What do the movies "The Ten Commandments", "It's a Wonderful Life", and "The Blues Brothers" have in common?

You might puzzle over that a bit. "Ten" is full of scripture and drama, a very serious movie. While "Life" has drama it's more of a comedy, with a main character that doesn't always see things around him as humorous. "Blues" is ALL comedy, from the opening scene at the prison and the closing scene - at the jailhouse. The first two are filed in black and white, while the last one has main characters that wear black and white. Ten had a cast of thousands, while Blues had so many stars showing up even in bit roles I think they used every out of work actor or singer they could possibly find.

At first glance you see nothing, they are quite diverse. So I'll give you a hint - it has something to do with God. God speaks to the characters in one way or another in all of these movies, and they are all motivated by his words. But lots of movies have God speaking in them, usually in irreverent ways sadly, but still. There is more to this than meets the eye.

Christians are like that. Regardless of the vocation, unless it is outright sinful, you can likely find a Christian who does it. Doctor, farmer, IRS agent, teacher, fireman, baseball player, almost anything. Even gray area jobs like politicians or lawyers (just kidding!) We vary by age, from young to old. We are from as different backgrounds as different can be. Having said that we need to consider that it's nothing new. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (I Cor 6:11)

While this passage is highlighting their sinful past, it was partly because of their different backgrounds that they were involved in some of these sinful lifestyles. Yet they came together. It had something to do with God. God spoke to them in one way or another, through letters, the apostles, preaching or teaching, and they were all motivated by his words. Perhaps some of them had serious personalities and life was a drama to them. Likely some were normal people caught up in events that we would find humor in, but they didn't see it that way. And sure, there was probably a wildcard or two among them that left others uneasy or unsure what they were thinking or were going to do. I suppose at times we can relate with all of these characters (except the serious one, that is a mystery to me)

In any case, Paul encouraged these folks to get along in spite of their sinful past, and in a way in spite of their diverse present. They had to meet on middle ground, Christ's word, and join themselves together as members of Christ. Tough stuff.

But what DO these movies have in common? Why, the Vatican announced this last Friday that "The Blues Brothers" has been officially sanction by the church as a "Catholic Classic" fit for viewing by catholic families everywhere. Of course the movie is 30 years old this year and full of coarse swearing, maybe like appointing saints you have to be dead for a while before you qualify. So in 2040, Toy Story 3 has a chance. That would make a lot more sense!

Randy