Movie Review: Joker 2: Folie A Deux

Joker Folie a deux

"Joker: Folie à Deux" has been one of the most anticipated sequels in recent cinematic history, following the immense success of its predecessor. The film, directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has generated a whirlwind of opinions, from high praise to critical disappointment.

The sequel takes a bold step away from the dark, gritty atmosphere of the first film, venturing into the realm of musicals. This choice has been met with mixed reactions. Some critics have appreciated the innovative approach, highlighting Phoenix's performance as Arthur Fleck, who continues to navigate his complex psyche through a new lens. The use of music from The Great American Songbook and '60s pop adds a layer of depth to the character's journey, offering a unique perspective on his descent into madness.

However, not all feedback has been positive. Some reviews have described the film as "atrociously grim and boring," criticizing its inability to capture the theatrical flamboyance that made the original so captivating. Others have pointed out that while the film attempts to find an original place to land, it ultimately flounders, failing to match the provocative nature of its predecessor.

Box office numbers tell a story of their own, with "Joker: Folie à Deux" trying to keep tune with a substantial opening, indicating a strong interest from the audience despite the polarizing reviews. This suggests that while critics may not be unanimous in their opinions, the public's curiosity and the star power of Phoenix and Gaga have drawn viewers to theaters.

The film's exploration of Arthur Fleck's identity, both as a civilian and as the Joker, is a central theme. The decision to frame the sequel as a musical is arguably justified by Fleck's warped imagination, which could indeed envision his existence as part of a show. This creative choice allows the filmmakers to navigate the character's disturbed mind in a new and artistic way.

"Joker: Folie à Deux" has certainly left an indelible mark on its audience, with several scenes standing out for their emotional depth, narrative impact, and visual artistry. Here are some of the most memorable moments from the film:

1. Arthur's Illusion of Rationality: The film delves deep into Arthur Fleck's fragmented mind, showcasing his struggle between delusion and reality. A particularly striking scene is when director Todd Phillips uses a musical number to illustrate Arthur's distorted perception of rational thinking, a technique reminiscent of classic Hollywood musicals.

2. Arthur and Lee's Twisted Romance: The relationship between Arthur Fleck and Lee Quinzel is central to the narrative. Their romance, depicted through whimsical musical fantasies, provides a poignant look into Arthur's psyche as he clings to the hope of love amidst his legal battles.

3. The Courtroom Bombshell: In a climactic moment, Arthur makes a shocking confession during his trial, revealing his true identity and shattering the illusion of the Joker. This scene is a turning point for the character, as it leads to a literal explosion outside the courthouse, symbolizing the chaos that Arthur has both internalized and unleashed.

4. The Final Exchange: The film's conclusion is marked by a powerful exchange between Arthur and Lee, where the collapse of their relationship mirrors the demise of Arthur's Joker persona. This emotionally charged scene is a testament to the complex dynamics between the characters and the tragic trajectory of their story.

5. Arthur's Last Stand: Perhaps one of the most haunting scenes is the film's ending, where Arthur, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, meets a violent end. This moment is not only visually striking but also serves as a profound commentary on the character's journey and the consequences of his actions.

These scenes, among others, contribute to the film's lasting impact and its exploration of themes such as identity, love, and the fine line between sanity and madness. "Joker: Folie à Deux" challenges audiences with its bold storytelling and leaves them reflecting on the nature of its troubled protagonist. For those who have yet to see the film, these moments are just a glimpse into the complex tapestry that Todd Phillips and the cast have woven, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience.

In conclusion, "Joker: Folie à Deux" is a film that defies easy categorization. It challenges viewers with its unconventional approach to storytelling and its blend of genres. Whether it will stand the test of time as its predecessor has, remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: it has sparked a conversation about the boundaries of comic book adaptations and the artistic liberties filmmakers can take in reimagining beloved characters.  

This movie has destroyed the franchise of "Joker." It invalidates the first movie and makes it seem pointless. From the way it ended, it seems to present the idea that Arthur Fleck was never the Joker, but a prototype of the character. The real one seems to be the one who killed him while in prison. Unlike the first movie where the crowd I was with was silent and attentive to the move and later erupted in applause, today's audience simply left with disappointment on their faces. 

The movie seemed rushed and put together. They got several details wrong such as the murders Arthur Fleck committed. They number 5, excluding his adoptive mother, but also forgot the counselor the first movie briefly shows Arthur with in a white room and then ends with him leaving bloody footprints down the hall. Moreover, one of the jurors calls the region "New York" when it is supposed to be Gotham. It is needless to say that many are disappointed with this film. Perhaps the change at the DCEU brought about this abrupt end to this franchise in this manner. The acting is great, especially on the part of Joaquin Phoenix, but the storyline and how it was put together just did not flow. It was all over the place. The singing and dancing also made the movie feel strange and disconnected from the first film.  Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn also felt disconnected.  

