to respect them or in my case like the others our fathers may have gone up to heaven to be our angels watching over us. No matter what, fathers are not perfect because of sin. Even some famous Biblical personalities who are fathers have made some very bad choices that hurt others.
But this Father’s Day, I would like to give a humble homage to our Creator of Heaven and Earth and the entire Universe, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ through this article. Honestly I do not know where to begin but as far as I know and believe, there is one Perfect Father out there. He is none other than our Heavenly Father. He is the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, but He is our Father, too. 2 Corinthians 1:3 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion…” Who is this Father? Let’s see and explore through the Scriptures:
He loves us John 3:16
He cares for us Mat 6:26
He forgives us Psalm 103:12
He is compassionate Psalm 103:45
He is giving and generous Romans 8:32
He is understanding Psalm 139:1-2
He accepts us Psalm 139:1-6
He alone satisfies Psalm 107:9
He persistently pursues us Luke 19:10
He is a Father of reason Isaiah 1:18
He pardons Psalm 103:3
He heals Isaiah 53:5
He redeems Job 19:25
He is full of loving kindness Psalm 86:15
He renews Isaiah 40:31
He is righteous Jeremiah 9:23-24
He is gracious Ephesians 1:7-8
He is above all, sovereign Psalm 103:19
When my father passed away 9 years ago, I didn’t lose a father but I still have a father-our Almighty Father who always lives and knows no death. Through these biblical passages, I am beginning to feel secure and no longer alone. But here is one I find best of all because it sums up everything a perfect father should be. And if I come up with a classified ad for a daily broadsheet this would be a great fit. This one is from Psalm 103 in sections (verses 1-6, verses 7-12, and verses 13-19).
(Verses 1-6)
He has forgiven our sins.
He has healed diseases.
He has redeemed our lives (saved us!)
He has crowned us with love and compassion.
He has satisfied our desires with good things.
He is righteous.
He gives justice to the oppressed.
(Verses 7-12) He has led people throughout history.
He shows compassion and grace.
He is slow to anger.
He is love.
He does not treat us as our sins deserve.
(Verses 13-19) He has compassion on his children.
He made us.
He is forever.
His love is always with those who fear him.
His kingdom rules over all.
One reason we run away from God is because we fear Him but the truth is He has our best interests at heart. The Parable of the Lost Son Luke 15:11-32 New International Version (NIV)
God shows His love for us through everything He does. Another word for love is compassion. Compassion is beautifully defined as Love in Action. It means to know that someone is sad and hurting and will do something about it. Our Heavenly Father is a Father of Compassion. He knows that this world is harsh and cruel… filled with diseases, sickness, sin, injustice, loneliness, and fear. But, as we learned today, He has revealed His love through the things that He does for us in our lives. How about you, have you accepted His love? Have you grown more like His love? Have you let Him love through you?
Our Lord Jesus Christ told us the Parable of the Prodigal Son that we might know God is always ready to welcome sinners when they truly repent. It is never too late to return to our Father in heaven. As our Savior, He came to save those who are lost. Let us return to and remain in Him in order to be redeemed.
In closing, let me leave you with the Father’s love letter which is an assemblage of interpreted Bible verses from both the Old and New Testaments that are organized in the appearance of a love letter from God to you and me: Reflect on it very well and experience the deep divine love the Heavenly Father has for all of us, His beloved and precious children. Make Him the Lord of your homes. Love God with and in everything. Make Him a part of life’s rhythms and flows of your life in your homes. Remember no one loves us like our Almighty Father!
Dear Father, happy, happy, happy Father’s Month! May all fathers be wonderful, loving and compassionate as You. Amen.
by: Meanne M. Mijares
