I just discovered this morning that the Holy Father has not watched TV or the Net for 25 year,much room for thought. I threw my own TV out many years ago but use the net all the time I need to have a think. The the forum is fine. But....
This is the only outlet I have at present. I don't watch TV or listen to the radio..well very very rarely; once in the blue moon. Internet? ..Could do without at times. Give me my Bible and blessed devotions. God bless!
Also, Pope Francis says he has not watched television since 1990 when he made a promise to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Pope Francis did say that the internet and the knowledge from it is a gift from God, so I think used properly the internet is OK. Lots of temptation though. Plenty of Our Fathers should help counter that.
I admire him so much for this. Sometimes when I visit other people houses I see TV and I am certainly not missing much. But the net is a biggie.
I don't watch TV at home. I am writing a thesis at the moment so I'm busy with that but even when not doing that I don't watch TV (as in live TV) anymore. I do like to put on a DVD though sometimes. (I'm a particular fan of 'A Man for all Seasons' and any Lord of the Rings film!) I use the internet and while it is mostly for work, I have been looking at Irish news sites recently and I genuinely think I need to cut that out. It's so difficult though! It's like I'm addicted to getting irritated by whatever new nonsense comes out of the media's spew hole I do watch TV though when I'm at my friends' houses. I find that I'm like a zombie watching it. It switches off my brain (and my spirit I think... I don't know if that's possible but that's what it feels like). It's just such a habit and it feels like a chore to find something else to do when with friends relaxing in the evening. I would love to be secular TV and secular radio free though.
I heard a really interesting discussion of the Lord of the Rings recently on Radio Four, homing in on the character 'Galdriel' the elf Queen. Apparently the producer, Peter Jackson and others thought Galadriel was, ,by far,, the most spiritual of all the characters and so went to very considerable time and trouble to portray her in the film. I loved this as I always thought JR Tolkein (a very devout daily communicant) , clearly meant to portray Our Blessed Lady in Galadriel.
Siena, A Man for All Seasons ranks in my top five and I usually watch it once a year. My favorite scene is when he meets his daughter on the way home in the dark. She mentions the Oath of Allegiance imposed by Henry VIII. It is the portrayed humanity of Thomas that is most stunning! More does not rush toward martyrdom, but asks what is the specific wording of the oath. He was desirous that there might be a way of taking the oath without violating his conscience. But alas, there was not, and martyrdom followed. Safe in the Refuge of the Immaculate Heart!
Yeah I think she represent Our Lady also. I am always talking to my Mam about different aspects of the characters and she always has good insights. For example, I have always been curious about the scene where Galadriel is offered the ring and is tempted and we see what she would be like if she took the ring. Our Lady is such a central and important part of God's plan; it could not have proceeded without her fiat. Therefore, satan did surely try to tempt her. In the film we see that Our Lady, being a powerful force in God's plan, would also have been a powerful force had she chosen the other path. I find this fascinating and it makes me appreciate her fiat in a new way. However, I think my favorite character is Sam (Frodo's travelling companion). There is nothing special about Sam. He has no mystical powers and no fighting skills. He also does not have a job of any obvious significance - for example he cannot carry the ring, there is no prophecy about him, etc. He is just a simple man of simple needs. Sam's only armour and weapons are loyalty and love. These cause him to do simple but great things without which the ring could not have been destroyed. His character gives me great hope. Honestly I could talk about LOTR all day long! There is so much in the films... you're making me want to skive off work now and watch them again
I think you can tell a great deal about people by what favourite character they choose in Lord of the Rings. I would say Sam Gangees is the best choice of all. Though I have often wondered...if as Tolkein says Frodo represents the Christian on his journey (rather than Christ Himself)..then who does Sam represent?
Yes that is a great part in the film. I always think of martyrs as people that welcome martyrdom and I'm sure many do but I think the road to martyrdom is not something they welcome. I probably sanitise the experience martyrs and don't reflect on the very human experience as depicted in the film. I love in the film how the characters keep saying 'This isn't Spain. This is England!". The slow realisation that starts to dawn on Norfolk that perhaps England is getting more and more like Spain is very interesting, as is More's foresight of the same. I see parallels of course with today in that people think they live in an enlightened western world but this 'enlightenment' is becoming more and more soured by tyranny and lack of freedom each day. Of course, I also love the final scene in which More says 'I have ever been the King's good servant, but God's first'. So inspirational.
I suppose I have always thought of Sam as an innocent soul living in the world. But now that you mention Frodo as the Christian on his journey, perhaps Sam encompasses aspects of a guardian angel? He follows Frodo into the very fires of Mount Doom in his quest. He protects him and loves him with no sign of selfish desires. He also is patient with Frodo as the ring begins to take Frodo. He tries to advise Frodo (about Gollum, for example) but recognises the decision as one must Frodo must make and he must remain with Frodo. What do you think?