This movie will surely be a flop at the box office and shows the disaster going on in DC. Joker was a great movie, this ruined it and ended the franchise abruptly. Arthur Fleck ended up as a weak coward with a possible mental illness.  The drama from the first film where he acquires confidence by donning the red suit and make up is gone and is pointless in hindsight of this new film. It truly makes no sense to make a film about someone who was never the Joker as an origin story for the Joker. Why not make a film about the actual Joker and his origin story? We are left with a film that tarnishes the Joker character as originating from adopting another person's persona.  From the looks of it, this is the end of the Joker franchise. 

It is not the acting or musical that is the problem. The problem is continuity to the first and relevance to DC. If Fleck was never the Joker, why even make a movie about him? This movie could have done well without it being linked to DC simply as a story about a mentally ill incel. However, people are upset because it built up something that was never there. The first film makes no sense now. It also turns the real Joker into a copycat of someone else's experience and life.

There will probably not be a part 3. The only way we can see one is if Arthur Fleck is still alive somehow. We can still see him breathing a bit as the scene cuts to the ending credits. It is also possible that this scene is a delusion in Arthur Fleck's mind. We saw throughout the film his delusions both in the first part and this part. In this part we see Harley Quinn portrayed by Lady Gaga shoot Joker in the stomach. It is possible that the ending scene may have been a delusion. However, based on interviews with the director, it seems this is truly the end and Arthur Fleck indeed died and he was never the Joker.  

In any event, I was truly looking forward to this sequel and was extremely disappointed.  The first film was so good and to have this sequel destroy it is unfortunate and upsetting. 

Ash Wednesday 2021

Today is Ash Wednesday the beginning of the season of Lent. Many reflections come to my mind, in particular, the humility we should aspire to live by.  It is also 2 days after St. Valentine's day, a day hijacked by secularism to reflect relationships.  More on this later.

During Ash Wednesday, we receive the ashes as a sign of repentance, humility, and reminder of our finite existence on Earth. The use of ashes is not new and can be found in Sacred Scripture: Esther 4:1, Job 42:6, and Daniel 9:3.

The ashes remind us of our state of this world.  "We are dust and to dust, we shall return" which comes from Genesis 3:19.  It is a reminder that we are not an end in ourselves.  Our lives, our successes, our education, in a word; our entire being returns to dust and ashes after death.  All that we were or could have been is reduced to a pile of ashes.  The whole thought is humbling.  The very word 'humbling' comes from 'humility.'  The word 'humility' comes from 'humus' which means 'dirt, soil or ashes from the Earth.'  The ashes placed on us should remind us of humility.  It should remind us that eventually, we will die and that life should be well spent, so to speak.  

We do not have all the time in the world so we must make good use of it in order to try our best to follow God's will.  As Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 states:  

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;"

God will call each one of us in due time. We will face judgment immediately after death as Hebrews 9:27 tells us, and there is no attorney nor can we make use of an alibi.  It is important that we try to do God's will and not waste our lives on sin and other vices that give the illusion of happiness or joy. Like the quote from the classic movie, "A Bronx Tale" produced by Robert De Niro states: "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent."  We all have the talents necessary along with God's grace in order to live a virtuous life and grow spiritually.  Ash Wednesday and Lent should remind us of this.

The ashes remind us of our finite state in this world. We are no almost a year from the onset of the alleged global pandemic of the covid-19 coronavirus.  This virus froze the world, literally.  Nations were and some still are on lockdown. Churches were shut down in many areas and still remain so. The Sacraments were denied to many.  It has been a disastrous period.  Let us not even forget the many deaths linked to this virus.  Covid-19 reminded us of our mortality perhaps more than ashes could ever do.  Life is short.  Covid-19 has reminded us day after day about this.  Many of us live in fear because of this virus.  We are stuck now wearing masks and performing sanitary rituals.  This is a sort of imposed Lent on all of us, Christian and non-Christian.  We should reflect on this.  

