The movie "The Illusionist" is a love story, and in particular the love between the illusionist Eisenheim and Sophie von Teschen. Eisenheim and Sophie, as early as their teenage years, realized that they were soulmates. As usual with love this young, and especially because of the social status of the two lovers--Eisenheim possessing no nobility status, and Sophie, possible princess of the Austro-Hungarian Empire--their love-seeking was difficult and complicated. Poised between the two of them was Sophie's supposed future husband, the Crown Prince Leopold. Leopold sees himself as a man of reason, fascinated by Eisenheim, but certain that he is a fraud. Eisenheim lets his illusions speak for themselves, letting his audience interpret for themselves, setting up the possibility of a love between Sophie and him that will last forever.

Jesus never spoke about romantic love because it was not the custom of his day. But listening to his words concerning giving up everything in order to experience the joy of something else describes well the feeling of first love in a world in which we choose our love partners. Jesus described his kingdom as that which should dominate our entire lives and it is the same feeling that a first love creates for young people. Everything else is secondary.
 
First love is perhaps the strongest emotion that young people feel. Almost every adult will refer back to their “first love” as immature, but nonetheless a love mixed with very strong feelings. Many older adolescents who have had the experience of “first love” and have “moved on” in their love-lives, will remember their “first love” as an experience that was often overpowering. Initial love tends to be very strong, as evidenced by Eisenheim's and Sophie's love for each other. Young people who are in love for the first time must understand that even if it does not feel like it, most probably, there will be stronger loves that follow the first one. They must also be aware that the overpowering feeling of first love may cause the young couple to do and say things that could hurt them in their future.

Jesus may not have told his story about the treasure in the field with the idea of first love in his mind, but it describes the feelings of a young couple. The lesson that we should take from it is that when we feel that something is important, we should take the time to achieve it, time that will determine whether the desired end is really present or not. So it should be with the kingdom of God. So it should be with a budding love relationship.                       

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, your Son told stories that could easily be applied to romantic love. Help us treat our involvement in romantic love with pure intentions, and give us the grace to understand that longer time is absolutely necessary in discerning true love. Be with us, we pray.

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

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