At long last I was finally able to see Of Gods and Men, the award winning French film from 2010 that is in limited release in the US now. This is the amazing film story, based on real people and real events, of Trappist monks living in a monastery in rural Algeria, serving the local villagers and living in community with them as well as with each other. As the storm of the Algerian war gathers around them they are threatened by Islamist militants and suspected by corrupt military officials, and prudence and common sense would direct them to flee. But as we see them grapple with this decision, we are privy to quiet ruminations on what it means to belong to God and do his work in the world. At one point one of the monks reminds another that their mission "is to be brothers to all." And we see them sustained by the daily and seasonal liturgies and practices that are rich in meaning and steeped in truth. As someone drawn to ancient and historic Christian practice, I found these scenes moving and beautiful. See it if you can.
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