Mel Gibson is a sinner. Mel Gibson has done some very bad things. Mel Gibson is also a fine actor.
Here is the trailer for Mel’s new movie in which he portrays a man with serious mental illness. “The Beaver”
I have never been a fan of the professional ostracization of sinners. Love and loyalty to those who have sinned is not condonment. Hats off to Jodi Foster for giving Mel this chance.
December 4, 2010 at 9:40 pm
"Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future." Oscar Wilde.
"When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7 (Douay-Rheims Version)
December 4, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Thanks for posting this..
December 4, 2010 at 9:43 pm
The part where Jodie says "I will continue to fight for you and I love you" (paraphrase) really struck me as she and him are real-life friends and she has been sticking up for him. Looks like an interesting movie.
December 4, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I still find it amusing (?) that the traditional people I know defend his actions- I guess being super-traditional-rent-a-priest-'catholic' covers a LOT of faults. God is the only judge, yes- but I personally wouldn't just turn the other way and ignore the fact that he abandoned his wife, kids and now the mother of his 'love' child. I think because Mel is so famous and rich, his sins are semi-ignored by his community.
When people want to attend Mass, usually they don't have to turn in license plate numbers and sign confidentiality agreements
December 5, 2010 at 12:31 am
The Passion of the Christ is the greatest Christian movie ever made; the most unspeakably powerful portrayal of the Crucifixion. For this, we all should be grateful to Gibson. I think he's had a target on his head ever since. I don't excuse his behavior or his sins against his family. I'm just saying I think he needs our prayers. I hope he finds real peace and real mercy.
December 5, 2010 at 1:46 am
Thank you for posting this, it looks like a nice movie. I've known lots of good people who ruined their lives with alcohol, who did and said horrible things while drunk, and many of whom got it together and even found redemption, may Mr. Gibson do the same.
December 5, 2010 at 2:38 am
@Subvet. Amen to that.
December 5, 2010 at 5:16 am
At work, one of my friends had a calendar made for me with Mel's photo on it. She thinks it is funny that I insist that we should pray for him instead of condemn him. So, I am reminded to pray for him every day because I posted that calendar on my office wall.
Thank you for this post.
December 5, 2010 at 6:49 am
The Hollywood that is so outraged by Mr. Gibson's recent behavior
is the same Hollywood that cannot understand why what Roman
Polanski did is such a big deal.
Go figure.
December 5, 2010 at 10:43 am
I just can't understand how Mel could fall as low as he did. I suspect he himself is mentally ill. He's got a lot of people praying for him, so let's hope it does some good.
December 5, 2010 at 11:08 am
I have seen many devout, faithful, prayerful people, who dare to expose their faith through heroic action (I would include "The Passion of the Christ" among such heroic action) suffer tremendous trials in the aftermath – solid, strong Catholic marriages destroyed; families torn apart; tragic deaths or crippling illness of children and so on and many of these seem to bring such people to drastic action from seemingly sinful choices to leaving their faith entirely.
The Passion… touched hundreds of people and turned many to God – it also united many Christians of varied denominations who would otherwise have not interacted at all. Anything like this throws Satan into a rage. We should not be surprised at the mayhem that follows. And, perhaps we should read Job again, and consider these awful trials in that light too.
We are all sinners, and there but for the Grace of God… Prayer is the only right action, and the only one that can bring good from the situation.
Thanks for posting this.
December 5, 2010 at 12:35 pm
I like puppets.
December 5, 2010 at 2:24 pm
@m.hendrickx
I agree that Satan's rage when Truth is expressed can't be discounted and also believe that Love will triumph. All of us must be on guard and daily ask for protection. Bringing back the prayer to Michael the Archangel at the end of every Mass might be part of our arsenal.
December 5, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I have known several people in my lifetime who were mentally ill. Most of them were nice people who were baffled at the things they did when they were in the grip of a psychotic episode. Many victims don't understand they are mentally ill. They have a condition called anosognostia. Mel Gibson may have this problem. Pray that God will give him the insight he needs to bring his bi-polar illness under control. Pray that he will have the right docters come into his life who can give him the medical care that he needs. Pray that after he gets the right care, he will trn away from his sedvantist verison of the Catholic Church.
December 5, 2010 at 3:57 pm
People want to judge but they don't have the whole story. Give it up and let the man do what he does so well–entertain us. And say a prayer for him while you are at it. It is good for him and for you.
December 5, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Do not presume that you are beyond a fall like Mel's. St Genesius, pray for him.
December 5, 2010 at 9:35 pm
I agree with those who think that Mr. Gibson has some sort of personality disorder/mental illness, himself. We are all on the spectrum, in one way or another, but we can all seek healing in Jesus through whatever means God provides. God is close to the broken-hearted. Can we see Him?
We are all indebted to the mercy and grace of God. May we not cause Him shame, but rather bring glory.
December 5, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Thank you for posting this trailer. Gibson used his genius for filmaking -against great odds and in spite of those who hate Christianity -to glorify God and has been under spiritual (and secular) attack ever since. His alcoholism has led him into further self-destructive behavior, some of which smells suspiciously like a set up. The man who made the masterpiece "The Passion of the Christ" needs prayer not condemnation, especially from Catholics. May God bless and protect the man. I will go see this movie as soon as it is released and I hope all Christians do as a show of support and love.
December 6, 2010 at 2:40 am
Thank you priest's wife, for speaking sense.
Since he's "acting" the part of a mentally ill man, it's not such a stretch.
He needs that baby momma money!
December 6, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I can see his lips moving.