Is betrayal as black and white as one sees it to be or is there a time, at which, it becomes more a shade of grey? Like Jeff Keuss, the writer of “The Lenten Face of Christ”, I will approach Silence looking for a theme that not only shows up throughout the entirety of the book but also allows me to look at the theme and make a conclusion about the entirety of the story. In Silence, by Shusaku Endo, the reader sees a constant theme of betrayal come up. We see the Christians faced with becoming an apostate, as well as specifically the Jesuit Priest Rodrigues, being betrayed by Kichijiro, as well as having his mentor Father Christovao Ferreira “betray” his faith, as well as Rodriguez himself eventually recounting his faith. The entirety of this …show more content…
In the beginning Adam and Eve betrayed God, Kane killed Abel, Brutus betrayed Cesar, Judas betrayed Jesus, and so on and so forth. Major movies and books have their plot centered around betrayal. Betrayal is even prominent in human lives. Moreover it is something that humans have experienced and seen throughout their entire lives. Even when someone hears this word “Betrayal” we are left with a bad taste in his or her mouths. To Christians, more than likely, the betrayal of Jesus is the first and the worst one they can think of, the savior who came to save man, but was killed because a man’s, Judas, eventual betrayal. Throughout “Silence” we see the idea of betrayal come up time after time. On top of that theme we see the events of Judas and Jesus central to Rodrigues’ life. He had his mentor Ferreira leave the faith and become and apostate, as well as Rodrigues himself being betrayed by someone he thought to be his friend, and finally his own road to become and apostate so that he could live. In the beginning Rodrigues went from a man who thought that Jesus hated or disliked Judas because of his betrayal, which helped form, his theology towards his mentor as well as Kichijiro. This theology was not only questioned throughout the book and his real life, but is something that changed drastically. He thought he was like a Jesus figure in the lives of these betrayers but learned very quickly that this was nowhere near to the …show more content…
For Judas was in anguish as you are now “ In the End Rodrigues learns that he is Judas. The man he thought Jesus hated and disliked was he. He learned that the “betrayal” he once saw, as black and white, was not so straightforward after all. Because of his fear of betrayal of the church, “You refuse to do so. It's because you dread to betray the Church. You dread to be the dregs of the Church, like me.” Many people died. He learned that he was like Kichijiro in so many ways. He always said it was something that he could never do. In the end the relationship between Judas and Christ, that he thought he knew so well, he learned that he knew nothing about it. Christ did not hate the betrayal or the betrayal. Even though Judas had betrayed him he did not want him to suffer and live in misery. He simply wanted him to live at peace. Jesus came for the sinners like you and I. He truly wants the best for us even if we don’t see it in our current place. Christ does not go silent in the end and leave us in our misery. He came to Rodrigues and told him it’s okay to become and apostate. Something that Rodrigues could not understand because throughout the entire story he could not understand how this was okay in anyone’s eyes, much less Christ. In the end the question that comes to fruition is, was apostasy okay if it saved lives, in the end was it more Christian to denounce so that he could
The penance of Rodrigo was where the movie started to get very exciting. This penance demonstrated that even the most hardened person can be changed. Rodrigo undertook the sacrament of reconciliation. A sacrament is a symbol of “Christ’s love made visible.” A symbol is something that contains the reality it signifies, and also captures a meaning difficult to explain with words. The bishops of Vatican II (according to the “sacraments” reading) said that “purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men….” The penance of Rodrigo was a perfect example of a sacrament in action because Rodrigo was sanctified—he ceased to think that the natives were primitive people who should be enslaved. He realized the error of his ways. The bishops (again, according to the “sacraments” reading) also said that sacraments instruct. Another reason why Rodrigo’s penance was the perfect example of a sacrament in action was because through his penance and forgiveness, Rodrigo changed his thinking, which means that he was instructed on why his ways were wrong.
Upon reading the poem "Saint Judas" by James Wright, the reader quickly realizes that the poem deals with Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. The author describes Judas as "going out to kill himself,"(line 1) when he sees a man being beaten by "a pack of hoodlums"(2). Judas quickly runs to help the man, forgetting "how [his] day began"(4). He leaves his rope behind and, ignoring the soldiers around him, runs to help. Finally, he remembers the circumstances that surround his suicidal intentions and realizes that he is "banished from heaven"(9) and "without hope"(13) He runs to the man anyway and holds him "for nothing in [his] arms"(14)
The novel Silence has provoked much discussion on Loyola's campus this semester. As a predominantly Christian community, we find that the themes and dilemmas central to its plot land much closer to home for us than they would for many other schools: to non-Christians, the question of whether to deny (the Christian) God--for any reason--may not necessarily be such a personal one. Jesus' commandments to love God above all and one's neighbor as oneself do not find a parallel in all religions or cultures, nor does the seriousness with which Christians--specifically Catholics, and more specifically, Jesuits--have traditionally treated it.