The popular Oscar-winning movie, "Joker" has a line where the Joker Arthur Fleck says, "I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it's a comedy."  Many times, we may see life as a tragedy. Some even take their lives because of this belief. Life is not a tragedy. In fact, it is a comedy of sort. If we sit down and think carefully, the things we get mad over or that we let bother us are tiny compared to life and our potentiality.  We are in control of our lives. Fasting and abstaining from meat remind us that we can give up anything in order to grow spiritually, even sustenance.  This shouldn't be a burden for 'man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word of God." (Matthew 4:4)  

As an atheist, existentialism was part of my frame of mind which states that all rests on the individual - we are an end in ourselves.  Ash Wednesday added to my way of thinking.  It reminded me that I am not an end in myself.  My intellectual reasoning ability, my knowledge, my talents, etc eventually will dissipate as I take my last breath.  This allowed me to consider that there has to be more to life, this couldn't be it on Earth.  However, this is a topic for another blog post.

Unfortunately, some Catholics rely on the external aspect of days like Ash Wednesday.  The "A&P Catholics" come to church on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday out of 'duty' or false piety and not a genuine search for God and discipline to grow more in Him.  Like the Pharisees, they do not internalize the symbolism behind the sacramentals given on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. Faith cannot become a mere "duty" or "obligation."  It must be a way of life.  The ashes on Ash Wednesday must not become a pagan ritual if you will.  There is nothing magical about the use of ashes. It does not have any powers.  They are just holy reminders of our mortality.   

I hope you attending Ash Wednesday Mass today or if you receive ashes during a service that you remind yourself that we must be humble.  We must remember that we are indeed 'dust and to dust, we shall return.'  Nothing will change this.  No advancements in science or medicine will make death a thing of the past.  The ashes should remind us that the hourglass is slowly emptying and that we must make every effort to use every precious second to grow spiritually in God's grace.  We will fall along the way, but God will help us get back up.

The first reading reminds us that we have to return to the Lord.  Our fasting, the ashes we receive, our abstaining from meat much have an internal meaning, the rending of our hearts.  God is merciful and gracious.  He waits for us to return to Him.  In this season of Lent, we must do our best to return to God. None of us are perfect.  We all sin. However, sin is not the end of the story.  Sin is the villain in our story that we have to defeat.  We can only do this by living a holy life of prayer and reception of the Sacraments. These bring about a greater representation of Christ in the world. We begin to love God and our neighbor more and more.  We start to gain the courage to face all trials.  Lent is a special time in the Church. We walk with Jesus in the desert, face temptation, and walk out victorious with Christ Jesus. 

The first reading reminds us of the need to ask God for mercy; to spare His people!  We receive the ashes as a reminder of our mortality. Humans are just dust and to dust, they shall return. Scientifically speaking, we are carbon-based lifeforms who are made of "stardust," as the late Carl Sagan famously stated. Our accomplishments, our intelligence, our capacity to reason should not make us feel pride as if we are gods on earth; we are not!  Nature is constantly reminding humanity that despite its accomplishments, a simple act of God can wipe everything away. The wildfires and losses of wildlife due to man-made activities that add to global warming remind us of how our pride will be our destruction.  As Scripture says, after pride, the fall comes (Proverbs 16:18).  Man thinks he can control the forces of nature and destroy the environment, but he is reminded time in and time out that God ordained nature to function in a certain way and if man interferes, he will suffer the consequences. Today, there is the fear of a pandemic that is taking hold. The Coronavirus or COVID19 is taking the world by storm. Is this divine justice, part of man-made global warming, or just nature doing its thing?  We may never know. However, the timing cannot be coincidental. Nevertheless, even this disease is reminding man that he is not an end to himself. The ashes today remind us of this. This is why we must repent and believe in the Gospel. 

We need mercy from God for we have sinned, as the responsorial Psalm says.  God is indeed mercy. There is no sin He will not forgive unless it is the sin against the Holy Spirit or the sin of not trusting in God's mercy and avoiding it. Only God can cleanse us of our sins and guilt. Only God can create a pure heart in us and a steadfast spirit. We must take this time during Lent to call on God to have mercy on us so that we can proclaim His praise.  The second reading tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ.  We represent Christ in our state in life to others.  Therefore, we must be holy and humble.  We must be full of love and mercy.  This can only be done if we are reconciled with God.  Jesus became the image of sin (human) but did not sin so that He could rescue us from sin.  We must not be ingrates and receive God's grace with humility and not vain. Ashes on our foreheads are not a trophy to show off to others.  They are a reminder that we are mere dust.  They give witnesses that we are nothing but dust before God and therefore must rely on Him and His mercy.

