Update March 2022: Updated contact information and added movie clip
Original post from February 2019:
What is “holiness”? One of the most relatable religious messages I’ve heard in recent years comes from the movie Kingdom of Heaven from a Hospitaller, a military holy man (rough interpretation) from the Middle Ages. In the scene the Hospitaller (David Thewlis) speaks to the main character Balian (Orlando Bloom),
“I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of god. I have seen too much religion in the eyes of too many murderers. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. What god desires is here [points to head] Hospitaller: and here [points to heart]…and what you decide to do every day, you will be a good man – or not.” – Kingdom of Heaven, 2005, 20th Century Fox
Everyone in America can believe what they want. I love that. I love America. The quote above to me speaks to modern times and how humans have twisted the beliefs of large groups of people for their own gain under the umbrella of “religion”. The key portion to me is in the statement, “Holiness is in right action…“. It’s in holding the door for others. Using our manners instead of stopping, looking, saying nothing and assuming others will move out of your way. Remembering to take turns when in the merge lane on the highway, just like we learned in kindergarten. Amazing how the true nature of people comes out when they get behind the wheel.
On this Sunday I wish you all Godspeed in your journey through today and the coming week. I like the term “Godspeed”. It is not bound by any one faith. According to Merriam-Webster, Godspeed means “a prosperous journey”. I like it. Honestly, Godspeed really stuck in my head after watching the movie The Rock (a lot), when Sean Connery’s character tells Nicholas Cage’s character the etymology of Goodspeed, Cages’s character’s last name.
#kingdomofheaven #holiness #rightaction #knights #peopleprocessprogress