I love this movie...

One of my favorite movies is on again tonight.  I can't tell you how many times I've seen it, it truly will never get old.  The movie I'm talking about is Stigmata, starring Patricia Arquette and David Byrne.  I think Mr. Byrne is so hot, by the way.  I'm sure you have all heard of it so I won't bore you with the details.  I love this movie so much for many reasons - it stirs some interesting thoughts and feelings in me.  For one, the movie appeals to the feminist in me, with this quote -"The messenger is not important." It doesn't matter whether the "Message" comes out of the mouth of a woman or man.  I don't believe God discriminates, so why should we?  Still on the subject of the role of women, in the scene where Frankie invites Father Kiernan to lay next to her in the bed, she says, "I won't bite, not unless you want me to!"  Is it such a sin for a man to lay next to a woman, even if it's non-sexual in nature.  How did we get so far from genuinely caring and offering comfort to another in need? 
Next on the list is the role of the church and priest.  I do believe that the church offers community and support to strengthen our faith by numbers.  But the church is not the building, but the people.  The priest for me serves in a role of shepherd.  He is a guide and a resource for what I may have difficulty understanding since he has made his life's work studying the Word.  What neither of them are, is my line to God.  He is human as I, so I don't see how his prayer is more important than mine, nor that his will be heard and not mine.  The priest's and the church's status does not trump mine.  I believe in a God that is big, big enough to share, and big enough to accomodate us all.  He made us all different, so our perspective and way we relate will be different per the individual. 
Throughout the movie, Father Kiernan grows closer and closer to Frankie.  One could say, he falls in love with her.  But the love is quite beautiful and innocent.  As it was meant to be.  It's not necessary to be celibate to have a superior experience from God.
But the part of the movie that gets me every time, is one of the last scenes.  The bedroom is on fire, Father Kiernan speaks to Father Alameda asking to release Frankie.  Frankie then whispers "Jesus said... the Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood... and I am there, lift a stone... and you will find me. "
More beautiful words have never been spoken...