LUKE 23:50-53

Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. 

Gospelthink: Joseph of Arimathea was convinced of what I taught, and therefore did something about it. Do I show my conviction in Jesus by my actions?

Realizing that his purpose at that time of his life was to "fix" the great film artist Georges Melies, Hugo Cabret in the final session of the movie named after him, set out to do exactly that. But he discovered that it was not an easy task. He soon saw, as George's wife pointed out to him, that there were many things in life that he was too young to understand. The one thing that he did understand though was that someone needed help and he could give it. As Georges Melies said after Hugo's help, "I am standing before you because of one very brave young man who saw a broken machine and against all odds, he fixed it. It was the kindest magic trick that ever I have seen." Hugo knew what he could do, and even though young and inexperienced, was able to accomplish it. 

There were no doubt many people who encountered Jesus during his lifetime who did some soul-searching concerning their lifestyles. It is one of the characteristics of a prophet to make people think about what they are doing, and then make some adjustments if need be. The Pharisee Joseph of Arimathea naturally encountered Jesus during his life because they were running in the same circle, namely, people dedicated to religion. Whereas most of his fellow Pharisees could not agree with Jesus, Joseph did, and desiring to do something about his own lifestyle, he changed his thinking to accept Jesus and what he stood for. His action of burying Jesus took courage and conviction.

Young Hugo Cabret was too young to understand the ins and outs of adult thinking, and especially what the past can do to the way people live in the present. But, in typical thinking for him who loved to fix things, he could see that he might be able to repair some situations, even though he was young and naive. Understanding the personality of Georges Melies, he saw beyond the great film-maker's mental pain, proceeding to repair the person behind the pain. He saw how difficult it would be, but spurred on by the love of his own father, he was able to accomplish it. As he did with mechanical things, he was able to "fix" Melies.

Studying both Joseph of Arimathea and Hugo Cabret, and placing their actions within the context of living in a better way, we can hear what God calls us to in life. A person who wants to bring about a better world, whether we are inspired by Jesus, or by a loved one from our past, will sense the pain of this world. Such a person will likewise want to do something about it if possible. He/she will view the situation, no matter how difficult, as something broken that can be "fixed," and set out to do it. Maybe the complete end will not be accomplished, but something will be done. And, if everyone acted in such a way, we would end up with a much better world. 

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, in many ways our human natures need some repair work. So often we are not what we should be. Your Son has guided us and given us direction. Help us see what we can do for ourselves and others, and give us the courage to try to help where we can. Be with us, we pray. 

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: We can repair difficult situations if we have the desire to do it.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 60 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. In your own words, define "a virtuous and righteous man."
3. Why was it a courageous act to do what Joseph of Arimathea did?
4. Who are some modern day prophets, that is, people who make us think about our lifestyles and call us to change?
5. In your opinion, what is the most important thing to learn from the past?
6. In general, what are some ways that a young person can help an older person who is suffering from mental pain?
7. Where do you see the "most pain" in our world? What can you do about it?
8. Scene analysis: one of the "love scenarios" of the movie is the one between the Station Inspector and the flower lady. What can be learned from their love interaction?
9. Dialogue analysis: Hugo--"If you lose your purpose, it's like you're broken." Why is this a true statement?
10. Analysis: Melies says that he lost faith in films when World War I began. Why would the war cause this?
11. Analysis: Melies thinks that there is nothing left of his life's work, saying that "Happy endings only happens in the movies." Given our Christian belief, why is there never a time when we should feel despair?
12. Dialogue analysis: Hugo to the policeman--"I don't understand why my father died, why I'm alone. This is my only chance." And pointing to the policeman's leg, he tells him that he should understand that. What is the meaning of Hugo's statement?
13. Dialogue analysis: Melies--"Come and dream with me" as he shows the movies he produced. What is your feeling about viewing movies that are only fantasy?
14. What does the movie "Hugo" teach young people?

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America