“The Island”
April 6, 2008 at 3:20 am (Orthodoxy, movies)
I just watched the Russian film “The Island.” The main character is an old sailor (Fr. Anatoli) who washed up upon the shore of a remote Russian monastery. He’s a bit of a fool for Christ but people visit him to be healed, to the vexation of some of the more conventional monks on the island. The best scene is the one where Fr. Anatoli nearly chokes his abbot to death with a smokey fire to show him that his (the abbot’s) life is choked with many comforts. The great thing was that the abbot got the message and thanked him. Fr. Anatoli heals people and even casts out a demon, using only the prayers that we all say every night from our own prayer books. We all can be Fr. Anatoli.
Fr. Anatoli’s job at the monastery was hauling coal, using a delapidated wheelbarrow. He did this as unto the Lord. It reminded me of the book An Ordinary Man by Paul Rusesabagina. This is the book upon which the movie “Hotel Rwanda” was based. Paul R. saved over 1000 souls from the Rwandan Genocide by being a good hotel manager. When asked about his bravery he always replied “I’m just a hotel manager.”
I think we spend a lot of time worrying what God’s will is for us. Do people still use that old evangelistic come-on “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life?” How much time has been wasted trying to discern what God’s will is for our lives? Just do the job you have to the glory of God and you will be in His will- no need to search further. Pray, worship, and love your neighbor and you will be in God’s will, even if your job is hauling coal or managing a hotel. As Blessed Augustine said- Love God and do what you want.
linnea said,
April 6, 2008 at 3:49 am
I like this…
“Just do the job you have to the glory of God and you will be in His will- no need to search further.”
…something to remind myself of daily
Xenia said,
April 6, 2008 at 3:51 am
Linnea! My first commenter.
I feel like I should offer you some tea. God bless you.
dusty said,
April 6, 2008 at 4:19 am
Hi Xenia,
Sounds like a good movie.
Nice place you have here. I will be sure to stop by often.
Xenia said,
April 6, 2008 at 5:00 am
Your presence is a blessing, Dusty.
nomansapologist said,
April 6, 2008 at 6:22 am
Great review Xenia
I will look for it to watch.
Your sight is beautiful, organic and rich.
It represents you well.
Humbly submitted
Norman
nomansapologist said,
April 6, 2008 at 6:24 am
Oops! I used the wrong email and defiled your beautiful page with my “Oprah the anti-christ” gravitar…
sister christian said,
April 6, 2008 at 6:36 am
Xenia,
Our missionary friends from Hong Kong just told us about Hotel Rwanda,
and now you have given this inspiring reveiw of “The Island” Sounds amazing!
Lord willing I will have the opportunity to watch it in the near future.
debd said,
April 6, 2008 at 11:14 am
Hi Xenia. This is my first time to your blog.
I loved your take on The Island and doing our work “as unto the Lord.”
God bless.
Xenia said,
April 7, 2008 at 2:15 am
Sister, if you happen to have a Netflix account you can watch “The Island” online for free.
Hi deb! I enjoy your blog- thanks for stopping by.
Norman, you and your avatars are as welcome as flowers in the springtime. Besides, it will remind us to pray for her.