~Compassion

Father Flynn: Where is your compassion?
Sister Aloysius: Nowhere you can get at it.

~dialogue from Doubt (PG-13) 

When it comes to acting performances, Meryl Streep & Philip Seymour Hoffman deliver in Doubt. It certainly doesn't hurt that these are two of my favorite actors. In this film they both put forth the type of performance which reminds me why I enjoy their talents so much. Doubt is powerful and worthy of all the awards it is being nominated for. If you enjoy stellar acting, then I highly recommend you see Doubt.

Being as this film is in a religious setting, there are plenty of quotes to pick out and tear apart. I chose this dialogue because I think it strikes a chord in our society today. Certainly we all have some level of compassion within us, but far too often that compassion is buried deep within us, never to be seen by the outside world and certainly not towards someone in need. This must change for all of us, but especially for those of us who choose to call ourselves Christians. If we say we follow Christ, compassion must be at the forefront^(a) of our lives... if not, we are dishonoring the name that which we bear.

Our compassion should be obvious to those around us, not hidden under a bushel basket. I don't think this really spoils the film as the previews even show this, but it's obvious the question Father Flynn asks is directed right at the heart of what I'm talking about here. In Sister Aloysius' case, she chose to throw compassion to the wind, along with the facts, and ruthlessly went after Father Flynn. Certainly she had her suspicions, but then... well, there were doubts... thus the film's name. Anyway, I did not want to get to writing about her intentions, I am highlighting the fact that she admits her compassion is there, she just has chosen to keep it from Father Flynn.

You have compassion, don't keep it hidden... show it to others.^(b,c)

a: Mark 1:41, b: Ephesians 4:32, c: Colossians 3:12

(thought history)