If you were asked to name the greatest love story that you have ever heard, what would you say? The stories across history, captured in oral traditions, the written word, and art provide countless and many times dramatic accounts of the power of love and its capacity to bring out the most joyful and also the most painful experiences that we as humans can have. For me, cinema is one of my favorite art forms to experience the questions that life throws at us on a daily basis. And, if I had to name one of the greatest love stories that I’ve seen on the screen, it would have to be, La vita è bella, or “Life is Beautiful,” the 1997 Oscar-winning film directed by Roberto Begnini.
In the film, the narrator begins by stating quite clearly that “This is a simple story… but not an easy one to tell.” During the course of the story, the lives of the characters Guido, and his wife and son, are dramatically changed when the Germans invade Italy in the 1930’s, and the family is put into a Jewish concentration camp. The creative and imaginative resilience of Guido in this situation provides his family with the hope (and humor even) to move through the horrific experience, by simply playing a game with his son. It occurs to me that the foundation of his ability to do this can be nothing other than the tremendous love foundation of the family. It’s a matter of “remaining” in that love, already present, even in this terrible situation.
In the gospel, (John 15: 9-17), this is what we hear Jesus telling his disciples, “Remain in my love.” This is the only thing required – the one thing, it appears. Of course, it can take a million different faces in the ways that it can be lived, but it is a “simple story.” It is important to remember that Jesus is telling this to his disciples, who have had the experience of His great love. It is not something that they have to seek out. It is already there, they have only to remain in it.
How do we find ourselves in the Love of God? For me, I have always felt greatly loved, from childhood on. But I know that this is not everyone’s experience – in fact, many have had the opposite experience of not feeling loved at all. So how do you remain in something you may not have experienced? Or more appropriately perhaps, how do we give that to each other? It’s not magical. It takes time, and space, generosity, sacrifice, and, as Guido in the movie shows us – Imagination. It is the Gift. It can be difficult, but is there really any other thing that is worthwhile doing?
Love does not discriminate, or it is not Love! And, it also cannot withhold itself! If I am going to remain in love, it’s got to push me outward, open my eyes, ears and arms, and throw me into direct contact with others. There’s nothing static about it. It’s a different understanding of “remaining.” To remain in love then seems to mean to recognize the gift that is there already, (and that gift could be you to another person) and then pass it on, pay it forward, or however you want to look at it. The sky’s the limit for the creativity and imagination that we can use to “remain in love.”
Jesus says that “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete.” I find this to be asking me whether or not I can truly say that I have experienced Joy if it doesn’t always include others, and in fact bring them joy in some way.
The mother’s love that we celebrate this weekend is a symbol of God’s love – i.e., Love itself. The completely gratuitous privilege that we are all afforded, but that can only be known by our embracing and sharing it – Remaining in it! As Guido says in Life is Beautiful, “The game starts now. You have to score one thousand points.”
Peace,
Thomas