Posted on 03/10/2005 7:06:00 AM PST by NYer
Madrid, Mar. 09, 2005 (CNA) - The Archdiocese of Madrid’s publication “Alpha and Omega” publised an article in its latest edition on the testimony of the actor who played Barrabas in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” who says he experienced a profound conversion while making the movie.
Pedro Sarubbi, in an interview with the Italian daily Avvenire, said he had wanted to play St. Peter but Gibson “had already chosen the actors based on their resemblance to the different characters as portrayed in the paintings of Caravaggio and other masters.” “As Barrabas, Gibson told me to avoid looking at Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus, until the very scene in which we were to appear together. ‘Barrabas is like a ferocious dog,’ he told me, ‘but at one moment he becomes a puppy: when he meets the Son of God and is saved. I want your look to be that of somebody seeing Jesus for the first time’. I did as he said, and when our eyes met I felt a sort of surge. It was like I was really seeing Jesus. I had never experienced such a thing in all my years of acting,” he stated.
Sarubbi said “The Passion” “was not only a professional, but above all a human experience. I am not embarrassed to say that during the filming I had a conversion. All of the actors who took part changed a little bit after this experience, but I have learned much more from the film than from any conference.”
The actor said his spiritual search “began many years ago and took me around the world. I have done extensive anthropological research, as a man and as an actor. I have been instructed in the martial arts...I lived in a Tibetan monastery for six months with a vow of silence. I have practiced meditation in India, I have lived in the Amazon. I have reached the final goal of this search in Jesus.”
Now, he went on, “I do everything possible so that those eyes continue to be important for me. My family is first above all, and I also play a clown for orphaned children. On the other hand I have my work. I teach businessman how to act in public. I teach in various acting schools. I use what I call the warrior-priest-clown method. In life you have to be strong, honest, spiritual and funny.”
Although Sarubbi has traveled around the world, he is most at home on his farm on the outskirts of Milan, with his wife and four children, and dozens of animals.
Is that plain enough?
No. Not really. Actually if you read the entire quote it sounds very eastern mystical. What was he searching for?
Then I take it he was not converted to Catholicism. :-)
But I admit we don't have all the facts. The article was very vague about this conversion experience.
I would THINK..coming from a Catholic Newspaper...he converted to Catholism...the kind Mel Gibson is . after all the word was the actor had the Latin Mass everyday during filming !!! so the guy who played Barabas...must have seen the WAY !
"Conversion" has two meanings. One is change of religion or denomination, e.g a Baptist becoming Catholic. The other is a change of the heart, multiple times described in the Gospel. It is a turn ("conversio" means turning) away from sin and toward Christ, sometimes instantaneous or rapid, sometimes very gradual. Such spiritual conversion may happen, and in fact should happen, to someone already baptized and churched. Ideally, a Christian is in a state of perpetual conversion as long as he lives.
Anytime... they really have a scholar in Apolegetics that comes on Drew Marioni's show in the afternoon.
My radio station is set on Relevant Radio in central Wisconsin. (93.9 FM)
Nice to know..........keep us up to date on Relevant Radio's programming.
One thing stood out as seperate from the rest of the tone of this piece (not bad, just in a different vein) that I really liked:
I use what I call the warrior-priest-clown method. In life you have to be strong, honest, spiritual and funny.
I like this guy. I like this philosophy.
I am henceforth going to present myself as a warrior-priest-clown. Braveheart with a red nosey.
Mel did a wonderful job. That movie has touched a lot of us in so many ways. God bless him, and may he continue making more movies.
A wonderul Catholic radio station that is slowly growing around the country.
Excellent radio station. Jay turned me on to it last week. (thank you!) I'm hooked. I love listening to Fr. Corapi...his loud, booming voice gets me moving on those early mornings!
You don't need to hear it, it's none of your business. It's between himself and Christ. Breast thumping is not a requirement in loving and following Jesus.
I don't know, Karen, but your post sure sounds exciting, LOL (just kidding.)
Now don't get me in trouble, Victoria. Jay's a happily married man! :D
/snicker!
LOL! I can't help it sometimes. I'm baaaaad.
Great......nice to hear it.
Then why the interview and the article?
It's between himself and Christ.
And all the worldwide readers of Avvenire.
The interview and article tell of how he now believes. It doesn't tell how he practices it, nor should it. Again, it's not our business. He spoke to a life changing time. Why isn't that enough for you?
Victoria you should give Relevant Radio a try. It's great!
I picked up the book, Inside The Passion tonight. It's exquisite.
They have a great picture of Mel sitting next to Jesus (Jim C.) in the Pretorium. A heck of a shot.
They talk extensively about the shot when the cross is dropped and Jesus holds it up in mid-air. The miracle is for Mary Magdalene,so she doesn't lose hope.
According to the author, it actually has roots from the writings of a seventeenth century nun, Mary of Agreda.
I thought the Vatican had you on the list for beatification?
St. Victoria... pray for us!
This comment coming from the big, burly guy who played Barabas. Now, here's something to ponder. Do you know what the name 'Barabas' means? In Hebrew, 'bar' means 'son of' and you probably recall Christ referring to His Father as 'Abba'. That's correct - Barabas means 'Son of the Father'. Now! Consider the contrast - Pontius Pilate offered to release one of two prisonsers - Jesus (the Son of God [the Father]) or Barabas (Son of the Father).
Wow... interesting!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.