THE LAST WORD
By Pat Coughlan
Picture this: It’s the 1990s and there’s this monastery in North Africa where eight French monks live among their Muslim neighbours. Everything’s peaceful until one day, things go sideways when a violent extremist group makes its presence known, and suddenly everyone’s on edge.
The monks hit a crossroads — do they pack up and leave or stick around? They decide to stay put. Things get tense on Christmas Day when a man with a gun shows up. During their chat, one of the monks casually lets it drop that it’s Christmas, and the armed man looks puzzled. The monk asks if he knows about Jesus through the Koran, and the man nods, and understanding dawns. After that, the monks find out they’ve got his protection, though it doesn’t last too long.
My daughter told me about this real-life story from a monastery in Tibhirine, Algeria when she was studying about it in college.
With Christmas right around the corner, a time we celebrate Jesus’ birth, I find myself thinking about stories with powerful lessons. Consider ‘The Little Prince’, a tale that drops some serious wisdom. Remember when the Little Prince meets the fox, and they talk about taming? It’s not just about making friends, but also taking responsibility for those connections.
Stories like these remind us that everyday moments can teach us deep lessons, pushing us to find strength and understand what compassion really means. They make us feel connected to others and spark our own reflections. In a similar vein, the film ‘Of Gods And Men’ [pictured] packs a punch with its lessons on faith, sacrifice, and courage by exploring the lives of those monks in a simple but profound way.
The movie paints a vivid picture of keeping faith in tough times. It dives into how belief and decisions mingle, nudging us to think about our own values. One standout moment is watching the monks celebrate Christmas Mass, even when there’s danger looming. Their unwavering faith brings home the point about the power of hope. It’s the kind of story that urges us to think about what we believe in and where our strength lies when life gets tricky.
Then there’s this strong theme of brotherhood and human perseverance throughout the film. It showcases acts of sacrifice that seem small but carry a lot of weight. Like the scene where the monks share what little they have with the villagers, showing just how dedicated they are to their community.
These human connection tales are moving, and they push us towards a better understanding, shining a light on those quiet victories we all share. The visual storytelling highlights the lasting bond in human relationships.
The film goes all out with its artful design, using striking imagery to bring universal themes to life. One scene stands out — a nod to the Last Supper — that uses close-up shots to evoke deep emotion. The realness of it all stirs up compassion, drawing folks into the narrative. This artistic touch amps up the story, making a lasting cultural impact as it explores what it means to be human and invites each of us to reflect personally.
Thinking back on ‘Of Gods and Men’ I’m reminded of how simple tales can shine a light on life’s more complicated parts. The monks’ brave choice to stay, despite the danger, underscores faith and courage. Stories like these linger, offering insights that resonate within us.
Signing off before the holidays, I wish all readers a merry Christmas — or however you mark the birth of Jesus. Here’s to enjoying the festive season!
