Spiritual Cinema Circle at St. Luke's

The film shorts are well written and nicely portrayed. Each one seems to take a slice of life and simply magnifies it for everyone to see. The filmmaker uses skills of perception and technology to make the situation to come to life. Meanwhile, we eagerly position ourselves to do more than just watch. We want to engage the film even as it seeks to engage us in a matter of only ten to fifteen minutes.

One can enjoy the film as simply a story depicting something of a life situation. That is gratifying up to a point and nothing more. You may also search for some moral to the story. After all, there must be some reason for choosing this living portrait. We are supposed to get “something” out of it. Indeed the discussion following a film short can go many different directions. The more participants viewing, the more “somethings” may be seen and shared.

Yet, the film short series we are using in the Summer Discipleship Forum is entitled “Spiritual Cinema Circle.” The films do provide some kind of story. They also encourage insights about life that challenge us to see things in a different way and perhaps grow. To use the term “spiritual” suggests that we are being invited to go even deeper. God often isn’t mentioned but God is often very present. Salvation isn’t preached, but transformation, on the screen and in us, is often happening.

These Spiritual Cinema films invite, sometime pull, us to a deeper level concerning the meaning of life. Though our desire is often covered by the busyness of our lives, we all want to understand and live into the meaning of life for us. And, as a Community of Faith, we naturally understand that involves God (by whatever name), people (of all kinds) and every day life (unending varieties).

So, in any given film we may be challenged intellectually and/or touched emotionally by what we experience, but one must ask is there something more – deeper – relevant – transforming? If God is in all things and moments and relationships, is there something to be experienced of the divine? If we all share in a common humanity even as different as we are, are there lessons and connections we share with each other. And, if every day opportunities, circumstances, choices, relationships and surprises compose the stuff of our lives, shouldn’t we be asking what is really important and what does it all mean?

The Spiritual Cinema Circle experience may raise actually more questions than answers, but I believe we will come away blessed, changed and more sensitive to all of the above. This should not be approached in a “ponderous” way, but with a serious and playful desire to go deeper in our faith and in life.

Come and join in this summertime experiment with Spiritual Cinema on Sunday mornings in the Discipleship Forum at 9:15. This is a gathering where everyone knows your name and wants to hear what you have to say. Don’t be late.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+