Feast of the Epiphany (1/6/07)
Dear Friends in Christ,
I recently saw the first of the Lord of the Rings trilogy for the first time since it came out in theatres. This time around I was able to pick up on some of the more obvious Christian symbolism in Tolkien's storytelling. The focal point of the story is the Ring of power, the universal representation of the sin that is within every person. To the righteous (Aragorn, Gandalf), it is evident that the ring is treacherous and must be destroyed at all costs. To those whose consciences have been cooled and have "lost the sense of sin" (Boromir), the ring is more ambiguous, perhaps even a good thing which shouldn't necessarily be destroyed. I drew parallels to the Christian journey distinguishing two types of persons, the humble and the arrogant. Since the ring represents sin the presupposition here is that every person is susceptible to being tempted by it without exception. At least in this story no one is immaculate or above sin. The humble person is the one who recognizes this reality, that he is weak and susceptible to sin, that he will inevitably fall but shouldn't be surprised by his fall. Just as Aragorn and Gandalf distrust themselves and are vigilant in the presence of the ring, the humble person is vigilant and on guard against temptation. The arrogant person is the one whose pride blinds him from acknowledging his own frailty, choosing to rely on himself and thereby rejecting God. Likewise, Boromir is seemingly convinced that he is immune to the ill-effects of the Ring, rejecting the proposed solution by Way of the Cross (the journey to Mt. Doom) insisting rather on bringing it to Gondor. Boromir commits the Pelagian heresy by relying on the strength of his own arm and failing to see that salvation can only come from God for "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
The only proper response to sin is that of humility, which prompts us to get up immediately after every fall, and by patiently bearing the Cross which serves to mortify concupiscence and destroy the sin within us. I likened Frodo to the exemplary models we have in the Saints. Frodo is ordinary, not one who is perfect and without sin. Throughout the film, he noticeably feels the effects and burden of the Ring, even bearing a shoulder wound which "he will bear the rest of his life" resembling humanity's woundedness in original sin. Like Frodo we too feel the effects and burden of our own sins. At times the going may seem too difficult and we may be left wondering if we will ever be liberated from the sins that ensnare us. But just like Frodo we too can count on the Fellowship of the Ring, that is, our siblings in Christ that God has gifted us. The Way of the Cross is difficult, but we have the aid of others like ourselves who are making the same journey in the collective effort toward Salvation. During our times of weakness and difficulty we can be assured of the company and support of friends like Samwise. Just as Aragorn and Gandalf realized that the only way of defeating Sauron definitively and achieving Final Victory was by journeying to Mt. Doom in order to cast the Ring into the fire, so too must the Christian disciple journey his entire life by taking up the Cross whereupon reaching the foot of that Cross, he will already have been assured of Victory over death and sin.
Christ repeatedly tells us in the gospels, "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me". And what is this cross of which He speaks? The Way of the Cross signifies the self-denial that is necessary as a means of self-donation. It is the lifelong combat against the poison of sin countered through the antidote of practicing virtue. It is graciously accepting the difficulties that come your way by generously offering the suffering that has been invested with redemptive value through Christ. It is patient endurance with confident faith, unfailing hope, and merciful love while keeping your eyes fixed on the King who has tread the journey before you.
Your brother in the Fellowship of the Christ through Mary,
Edward
