Please note, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is rated TV-14. People have a lot of strong emotion about John Walker in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which goes to show how well Wyatt Russell played the character. Most of those feelings were dislike. We see that from the characters in the show too, especially from Bucky. Sam Wilson doesn’t appear very fond of John Walker either, which makes sense. After Wilson gave Captain America’s shield to the Smithsonian, the U.S. Government decides to give it to Walker to be the new Captain America. While Walker has an impressive service record, there’s something he seems to lack in living up to Steve Rogers’ legacy. Yet when Sam and Bucky need help in going up against the Flagsmashers, Sam is the first of them willing to work with John Walker. He puts aside their differences and his frustration to do the work they’ve been given to do. Later in grief over losing his friend, John Walker uses the shield to kill the wrong Flagsmasher with all the world watching. Sam Wilson could easily have immediately turned Walker in. Instead, he gives him the opportunity to come in and salvage what might be left of his legacy. Sadly, Walker does not take him up on his offer. The call to forgiveness doesn’t mean we have to like the other person. It doesn’t mean we have to excuse their behavior. Jesus certainly doesn’t (See John 8:11). What it means is offering a way forward. In the community of the Body of Christ, it means realizing we are all trying to do God’s work, and we can do that together, even if we don’t like every aspect of the people we sometimes do that work with.
0 Comments
Please note, Encanto is rated PG. In Encanto, there's the magic candle that gives the Family Madrigal their powers. It can never go out, otherwise everyone will lose their special gifts.
In some ways, the candle in Encanto reminds me of the Paschal Candle. While there are no dire consequences if it goes out, the Paschal Candle is supposed to remain lit throughout the entire Easter Season (at least for all of worship during that time). The candle in Encanto gives everyone their gifts, and as we've discussed before, these gifts are similar to the gifts we receive through the Holy Spirit. Baptism is the key moment when we receive the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and it is one of the services where we are supposed to have the Paschal Candle displaced and lit, even if it is not in the Easter Season. Finally, the candle in Encanto is given as a miracle to Alma Madrigal as she is escaping with her family from people trying to hurt them. There's a parallel here with the Israelites journeying out of Egypt to the Promised Land. In fact, when the Paschal Candle is lit at the start of the Easter Vigil, there's a mention of the Ancient Israelites' journey. In symbolizing Jesus Christ's death and Resurrection, the Paschal Candle also reminds us of our own journey out of sin and back into our full relationship with God. While the candle in Encanto isn't the same as the Paschal Candle by any means, it is a tool that can remind us what the Paschal Candle is for us as well as its importance to us in our own lives of Faith. |
Please note, there maybe Spoilers in the Posts below!
The Rev. Trey KennedyHere is my take on how Superheroes and other characters can help us know God better. Categories
All
Archives
May 2024
|