"For Greater Glory" with Andy Garcia and Peter O'Toole (2012)

In 1917, as the United States went to war with Germany, Mexico had a Revolution. The new President, Plutarco Calles, had promised all kinds of land reforms, but by 1926 he was instituting some of the most draconian laws ever imposed on the citizens of Mexico. He outlawed the Catholic Church, making it a crime to worship in public and even in the privacy of one’s own home. To ensure that his edict was enforced he sent out troops to pillage the churches and hang the Priests.

Economic boycotts were used at first to bring down the regime, but this action only inflamed President Calles further, sparking even more killings.

Peter O’Toole plays the Priest who is executed for continuing to hold mass, and his death sparks a nascent movement, turning it into a full blown conflict between the Mexican people and their government. That conflict would echo around the world, moving officials at the Vatican to implore President Calvin Coolidge to undertake some sort of diplomatic role in the conflict just south of our border.

The League for Religious Liberty (LNDR) sprang into life, with soldiers and citizens working clandestinely to arm the citizens and take back their churches. With the aid of a sympathetic General Gorostieta, who is played by Andy Garcia, the group becomes powerful and threatening to the established government. The General is not religious, but is married to a very devout Catholic, played by Eva Longoria, who does not believe in violence and is torn by the actions of her husband, who believes in the freedom of worship.

Expertly written by Michael Love, this movie is as pertinent today as it was when the actual events took place almost 100 years ago. Able acting by all, including Eva Longoria, the film raises timeless questions about freedom and morality, as well as the responsibility of governments to protect their people, and not exploit them.

Based upon the true life events of the movement which became known as the “Cristiada”; which restored religious freedom to the people of Mexico; the movie calls to mind a question which still baffles us today. When is it right to fight against religion; and is it ever right to fight for it? 

A Palm Sunday Memory - 1959

This is one of my favorite pictures of Jesus, riding into Jerusalem on what became known as "Palm Sunday", which happens to be today for the world's Christians, who number in the billions. Although I am a Jew by birth, my father was a practicing Catholic until I was about 6, attending Church each Sunday morning. And, occassionally, I used to go with him.

I especially looked forward to Palm Sunday, for several reasons. The first was purely mercenary, it was one week until Easter, and the candy which the Easter Bunny would bring. The second, and more immediate delight was in the long palm fronds which were handed out to the congregants, in order that they symbolically welcome back their Saviour. These Palm fronds, to me, represented not only Jerusalem, the Crusades, Kings and Gods; these Palm fronds were no mere leaves! Rather they were the embodiment of the whole world, and what lay beyond the borders of my little life beyond Kings Highway and Bedford Avenue.

The last time I went to church with my Dad on Palm Sunday was in 1959. I still remember coming home from church with him, and the long palm fronds, teasing my brother with them. The fronds seemed so much longer to me then. The ones I see now a days can hardly compare to the expectations of that six year old boy I used to be. But just the memory of them awes me.

Guy Fawkes Day - 1605

Today is the Anniversary of Guy Fawkes Day, that occassion in 1605 when Mr. Fawkes, an English Catholic, was captured while attempting to blow up Parliment with casks of gunpowder stored below the Parliment chambers. While the plot failed, he was instantly immortalized in song and poem. You might call him one of the earliest "ant-hero" characters in history.

The "Gunpowder Plot" happened after King James the First fell through on his promises to end persecution of Catholics. Guido Fawkes was an English Catholic. The law in England then, as now, states that no Catholic can ever be Monarch. And just to make sure that this never happens, the Queen is still the head of the Church of England.

So there will be bonfires and celebrations in Britain tonite as the English celebrate the day that Guy Fawkes didn't blow up Parliment. Or maybe they are celebrating because he tried....

Old English Poem - Fifth of November

Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot ;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'Twas his intent.
To blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below.
Poor old England to overthrow.
By God's providence he was catch'd,
With a dark lantern and burning match

Holloa boys, Holloa boys, let the bells ring
Holloa boys, Holloa boys, God save the King!

Hip hip Hoorah !
Hip hip Hoorah !

A penny loaf to feed ol'Pope,
A farthing cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down,
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar,'
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head,
Then we'll say: ol'Pope is dead.