A Reflection on the Beatitudes and the 2014 film “St. Vincent”
As we prepare to celebrate All Saints’ Day, we honor the countless saints who have gone before us, their lives a testament to the enduring power of faith. But who are these saints? Are they only the canonized figures of the past? May they be also the ordinary people who, through their love, compassion, and sacrifice, make a difference in our lives?
In one of our previous week’s gospel readings (Mt 5), Jesus outlines the characteristics of the truly blessed. These are not the wealthy, the powerful, or the perfect. Instead, Jesus exalts the humble, the sorrowful, the merciful, and the peacemakers. These are the qualities that define a saint.
The 2014 film starring Bill Murray, St. Vincent, offers a poignant exploration of the concept of sainthood. Bill Murray delivers a beautiful performance as Vincent McKenna, a flawed and troubled character who, despite his vices, possesses a deep well of compassion and humanity.
Vincent, a grizzled Vietnam War veteran, is a complex figure. He’s a drunk, a gambler, and a womanizer. Yet, beneath his rough exterior, he yearns for connection and meaning. His unlikely friendship with a young boy, Oliver, provides him with an opportunity for redemption.
Oliver, a bright and observant child, recognizes the goodness within Vincent, despite his flaws. He nominates Vincent as a “saint of today” in a school project. This act of recognition challenges our preconceived notions of sainthood. It suggests that saints are not merely those who are morally perfect, but also those who strive for goodness, even amidst their imperfections.
The film St. Vincent invites us to consider the transformative power of grace. Vincent’s journey, marked by both sin and redemption, mirrors the human experience. We all struggle with our own flaws and failings. Yet, through the grace of God, we can be transformed and renewed.
One of the most powerful scenes in the film occurs when Vincent, in a moment of sobriety and reflection, turns on a garden hose and, as the water flows, begins to sing Dylan’s “Shelter from the Storm.” This simple act, filled with profound symbolism, suggests a spiritual awakening. The water, a traditional symbol of purification and renewal, washes away our misconceptions about Vincent’s and opens us up to the possibility of redemption.
As we reflect on the lives of the saints, let us remember that sainthood is not a distant ideal. It is a call to live a life of love, compassion, and service. It is a call to embrace our imperfections and to strive for holiness.
May the memory of the saints - perfect and flawed - inspire us to live lives of faith, hope, and love.
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