Weekend dates

Once in a while, B and I have our date days. Don't get me wrong - we do go out a lot. But, to designate a day to be just 'us' days, that's seldom now since we're so immersed in wedding planning.

Thursday - we picked up our cute little nephew in his daycare because his dad had to work OT and his mom doesn't get off work till 5:15pm and with the rush hour traffic, the little boy might get stuck alone (all playmates gone) in his daycare. So, B&I went to pick him up and how happy he was! See, he's at this stage where he can definitely show attitude (he can opt to snub you or play deadma on you... yeah, that attitude!) if he likes you or not. When we went to pick him up, he was so overjoyed - shouting Auntie and Uncle all over! hahaha How cute!!!!!!!! :)

Friday - got some Gracie and Stuff toys and bought Katelyn a haltered top and mini skirt for her gifts during my lunch hour. Dinner was at Craving's Market Restaurant in Fairmont Drive SE where they do the service a la Streetlife in Makati. However, instead of the 'passport', they just provide you with a "market list" where they stamp your card with all the food and drink you ordered. B was impressed because he thinks it's a cool idea (but there I was having to boast more about how nicer it was in Manila with this concept being used to the max with having a centrestage for live entertainment, you can't beat that! hahaha) - but, I have to say though, that the food is really good!!! :) I had mango-mint dressing for my spinach salad (complete with cranberry and sundried tomatoes), Grilled Salmon, and calamari (talk about pigging out! yikes!!!) while B had Ceasar's and steak sandwich. Geez, very gourmet for sure - but the price is mid-range. Think Moxie's or East Side Mario's price but all fresh and really yummy! We had our cakes to go (I had the deep dish apple pie and B had Banana split cake).

Then, off we went to Chinook Mall for Da Vinci Code. It's been 5 months since we last stepped foot in the movie theatre and we seldom go to Chinook because everyone goes there! hahaha Anyhow, here's my take on DV movie.

1. If you're Opus Dei, don't watch the movie. Yes, it is a bit over the top, with Silas acting as the emissary - poor guy, he was definitely used in the movie - and so was the Captain investigating the murders.

2. If you're a strict Catholic who follows really hardcore church doctrines to the point of being fanatical, don't go to the movie. Jesus Christ was depicted to have had a relations with Mary Magdalene (who was perceived to be last sharing the table in the last supper when in fact it's John the Beloved) and creating a ruckus that there probably are still living descendants of Christ to this age.

3. As a Catholic who knows my faith and I think we're strict enough to know that this is UNTRUE, overall, I didn't experience doubt or vehemence to the movie. It's fiction, it's supposed to create entertainment - and perhaps, a means to revisit what you understand of the faith.

4. If you're a historian, theologian, this is a movie that's open for attack.

5. Some of the things we took from watching the movie was this question asked by Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) to Sophie. "If you are the last living descendant of Christ, what would you make out of the faith - will you destroy it, or will you renew it?"

Wow! Simple yet profound. One can easily make the 'right' choice - of course, of renewing it. But how?!?!?!?! If you are found to be that living descendant - are you ready to follow Christ - is what it more or less asks. See, to live like Christ is the most daunting task. Lineage does not spell inheritance or passport to heaven. Salvation is done and accorded alone by the Lord, our Saviour. It didn't matter if you hold several allegiances or palaces or countries. Did you do enough to love your neighbors as yourself?

The bishop who was supposed to be protecting the Holy Grail was in argument with an aging bishop. He said something to this effect -

We are not a group of people who exercise our faith cafeteria style. We follow the church doctrines and traditions. We need to defend our faith.

Hmmm... cafeteria - because we only choose what we believe in? We only practice what we think should be right for us? That line was very Opus Dei - and wow, how great is that! But really, in my small mind, I wonder - I think the wisdom and examples left by the Lord is summed up in one thing: LOVE. (...and the greatest of this is LOVE, remember?)

The following of His Father's will.... love.
The washing of His disciple's feet... love.
The carrying of the Cross....love.
The silence of the Lord before Pontius Pilate...love (of the Father). He could have easily defended himself and spew out the greatest wisdom ever told - but He kept quiet. Because the will of the Father is primordial. LOVE.
The dying on the Cross...love.

Da Vinci Code is by no means a Gospel proclamation but I don't think it creates a lot of noise in terms of attacking our faith. Because, if you are understanding how our lives are shaping right now, even the Church is not perfect because the people who run it are HUMANS and human is not perfect.

But, we believe in the Founder and Cornerstone of the Church - Jesus Christ and in all our imperfections, He truly loves us. And we believe in that.

Watch with an open mind. And heck, even if the insinuations are true (that there were lots of other Gospels written but they were not approved - like that of Mary Magdalene and Philip) - even to the most radical one that Christ must have fathered a baby thru Magdalene, I'd say, so what?!?!?!? Then, I'd really think that the Lord then has been truly human (lots of people will relate to this IF IT'S TRUE) yet DIVINE because He opted to follow the Father's will and resurrrected on the 3rd day. (There was no reference to the resurrection - which we knew from Salvation History and ethics was another reference to His divinity).

God is Love and I'm sure He did not wish to draw attention to his life; rather, He wishes us all to be united with Him in His Father's house.

So, get over it and don't waste your time arguing. It's a movie. If people question, good. At least, they are 'thinking'. But, if you do have a strong faith - then, this movie should not shock your system. It's ONLY a MOVIE.

And my rating: 8 out of 10.