Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9
The Arts and Books section of Saturday's Globe and Mail has a full-page article about the new directorial vision of Sarah Polley in the film adaptation of Miriam Toew's intriguing novel, Women Talking. It's about Mennonite women in South America who hold a secret meeting about leaving the oppressive community in which they have suffered various forms of abuse. The exceptional cast for the movie includes Rooney Mara and Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley and Frances McDormand. Wow. Little wonder that it was a crowd favourite at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The writer of the piece is Johanna Schneller, always deft, and in conversation she explores how Polley found her way out of the difficult, sometimes nightmarish world of a child acting star (Road to Avonlea) into a balanced, creative and collaborative life as a writer and director. If you can access this piece it is well worth reading and quite hopeful.
Near the end Schneller offers: "And though her film doesn’t flinch from darkness, it ultimately made Polley feel hopeful. The characters have a saying: 'Whatever is true, whatever is pure, whatever is honorable, whatever is excellent or worthy of praise, think about these things.' Polley now repeats that to herself every day.
Strictly speaking, this isn't a saying. It's scripture, a powerful exortation and prayer included in the apostle Paul's letter to the congregation in Philippi. He may have been under house arrest in Rome and near the end of his life by execution yet despite the darkness he upholds the light. I don't mean this to be a criticism or a quibble. It's just that there is a context for these words which give them even greater depth, even though they can stand alone as a positive mantra.
I too find them deeply meaningful and I have committed the passage above, which contains those words, largely to memory. When I am awake with the demons de jour in the bleak hours of the night I often repeat them, along with the first verse of Jesus Loves Me.
God knows that scripture is too often tortured and twisted to suit the sensibilities of those who want to shame and control others. The women in Women Talking are finding their way through and out of a religious community in which men have used scripture to their own ends, yet violated some of Jesus' most important teachings.
There is the irony that Paul was characterized as a misogynist for decades but in recent years scholars have noted that he often speaks with respect and affection about women who have taken on ministry roles, including in Philippi.
I look forward to the release of the film and those phrases from Philippians will continue to be a comfort to me.
Why did the turtle cross the road? To find its way into my latest Groundling blog which considers how we honour biodiversity in Creation. groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2022/11/turtle
1 comment:
A worthwhile and challenging novel Judy.
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