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Gospel, The

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Source: Catholic News Service

Elevating if melodramatic redemption drama about a preacher's son (Boris Kodjoe) who returns home after 15 years -- putting his temptation-filled success as a chart-topping hip-hop artist on hold -- to mend fences with his estranged father (Clifton Powell), who is terminally ill, and his childhood friend (Idris Elba), who's been named his father's successor at the church, and to make peace with himself and his past. Despite an undernourished script padded with roof-raising gospel music numbers, director Rob Hardy's contemporary reimagining of the prodigal son parable movingly explores themes of family, faith, forgiveness, flawed humanity and God's unconditional love. An implied sexual encounter, mature themes, brief fisticuffs, a bump-and-grind dance sequence and some mildly crude language, making it better suited for older adolescents. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested.

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Paulinus of Nola: Anyone who is praised in the letters of six or seven saints undoubtedly must be of extraordinary character. Such a person was Paulinus of Nola, correspondent and friend of Augustine(August 28), Jerome (Sep[tember 30), Melania, Martin (November 11), Gregory (September 3) and Ambrose (December 7).
<p>Born near Bordeaux, he was the son of the Roman prefect of Gaul, who had extensive property in both Gaul and Italy. Paulinus became a distinguished lawyer, holding several public offices in the Roman Empire. With his Spanish wife, Therasia, he retired at an early age to a life of cultured leisure. </p><p>The two were baptized by the saintly bishop of Bordeaux and moved to Therasia’s estate in Spain. After many childless years, they had a son who died a week after birth. This occasioned their beginning a life of great austerity and charity, giving away most of their Spanish property. Possibly as a result of this great example, Paulinus was rather unexpectedly ordained a priest at Christmas by the bishop of Barcelona. </p><p>He and his wife then moved to Nola, near Naples. He had a great love for St. Felix of Nola, and spent much effort in promoting devotion to this saint. Paulinus gave away most of his remaining property (to the consternation of his relatives) and continued his work for the poor. Supporting a host of debtors, the homeless and other needy people, he lived a monastic life in another part of his home. By popular demand he was made bishop of Nola and guided that diocese for 21 years. </p><p>His last years were saddened by the invasion of the Huns. Among his few writings is the earliest extant Christian wedding song.</p>

Evangelization should be a call to deepen understanding among practicing Catholics; re-evanglize those who are Catholic in name only; reconcile those who have stopped practicing their faith; form children into disciples; invite other Christians to know the Church’s message; and call to conversion those who have no faith.

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