FOS SUMMARY - The Lord of the Rings-Living the Sacraments

The Lord of the Rings 

MOVIE SHOWING

November 14, 2008

• Love is putting the other first.  Dominance puts oneself first which is the opposite of love.

• Manipulating the truth in a self-serving way is a sign of dominance.  Christ calls us to use our staff (power, skill, talent) not for dominance but for service.

• The prophet comes at the right time.  God always sends someone to guide us but do we listen?

• At crossroads (where they see the scarecrow that has the visual image of the cross), we must make a decision about which path to take and how far are we willing to go?

• Choice vs. fate:  It’s not to question why some burden has been given to us.  Rather, what do we do with the situation or opportunity that has been presented to us?  How do we get through it and what are the choices we make?  Don’t ask “why?”  You may not get a response. Ask “Who?”  The Who is God and His Grace is sufficient.

• The Hobbit Frodo carries the ring instead of the others who have greater wisdom, strength, power and resources.  Frodo bears the burden because as a Halfling, he is the most innocent (child-like) and dependent of beings, the posture needed to invite God’s Grace.  Further, it shows that God uses imperfect and broken people to accomplish His Will through the Grace He bestows.

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• We cannot make it on our own.  When we think we are our own god, we cannot move toward becoming in the image and likeness of God.

• Orks come from the ground – they are creatures of the earth that eat flesh – the way we would be with out the breath and life of God in us.

• When surrounded by sin, and you try not to succumb, it is a burden.  Feeling alone – when you take the high road it can be lonely. 

• The ring represents power – either for corruptibility or for good – for disfigurement or transformation. We think we can evade the battle of good and evil but evil will find us and try to possess us and makes us act in self-interest.  However, moving towards sanctity and holiness we fight the sweet yet corruptive temptation of power and carry the ring together in fellowship for the good of all.

• The power of mercy and forgiveness in God’s image is the most powerful message Tolkien wanted to convey in his books.  As a soldier in WWI, he saw many friends die and many German soldiers hung for their crimes.  He said that we, as humanity, should not hurt anyone anymore; we should simply recite the Lord’s Prayer.

Our identity and authority is interrelated and connected to Christ.