Sermon for January 10th, 2016
Leviticus 19:33-34
33When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. 34The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Luke 6:27-31
27‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Faith & Film IV: Bridge of Spies
Bridge of Spies is a film inspired by true events, which some here today may even remember--the cold war of the 1950s and 60s, the capture, trial and conviction of Soviet spy Rudolf Abel, the shooting down of an American U2 spy plane over Soviet airspace, the capture of its pilot, Francis Gary Powers, the negotiation of his release and exchange for Abel along with American student, Frederic Pryor.
Since the major events in the film have been public knowledge for about 50 years, I'm going to assume that means it would be impossible for me to give you any real "spoilers." In any case, the film's popularity and acclaim aren't really due to unexpected plot twists as much as to the great acting (by Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance), the tension, suspense, and drama that come with any well-told story. So if you haven't already seen it, I hope you will when it comes out on video next month. The film may be set in past history, but it has a very timely message for the present.
The film opens in a dingy New York apartment, where we see an older gentleman sitting by the window, carefully painting a portrait of himself. Later, the CIA bursts into his apartment, arrests him, seizes his art equipment and several pieces of espionage equipment, and we learn that he is Colonel Rudolf Abel, accused of spying for the Soviet Union.
The scene cuts to a smoke-filled backroom, where we see two attorneys trying to settle a case. One of them is James Donovan. He is an insurance lawyer, representing an insurance company against a claim by five motorists who were struck by one vehicle. Donovan is slick, but firm, and skilled in his argument.
