Ender's Game: Reading the book, watching the movie, and imagining eternity

A movie is never as good as the book.

Ever.

We saw the movie Ender’s Game today. We had all read the book – which was phenomenal. So we were pretty sure the movie would stink. It wasn’t bad. Not bad at all.
 

Ender was good. Bean was adorable. The adults were the weakest part, but the kids carried the roles well. And that’s not easy to do. The film adaptation of a book almost never holds up to one’s imagination. You go into a movie with a character in your head, and you walk out of the movie with your own perfect image obliterated. Never again will you be able to drum up the image in your mind, no matter how hard you try.

Poof. Gone. From now on Colonel Graff will be Hans Solo. Bonzo Madrid will be that little cheeky kid from Hannah Montana. And Mazer Rackham will be Gandhi.

Not so with God. You read the Bible. You go to Mass. You pray. But you have only begun to imagine what eternity will be like.

Our eyes have not seen. . .

Our ears have not heard. . .

Our imaginations cannot conceive. . .

. . .  what God has waiting for those who love Him (I Corinthians 2:9).

The finite cannot grasp the infinite. It cannot even come close. The faithful will not be disappointed because the human mind can never ascend to such divine heights - no matter how brilliant we are - no matter how creative. Our only hope and safeguard against really getting it wrong (and having our finite minds totally fall into heresy) is to stick close to Mother Church. The Holy Spirit leads her into truth. Always has. Always will. (John 16:13 & Matthew 16:18).

The Church is – and always will be – the pillar and bulwark of truth (I Timothy 3:15).

She possesses the author – or rather, the Author of life possesses her. She alone has the fullness of faith, for Christ has given His Body to her.

So, go ahead and imagine eternity. If you remain grounded in the faith that has been passed down to you (2 Thessalonians 2:15), you will live to see what God has waiting for those who love Him.

And you will not be disappointed.

 

Ender's Game: Reading the book, watching the movie, and imagining eternity

Happy Endings

Life isn't like good fiction. It doesn't end well - as far as I can tell from an earthly point of view.

Someone we love dies suddenly. A friendship sort of just slips away. People who were hugely important in our lives at certain points - well, we can't even remember their names after a few decades.

We don't usually get that great wrap-up moment for a Hollywood goodbye. A chance to say how much someone meant to us.

Too much is left undone. Untied. Unfinished. Definitely not good fiction.

I believe one of the great benefits of the Communion of Saints is that we will have the chance to have perfect "communion" on the other side. No hurt feelings to get in the way. No tragedies to tear us from each other when we aren't ready. All of eternity to be together without feeling rushed. No complicated relationships.

Finally, a chance to tie up those loose ends and have that happy ending - except it won't have to end. Take another look at the shoelaces. Notice, they form a heart. I chose the picture for that reason. The untied ends will come together well - one day.

And if you are struggling with a particularly difficult ending, visit Our Lord in Adoration. He is the source of the pending happy ending. He alone orders all things well.

Happy Endings