The Gospel today reminds us that our righteous deeds are not supposed to be for self-glorification or promotion. We must not "blow a trumpet" before ourselves in order to be looked upon as if we are religious celebrities. Instead, we must pray in private, do things in private whether it is giving to the poor or helping others.  In other words, we must not make a spectacle of our actions as if we need to be praised by others because we did well.  Praying and doing good must be directed towards God, not self-glorification. During Lent, we fast and abstain from meat. This may be hard for some of us. However, we must not walk around with gloomy faces so that others can see and focus on our misery as if we fast and abstain in order to feel pity from others or garner attention.  God will reward us for suffering in silence.  Joy has to be part of this as well. We do all of these sacrifices for a greater purpose which brings joy. During Ash Wednesday Mass in 2020 at my old parish St. Dominic in the Bronx, as I was distributing ashes. A father came carrying his baby girl. As I placed the ashes on her forehead, she gave me a stern look and grabbed my hand to take it away. We all laughed. It reminded me of what Jesus said about being like a child. We must be humble and not take ourselves seriously. Our fasting and abstinence must serve to make us stronger, not miserable, bitter, or neurotic.  

As mentioned previously, many in America and around the world also celebrate Valentine's day.  On this day, couples give each other chocolates, roses, cards, and whatnot.  Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our mortality and that we must repent.  We can repent and change because God wants us to and allows us to.  This is because He loves us.  God is love. God is the ultimate love.  Love finds its definition in God.  What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's day by repenting and accepting the Love of all Loves: Jesus Christ.

Take this time during Lent to refocus your attention on God. Do things for His honor and glory, not your own.  Wear the ashes as a witness to your mortality and as a witness to your conversion to Christ. Do not wear them in order to show off as if the ashes cry out "Hey!, I am a Catholic."  This is not what Ash Wednesday is about. Remember to be humble. We are just dust, not gods. Live your life to serve and love others.  In today's Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours, the reading tells us that God prefers service to others over ashes or rituals.  It says: "Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high. Is that the sort of fast that pleases me, a truly penitential day for men? Hanging your head like a reed, lying down on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks – to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin? Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over."  This is from Isaiah 58:1-12.  Let us not get caught up in ashes or rituals but put the significance of them into practice.   May Jesus Christ be praised!

Readings:  Ash Wednesday | USCCB

Ash Wednesday 2020

Today is Ash Wednesday the beginning of the season of Lent. Many reflections come to my mind, in particular, the humility we should aspire to live by.  It is also St. Valentine's day, a day hijacked by secularism to reflect relationships.  More on this later.

During Ash Wednesday, we receive the ashes as a sign of repentance, humility, and reminder of our finite existence on Earth. The use of ashes is not new and can be found in Sacred Scripture: Esther 4:1, Job 42:6 and Daniel 9:3.

The ashes remind us of our state of this world.  "We are dust and to dust, we shall return" which comes from Genesis 3:19.  It is a reminder that we are not an end in ourselves.  Our lives, our successes, our education, in a word; our entire being returns to dust and ashes after death.  All that we were or could have been is reduced to a pile of ashes.  The whole thought is humbling.  The very word 'humbling' comes from 'humility.'  The word 'humility' comes from 'humus' which means 'dirt, soil or ashes from the Earth.'  The ashes placed on us should remind us of humility.  It should remind us that eventually, we will die and that life should be well spent, so to speak.  

We do not have all the time in the world so we must make good use of it in order to try our best to follow God's will.  As Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 states:  

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;"

God will call each one of us in due time. We will face judgment immediately after death as Hebrews 9:27 tells us, and there is no attorney nor can we make use of any alibi.  It is important that we try to do God's will and not waste our lives on sin and other vices that give the illusion of happiness or joy. Like the quote from the classic movie, "A Bronx Tale" produced by Robert De niro states: "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent."  We all have the talents necessary along with God's grace in order to live a virtuous life and grow spiritually.  Ash Wednesday and Lent should remind us of this.

The ashes remind us of our finite state in this world. The popular Oscar winning movie, "Joker" has a line where the Joker Arthur Fleck says, "I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it's a comedy."  Many times, we may see life as a tragedy. Some even take their lives because of this belief. Life is not a tragedy. In fact, it is a comedy of sort. If we sit down and think carefully, the things we get mad over or that we let bother use are tiny compared to life and our potentiality.  We are in control of our lives. The fasting and abstaining from meat remind us that we can give up anything in order to grow spiritually, even sustenance.  This shouldn't be a burden for 'man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word of God." (Matthew 4:4)  

As an atheist, existentialism was part of my frame of mind which states that all rests on the individual - we are an end in ourselves.  Ash Wednesday added to my way of thinking.  It reminded me that I am not an end in myself.  My intellectual reasoning ability, my knowledge, my talents etc eventually will dissipate as I take my last breath.  This allowed me to consider that there has to be more to life, this couldn't be it on Earth.  However, this is a topic for another blog post.

