Finding the real story behind Easter

By Paul Schratz

Last year, around Easter, the world was preparing for the film version of the Da Vinci Code, the blockbuster novel that earned its reputation by suggesting Mary Magdalene was the wife of Jesus and mother of His child.

The movie tanked.

This year's Lenten headlines announced the long-lost tomb of Jesus, and yet again, He was being linked to Mary Magdalene and a possible son named Judah.

The "documentary," produced by James (The Titanic) Cameron, was a front-page sensation, until people actually began watching it, after which it sank faster than the ship itself.

This may come as a surprise, but long ago there once was a time when Easter wasn't highlighted by front page headlines about the bones of Jesus, about a married Saviour, about repressed Gospels being rediscovered....

There was also a time when Christmas wasn't heralded by special reports on whether the Gospels of the New Testament are an accurate reflection of what happened two millennia ago, and by "newly discovered evidence" of an early Church that ordained women and blessed same-sex relationships.

There has always been debate among scholars about this point or that point, and there will always be academics who dissect the historical Jesus and whether the Bible is history or myth. What's unique about today's fodder is that it has become the only religious material most media will touch.

One Canadian TV network decided the season of Lent would be a good time to send out a press release patting itself on the back for some of the "diverse and complex" coverage of religion it has been providing, including the following:

-- "Clergy and parishioners alike (who) are challenging the authority of the traditional religious institutions to which they belong, and trying to make churches more responsive to people's real needs."

-- "Canada's first openly gay Roman Catholic priest, who "made the bold decision to seek election as a Roman Catholic School Board trustee, in the face of bitter opposition from the Archdiocese of Toronto."

-- Then there's the Catholic priest who was "cast out of the Roman Catholic priesthood for publicly supporting the ordination of women."

It needs to be acknowledged that some of these media outlets can do some very good work as well - their coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II was exemplary - but in regularly choosing to flog dissidence during the holiest seasons of the Christian Church, they know full well what they're doing. They're exploiting the holiday, rather than showcasing it.

The impact is significant. Most of these "Jesus's bones discovered!" exposes are unsubstantiated one-day sensations, and yet their effect on people who are unchurched or weekly catechized can be profoundly shattering. A single Page 1 headline can jeopardize years of poor sacramental instruction.

Of course this accentuates the need for Catholics to better know what they believe. It's never been more important than now for Catholics to know where their faith comes from, as a barrage of media is testing that faith 24/7 through bombardment by free newspapers, airwaves, podcasts, blogs, e-mails, and Web sites. To retain the faith a Catholic has to either filter it all out or have a strong and knowledgeable understanding.

Pope Benedict gave an important reminder of this need during his general audience last week, when he spoke of the importance of the Apostolic Fathers to the Catholic Church.

The Church Fathers are testimony to the unbroken line from Christ to the Church today, the Pope said. "The Gospel preached by St. Irenaeus is the one he received from Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, and the Gospel of Polycarp goes back to the apostle John, Polycarp having been John's disciple."

In what could almost be a jab at today's academics attempting to deconstruct historic Christianity, the Pope said, "Thus, the true teaching is not that invented by the intellectuals, rising above the simple faith of the Church. The true Gospel is preached by the bishops who have received it thanks to an uninterrupted chain from the apostles."

As for all those newspapers, newsmagazines, and TV networks who are looking for feature material during the holy seasons, here are some suggestions for them.

Next holiday, profile the life of a drug addict, prostitute, criminal, or social castoff who entered the Church last Easter, and describe how their life has been transformed though Christ's saving help.

Try telling the story of someone who walked away from a life of comfort on Bay Street or Hollywood to enter the seminary or religious life, and tell it so people understand, not as though the individual is some type of freak.

Interview someone who has benefited from Christian counseling, or do a feature on the early Church Fathers and their contribution and relevance to today's faith.

These aren't only good stories for the Church press; most are legitimate secular stories. They'd also be more fascinating than yet another discovery of a lost Gospel or collection of bones.
Happy Easter.