So I am not quite as far as I should be in the book yet, but I had to force myself to stop. Very few books make me want to hate a character as much as I dislike Rodriguez. Vain, selfish in so many ways, he makes me want to jump into the story and put the fear of God in him. For the creative purposes of the story I can where Endo needed to put parallels between the priest and Christ. You cannot have a story about persecution without first discussing the one who paid the ultimate price first. Rodriguez as an "apostatizing Christ" figure, Kichijiro as the Judas Iscariot character, and Inoue would be Pilate/ the devil putting him through the ringer; it makes for an outstanding story.
My props, however, have to go to Mokichi and Ichizo. These two are a fine example of what a Christian should be in the face of death. Sure, initially they lied in order to try and protect themselves and their village. Yet, in the end, the roots of their faith were so deep and pure that they gave it all for the Savior who had redeemed them.
As we read this story, the silence of God is the ever-present theme. Why doesn't God answer the cries of His people? Why does He not save them? The answer my friends is that He already has. He is always watching and always speaking, but we must watch and listen well.
"And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." -1 Kings 19: 11-13
P.S. I commented on Zelda and Natalie's posts
My props, however, have to go to Mokichi and Ichizo. These two are a fine example of what a Christian should be in the face of death. Sure, initially they lied in order to try and protect themselves and their village. Yet, in the end, the roots of their faith were so deep and pure that they gave it all for the Savior who had redeemed them.
As we read this story, the silence of God is the ever-present theme. Why doesn't God answer the cries of His people? Why does He not save them? The answer my friends is that He already has. He is always watching and always speaking, but we must watch and listen well.
"And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." -1 Kings 19: 11-13
P.S. I commented on Zelda and Natalie's posts
I can understand the frustration felt towards Rodriguez's flaky struggle, however I cannot criticize him for it either. I think that Endo writes well the struggle of humanity as Christ followers through Rodriguez's journey. He wrestles with a self-righteous mindset. Is this not the thing that keeps him from apostatizing (at least thus far)? He is held to the expectation of his priesthood rather his zeal for the Lord. But is this not only because he has felt a complete and utter void from his Savior and God? This novel challenges me greatly in my humility. Put myself in Rodriguez's shoes, where would I stand? This is a grave reflection to have. "So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last." This is the way of the kingdom of God. May God remind me of my need of him in my lowest of moments.
ReplyDelete