Unfortunately, some Catholics rely on the external aspect of days like Ash Wednesday.  The "A&P Catholics" come to church on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday out of 'duty' or false piety and not a genuine search for God and discipline to grow more in Him.  Like the Pharisees, they do not internalize the symbolism behind the sacramentals given on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. Faith cannot become a mere "duty" or "obligation."  It must be a way of life.  The ashes on Ash Wednesday must not become a pagan ritual, if you will.  There is nothing magical about the use of ashes. It does not have any powers.  They are just holy reminders of our mortality.   

I hope you attending Ash Wednesday Mass today or if you receive ashes during a service that you remind yourself that we must be humble.  We must remember that we are indeed 'dust and to dust, we shall return.'  Nothing will change this.  No advancements in science or medicine will make death a thing of the past.  The ashes should remind us that the hourglass is slowly emptying and that we must make every effort to use every precious second to grow spiritual in God's grace.  We will fall along the way, but God will help us get back up.

The first reading reminds us that we have to return to the Lord.  Our fasting, the ashes we receive, our abstaining from meat much have an internal meaning, the rending of our hearts.  God is merciful and gracious.  He waits for us to return to Him.  In this season of Lent, we must do our best to return to God. None of us are perfect.  We all sin. However, sin is not the end of the story.  Sin is the villain in our story that we have to defeat.  We can only do this by living a holy life of prayer and reception of the Sacraments. These bring about a greater representation of Christ in the world. We begin to love God and our neighbor more and more.  We start to gain courage to face all trials.  Lent is a special time in the Church. We walk with Jesus in the desert, face temptation and walk out victorious with Christ Jesus.

The first reading reminds us the need to ask God for mercy; to spare His people!  We receive the ashes as a reminder of our mortality. Humans are just dust and to dust they shall return. Scientifically speaking, we are carbon based lifeforms who are made of "star dust," as the late Carl Sagan famously stated. Our accomplishments, our intelligence, our capacity to reason should not make us feel pride as if we are gods on earth; we are not!  Nature is constantly reminding humanity that despite its accomplishments, a simply act of God can wipe everything away. The wildfires and losses of wildlife due to man made activities which add to global warming remind us of how our pride will be our destruction.  As Scripture says, after pride, the fall comes (Proverbs 16:18).  Man thinks he can control the forces of nature and destroy the environment, but he is reminded time in and time out that God ordained nature to function in a certain way and if man interferes, he will suffer the consequences. Today, there is fear of a pandemic that is taking hold. The Coronavirus or COVID19 is taking the world by storm. Is this divine justice, part of man-made global warming or just nature doing its thing?  We may never know. However, the timing cannot be coincidental. Nevertheless, even this disease is reminding man that he is not an end to himself. The ashes today remind us of this. This is why we must repent and believe in the Gospel.

We need mercy from God for we have sinned, as the responsorial Psalm says.  God is indeed mercy. There is no sin He will not forgive unless it is the sin against the Holy Spirit, or the sin of not trusting in God's mercy and avoiding it. Only God can cleanse us of our sins and guilt. Only God can create a pure heart in us and a steadfast spirit. We must take this time during Lent to call on God to have mercy on us so that we can proclaim His praise.  The second reading tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ.  We represent Christ in our state in life to others.  Therefore, we must be holy and humble.  We must be full of love and mercy.  This can only be done if we ar reconciled with God.  Jesus became the image of sin (human) but did not sin so that He could rescue us from sin.  We must not be ingrates and receive God's grace with humility and not vain. Ashes on our foreheads are not a trophy to show off to others.  They are a reminder that we are mere dust.  They give witnesses that we are nothing but dust before God and therefore must rely on Him and His mercy.

The Gospel today reminds us that our righteous deeds are not supposed to be for self-glorification or promotion. We must not "blow a trumpet" before ourselves in order to be looked upon as if we are religious celebrities. Instead, we must pray in private, do things in private whether it is giving to the poor or helping others.  In other words, we must not make a spectacle of our actions as if we need to be praised by others because we did good.  Praying and doing good must be directed towards God, not self-glorification. During Lent, we fast and abstain from meat. This may be hard for some of us. However, we must not walk around with gloomy faces so that others can see and focus on our misery as if we fast and abstain in order to feel pity from others or garner attention.  God will reward us for suffering in silence.  Joy has to be part of this as well. We do all of these sacrifices for a greater purpose which brings joy. During Ash Wednesday Mass at my old parish St. Dominic in the Bronx, as I was distributing ashes. A father came carrying his baby girl. As I placed the ashes on her forehead, she gave me a stern look and grabbed my hand to take it away. We all laughed. It reminded me of what Jesus said about being like a child. We must be humble and not take ourselves seriously. Our fasting and abstinence must serve to make us stronger, not miserable, bitter or neurotic. 

