Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ was so powerful that a number of those involved turned to Christ during its filming. One of those was the actress Sabrina Impacciatore who played the part of Veronica, the woman who steps out of the crowd to wipe Jesus’ blood-stained face as he makes his way to the cross.
Brought up a Catholic Sabrina had long since stopped practising her faith. Her part required her to look at Jesus, say the words, ‘Lord, permit me’ and then wipe his face and offer him a drink. It is a tender moment in the midst of great brutality. With the jostling crowd it was a difficult scene to capture and required twenty takes to get right. Gradually Sabrina felt that she was no looking into the eyes of an actor but those of Jesus himself and her heart began to soften. She realised that Jesus had suffered because he loved her, and that his words from the cross, ‘Father, forgive them’ included her. Her faith came alive and she returned to following Jesus.
As we remember once again the suffering and death of Jesus may our hearts, like Sabrina’s, be softened. He loves us, He died for us and He rose again for us.