...tle. Which is, “THAT YE SIN NOT”? What the Scripture is saying here in verse 1 is that if by any reason you should fall into sin, because of the lack of consecration and watchfulness you do not have to remain in the state of sin. God will grant unto you by His mercy another opportunity to be redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ, for the removing of your sins. Jesus is the advocate for those who fall in the temptation of their flesh and sin. The word advocate in the Greek parakletos, pronounced par-ak’-lay-tos, meaning an intercessor, counselor: comforter. Jesus Christ is represented as the mediator that counsels you unto strength, showing you the way back unto God. Once you have returned unto the Father, He will comfort you and keep you, only if you allow Him. The Lord will never console you in the state of your sins, for He finds no pleasure in you sinning.
A reputation can be so well established that if one person in power does a wrongdoing people will not believe it. For example when Mrs. Muller says, “Let me ask you something. You honestly think that priest gave Donald that wine to drink?” (47). Donald’s mother is questioning sister Aloysius because she does not believe Father Flynn would do something like that. He has a reputation of being a great priest and his reputation is better than Sister Aloysius’. Mrs. Muller states, “You’re not going against no man in a robe and win, Sister. He’s got the position.” (47). Just by Father Flynn being a male he has a higher reputation than a nun, which he knows and can accumulate for his actions. In the hierarchy of the Church, the head male priest is the most dominant. Therefore, nobody questions what he is doing; he has a reputation of being this influential priest who gives great sermons. He knows that he has the power to do what he wants and has his fellow Monsignor and other men in the ...
In Act I Scene I, we can see that the play start off with betrayal, because the citizens of Rome are in the streets cheering for their new leader, Julius Caesar, as he parades around celebrating his victory over Pompey. We can see this as Betrayal from the quotes of Murellus,
This means that Briony's redemption is never complete. Briony imagines the whole occurrence to be something she has written up and tells herself, "No atonement for God, or novelists, even if they are atheists. It was always an impossible task" Briony never attains absolute atonement, due to the extent of her crime and because she cannot be forgiven for it. She was never forced to pay any penance for it, in the same manner that Robbie and Cecelia were, nor did she offer any atonement for a desire to set things right, only to soothe her conscience. It can be therefore concluded that perhaps betrayal is something that cannot be atoned for.
In the story, the death of Narciso and Lupito cause Antonio to doubt his religion because he cannot understand why God let them happen. Lupito’s death is significant because it is the first death that Antonio witnesses. The murder of Lupito causes Antonio to wonder about religion, sins, and death. After Lupito dies, Antonio says that “a priest could have saved Lupito” (Anaya 23). Antonio questions his religion and the power of a priest because the priest could not save Lupito. Antonio doubts if he is capable of being a priest and he is unsure of his destiny of becoming a one. When Antonio sees Lupito at the river, he believes that he should have been able to save Lupito’s soul, since he might become a priest. Because Antonio could not save Lupito, he feels regret. Antonio shows that he is feeling guilty when he asks himself, “How would I ever wash away the stain of blood?” (23). Antonio’s guilt implies that his future of being a priest might not be suitable for him because he should not feel guilt in something he is destined to do. In addition, Narciso’s death causes Antonio to lose faith in Cath...
One aspect of his teaching that brought adverse attention to him was his repeated assertion that he was the Son of God sent to the Earth to redeem humankind. This was in direct violation of Jewish law. For this he was condemned to die. Betrayed by one of his apostles, Judas, Jesus did not resist his imprisonment he saw it as the fulfillment of his purpose.
Anyone is capable of betrayal, even those who you least expect. For some, jealousy or the need to be superior can influence betrayal. However for others, betrayal can be executed for what they may believe to be for the greater good. Either way, betrayal can corrupt a person, it is not a virtuous choice even if it is thought to benefit a situation. In the play Julius Caesar, betrayal is demonstrated through its character’s actions, and helps develop the theme to be careful of who you trust. Not only is this theme relevant to Julius Caesar and the conspirators, but it is also evident in real life situations that most of us come to face in the real world.
I leave you with one last line from this video. “I, want to love you, but something’s pulling me away from you, Jesus is my virtue, and Judas is the demon I cling to, I cling to.”
The concept of protecting your reputation by lying or betraying others is in sense ironic; in order to keep people from seeing you as someone that is corrupt you do those corrupt actions. The importance of someone’s reputation and the distance they will go to keep it untainted is based on the individual but as Miller showed us it’s easy for someone to go against what they believe in and become corrupt. Humans naturally want others to see them in a positive way, which is why you must handle your reputation with care.
In the tragedy, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, Brutus is left with a decision between loyalty and betrayal. The people of Rome are blinded by Caesar’s fame and power,that they don’t see what is the reason behind his motives. The senate is angry and concerned with the power that Caesar is gaining, so a few noble men decide to take action against Julius and decide to terminate his reign. The group of conspirators, including Caesar’s dear friend Brutus, joined together to assassinate Caesar before he could gain too much power over the people of Rome and become a Dictator over them.
In Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar, we are introduced to many characters. This play is primarily about betrayal and loyalty, trying to find out the wrongs of everyone and anyone and finding a way to turn their lives upside down. These series of betrayals is something that continues to develop throughout the entire play. The idea of Betrayal is something that this play expresses very diversely, and can be thought of in different ways. While Brutus seems to be someone who has the best intentions of Rome, he did have for anyone who directly involved with him.
The communal values evolve around religious events, having family honor and virginity. Even though the church’s betrayal is versatile, when the bishop arrives, it emphasizes the failure clearer. The people of the town, including the prie...