As mentioned previously, many in America and around the world also celebrate Valentine's day.  On this day, couples give each other chocolates, roses, cards and what not.  The fact that both days collided this year is interesting and can be used as a reflection.  Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our mortality and that we must repent.  We can repent and change because God wants us to and allows us to.  This is because He loves us.  God is love. God is the ultimate love.  Love finds its definition in God.  What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's day by repenting and accepting the Love of all Loves: Jesus Christ.

Take this time during Lent to refocus your attention to God. Do things for His honor and glory, not your own.  Wear the ashes as a witness to your mortality and as a witness to your conversion to Christ. Do not wear them in order to show off as if the ashes cry out "Hey!, I am a Catholic."  This is not what Ash Wednesday is about. Remember to be humble. We are just dust, not gods. May Jesus Christ be praised!


Readings:  http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022620.cfm

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Faith Has the Final Laugh

Today's readings tell us about having faith.

In the first reading, we read of the prophet Habakkuk who is witnessing a tragedy in 7th century Judah before Christ. He is witnessing violence and ruin. As a result, he complains to God as to why he has to see this and why God does not intervene.  God simply says in response to write things down so that all can read it.  He describes the event as a vision that has "its time" and "presses on to fulfillment."  What this means is that God has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). God can bring good out of evil (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28). In today's world, we wonder many times why God allows evil. On the news, we see children being killed around the world in war, on the streets, and via abortion.

 In New York City, four homeless men were beaten to death as they slept, a woman's current boyfriend shot and killed her ex in front of their child, and a husband ran over his wife multiple times, then stabbed and hacked at her body with a machete.  We see tragedies in our own neighborhoods or cities. We see people become victims of crime; perhaps even ourselves. These bad things bring us to complain to God: "Why!?"  We get upset and shout either internally or maybe even externally, "Where are you!?" This is the typical human response because humans are finite creatures.  They can only see things based on their senses and perception of space and time. This brings about all kinds of anxieties. It can lead to doubting and even atheism. These doubts can make a person rebellious. He or she stops caring. Yesterday, I saw the Joker movie which touches on this. The famous villain from the Batman series is portrayed as a loner with mental illness who is bullied and taken advantage of. He questions why people have to be rude, nasty and bad. The world turned him into the villain that he became. While a work of fiction, the movie shows how hardships in life can turn people vengeful and bitter. We cannot allow this to happen to us. Life is not easy we often hear. This is because of the way man has set up life in society. We must live a life that way God intended.

Imagine if we knew the day we were going to die. Do you think we will live our lives carelessly or make rigid plans? The answer is no. We will try to live each day to the best of our ability because we already know that the hourglass is pouring away. Our perspective would change if we had the ability to know our expiration day beforehand, so to speak.  However, this is not how life works. We are conceived, born and grow. We do not know what will happen a minute from now, less when we will die. Only God knows these things (Psalm 139:2). Because we do not know, we worry. When we worry, we lose hope. When we lose hope, we lose faith; and when we lose these, we lose charity or love. Life then becomes a survival of the fittest contest where we believe in nothing and love no one but ourselves. This is why God tells Habakkuk, "The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live." We must have faith. We must trust God even in horrible times when it feels like God packed up His bags and went on vacation, so to speak (Psalm 37:5).

At all times, especially bad ones, we must look to Jesus for faith (Hebrews 12:2). We must not harden our hearts like the Jews did, as we are told in the Responsorial Psalm, which is used as the Gospel Canticle for Lauds or morning prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. Instead, we must sing to God joyfully and praise Him. At Mass and in our private prayer time, we bow and kneel before Him in prayer and worship. This is a gesture of humility before God. We surrender to God and let Him flood us with grace. Before God, we are "half" the person we think we are. The act of kneeling or bowing represents this physically. We cannot stand eye to eye, shoulder to shoulder with God. God and man are not equals. He is our God and we are His people, the flock He cares for, as the Psalm states. However, we must not do like the Hebrews at Meribaha where they challenged God (Exodus 17:7, Numbers 20:13).  While there, they denied God and questioned His care and omnipotence. We must not become ungrateful after witnessing in our lives the wonders God worked just like the Hebrews who saw great wonders and then doubted (Luke 7:9).

