A few weeks back around 40 people from the Ipswich Circuit met at Cineworld where we were able to have a private showing, (at a discount admission fee), of the film The Penguin Lessons.
I think it would be fair to say that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the film, which worked on so many different levels. If you have not seen it and get the opportunity, I would really recommend it. Although we didn’t hang around afterwards to discuss the film, judging from the conversations I have had since with people, it has stimulated a great deal of thought and discussion. (A great one for house groups!)
I know there may well be other TFTDs coming out using material from the film, but I thought I would add my contribution. The film centres around Tom Michell a disillusioned English teacher in Argentina who has his own personal reasons for being there. It is the 1970s and the military junta are in control, with many people “disappeared.” Tom makes friends with the housekeeper, Maria, whose granddaughter Sofia also works as a chambermaid. He overhears a conversation between Sofia and her friend and is aware that Sofia has leaning towards the antifascists. Later he is witness to her abduction in broad daylight in the market square. Sofia calls out to him, but he turns away to keep himself out of trouble.
Sofia’s grandmother is distraught and joins the “mothers of the disappeared” campaigning for Sofia’s release. One of the most poignant moments for me is when Michell visits Maria and admits to her that he witnessed Sofia’s abduction and did nothing. Maria attempts to make excuses for him – “perhaps you couldn’t get to her through the crowds.” But Michell confesses that he had several opportunities to intervene but did not.
That must have taken some courage to admit this, and Maria forgives him, in fact she embraces and comforts him, although she is really the one who you might expect needed comforting.
How often do we consciously avoid standing up against injustice?
Do we have the courage to admit our faults to those we have hurt?
We pray “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Do we?
Prayer: Merciful father, why are we surprised when we can learn so much from the stories of others. Help us to take away those insights that we gain, and to put them into practice. Give us the courage to stand up against injustice, and when we have failed help us to have the courage to seek forgiveness, and if we have been hurt to forgive equally. AMEN