Our hearts cannot be hardened in times of desperation and trial. We must be the just one who perseveres (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11). God will not give us anything we cannot handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). The Spirit we have received from Him is not a cowardly one, as the second reading tells us.  This Spirit brings us to be patient and self-controlled. We bear things from the world and even from among each other in the Church. Because of this Spirit, we must be courageous and have faith (Matthew 8:26). We must not be ashamed of the Gospel nor scared to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. People may mock us, and they surely will, but we must bear it for the sake of the Lord (Matthew 10:18). God will not be mocked and those who denied Him or were ashamed of Him will have to face Him at death or the end of times (Matthew 10:33, Galatians 6:7).  God will never abandon us and promised to be with us until the end of time (Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28:20).  When you are mocked or persecuted for your Catholic faith, smile. Smile because you know you are doing the right thing. This world hates God, so it will never be on your side or the side of our Catholic Church (John 15:18-19). That being said, do not expect to be comfortable as a Catholic in this world.

Finally, in the Gospel, we read how the disciples ask Jesus for more faith. They do this because Jesus expected so much from them as you can see if you read the verses before verse 5. To their request, Jesus says that if they have the faith the size of a mustard seed, they would be able to tell mulberry trees to uproot themselves and plant themselves in the sea.  The trees would obey! Jesus was using hyperbole to make a point on how powerful faith is. The uprooting of trees means that any difficult challenge in our lives that may be rooted deep like a tree is not a permanent obstacle. It can be uprooted!  Mulberry trees can grow up to nearly 50 feet. I mention this to give some physical perspective of how big of an organism this is and which is not easy to move. St. John Chrysostom states "The mulberry may be also compared to the devil, for as by the leaves of the mulberry tree certain worms are fed, so the devil, by the imaginations which proceed from him, is feeding for us a never-dying worm; but this mulberry tree faith is able to pluck out of our souls, and plunge it into the deep (Quoted in Thomas Aquinas, Catena Aurea: Commentary on the Four Gospels, Collected out of the Works of the Fathers: St. Luke, ed. John Henry Newman, vol. 3 (Oxford: John Henry Parker, 1843), 581.)."  Jesus then tells the parable regarding servants and their proper place in the house of the master. He reminds them that no master tells his servants to come to eat with him after they have tended the sheep and plowed the field. Jesus is reminding the disciples and us today that the work of the vineyard of the Lord is not a simple chore that we do. We must earn our keep, so to speak. We must work hard in our spiritual lives before we can be invited by the Master to sit and eat with Him.  Our spiritual life is not something we start and end when we receive a Sacrament or go to Mass.  It is an ongoing process and maturation, learning and purification.

Our Protestant brethren who believe in the heretical view that one must simply accept Jesus and one is saved must really meditate on today's Gospel. Such a pretense to salvation is vanity (1 Corinthians 10:12). St. Ambrose says, "Know that you are a servant overwhelmed by very much obedience. You must not set yourself first, because you are called a son of God. Grace must be acknowledged, but nature not overlooked. Do not boast of yourself if you have served well, as you should have done. The sun obeys, the moon complies, and the angels serve.… Let us not require praise from ourselves nor prevent the judgment of God and anticipate the sentence of the Judge but reserve it for its own time and Judge ("Exposition on the Gospel of Luke 8.31-32", quoted in Arthur A. Just, ed., Luke, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 245.)." We must work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12). Faith without works is dead and does not save (James 2:14-26).  St. Cyril of Alexandria tells us, "But which of you having a servant ploughing or feeding cattle ... In the verses which precede a long and important discourse has been addressed to us by the Lord, to shew unto us the paths which lead unto honour, and to manifest the glories of the blameless life, that making progress therein, and advancing zealously unto whatsoever is admirable we may attain unto “the prize of our high calling” [Philippians 3:14]. But since it is the nature of the mind of man ever to be carried away unto vaingloriousness, and to be afflicted most readily with a tendency thereto; and since a pretext for this fault is often given by the being distinguished before God for some of the noblest virtues; and since it is a sin grievous and hateful unto God:—for the serpent, the author of evil, leads men sometimes into such a state of mind, as for them to imagine perhaps that God even owes them the highest honours, when their life is glorious and distinguished:—to draw us away from such passions, He sets before us the purport of the lessons which have just been read, teaching us thereby, under the form of an example, that the might of sovereign authority demands everywhere of its slaves subjection as a debt. For the lord, He says, will not acknowledge any gratitude to the slave, even if all that is due be done by him, according to what becomes the condition of a slave (A Commentary upon the Gospel to Saint Luke, Sermons CXIII-CXVI)."

We must respond to grace with faith and put that faith into action. Even faith the size of a mustard seed is efficacious. St. Augustine says "A mustard seed looks small. Nothing is less noteworthy to the sight, but nothing is stronger to the taste. What does that signify but the very great fervor and inner strength of faith in the church ("Sermon 246.3", quoted in Arthur A. Just, ed., Luke, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 267.)?"  We must have faith always. This faith will carry us a long way and will uproot those mulberry trees in our path to God. We grow in faith by prayer and listening to God in His Word (Romans 10:17). This word softens our hearts and brings us to put faith into practice by hoping and loving God and our neighbor (1 Corinthians 13:12-13).  Do not become like the Hebrews in the desert who hardened their hearts. Do not panic like Habakuk in times of trial nor be afraid (Revelation 2:10, Revelation 3:10). Instead, have faith in God.  Persevere and fight the good fight (Romans 12:12, Colossians 1:11-12, Galatians 6:9, James 1:12, 1 Timothy 6:12). In the end, faith has the last laugh.  May Jesus Christ be praised!   





Readings:  http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100619.cfm



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The Joker Movie

The "Joker" movie, released on October 4, 2019, directed by Todd Phillips and starring Puerto Rican actor Joaquin Phoenix, has been a subject of much discussion and analysis. It's a film that delves deep into the psyche of its protagonist, Arthur Fleck, and provides a dark and gritty character study that deviates from the typical superhero genre.

The movie presents a Gotham City that is rife with crime, corruption, and a growing chasm between the wealthy and the poor. Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian struggling with mental illness, is at the center of this chaos. His descent into madness and transformation into the titular Joker is portrayed with a raw intensity by Phoenix, whose performance garnered critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Actor.

"Joker" is not just a comic book movie; it's a social commentary on issues such as mental health, societal neglect, and the consequences of a world that pushes its outcasts to the brink. The film's dark tone and violent content have sparked conversations about the portrayal of mental illness and the potential impact on audiences.

The cinematography and score complement the film's somber mood, creating an immersive experience that's both unsettling and captivating. The narrative is a slow burn, gradually building tension and unease until it reaches its climactic moments of shocking violence.  The color tone of the movie begins with a bluish hue showing the depression Arthur Fleck is wallowing in. It then turn brighter throughout the movie showing his transformation into "Joker."  Throughout the film we can see a "countdown." Numbers are showing counting down to the main climax of the film.  Easter eggs are present. We see the apartment of Arthur Fleck indicate the number of Jokers that have been on screen. We see the yellow fireman pole from Batman near the young Bruce Wayne at his mansion. Phoenix in his masterful acting skills presents physical nuances of each Joker, from Romero to Heath Ledger.  We see behind Joker the image of Murray with half of it looking like Jack Nicholson's Joker from Batman 1989. A police carrying Joker has the tag number 9189 paying homage to the Batman movie. During the riots, we see a theater showcasing "Zorro," which is where Batman's creators got the idea from for the superhero. 

Critics have praised "Joker" for its bold approach and departure from the mainstream portrayal of comic book characters. It's a film that challenges viewers, asking them to empathize with a character who is traditionally seen as a villain. This perspective shift is one of the reasons "Joker" stands out in the landscape of comic book adaptations.

In conclusion, "Joker" is a film that will be remembered for its unflinching portrayal of a man's spiral into darkness. It's a character-driven piece that pushes boundaries and provokes thought, leaving a lasting impression on its audience. Whether viewed as a standalone piece or within the broader context of the DC universe, "Joker" is a cinematic experience that demands attention and reflection.  The film is a masterpiece!  The acting, cinemetography, music all work well together.  I remember at the theater it was so quiet one could hear a pin drop, so to speak. People were intensely paying attention to the film. At the end, everyone applauded in unison and rightfully so. The movie is extremely powerful. At times, we felt sorry for Joker and all the things he had to deal with.  The movie gave us a perspective many movies often neglect.  It was also fun seeing the Shakespeare steps, a place I know very well and that I use to walk up to Ogden Avenue in the Bronx.  Many places were filmed in the Bronx showing homage to the birthplace of Batman and the Joker.  This movie is a work of art. 

"Joker" Faces Judge

Today, "suspect A" faced a judge.  He seemed to look like he was in a daze or pretending to look mentally disturbed.  His rights were read to him and he will have to appear again next Monday.  Justice will be served.  Many speculate that the death penalty will be issued after all is said and done.

It is a shame that this young bright man threw his life away by committing this heinous act.  If it is true that he had personal troubles, he could have sought help instead of taking out his frustrations on innocent movie goers.


Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/23/james-holmes-court-appearance_n_1694948.html?133847348738&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmaing10%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D182864