Author: Kaitlin Scirri
A couple of years ago, Disney Pixar released an animated film titled Soul. The premise of Soul is that every soul transitions from existing in the spiritual world to the physical world and then ultimately back to the spiritual world after death. While it’s not a Christian film, it does touch on some Catholic beliefs including that each soul is unique and there is life beyond just the physical. The main soul in this film is soul number Twenty-Two. Twenty-Two enjoys being a soul and has to find a “spark,” a life’s passion, in order to be born on earth and become human. But Twenty-Two doesn’t want to go to earth and become human. Twenty-Two questions: Why go through with living life on earth if you’re eventually going to die and end up, in the case of this film, right back where you started as a soul? Ultimately, Twenty-Two poses the question, “Is all this living really worth dying for?”
My immediate response upon hearing this question was to yell, “Yes! Jesus!” much to the confusion of non-Christians around me. See, since my conversion to Catholicism, I view the world through a different lens. Even something like my take on an animated film is informed by my faith.
Twenty-Two was right about some things. Life is a lot to handle. It is joyous yet also sad. People are flawed. We get hurt and we often hurt others in return. Our world is a broken world. Yet, God still chose to become human. For Jesus, all this living is worth dying for.
Maybe this hasn’t been the best Lent for you. Maybe you’ve broken a fast or given in to a chocolate craving. Maybe you’ve neglected your prayer life or didn’t attend Mass every day as planned. That’s okay. Lent isn’t about checking off boxes. It’s about growing closer to our Lord. One of the most beautiful parts of our Catholic faith is the gift of Reconciliation. If you’ve messed up, Jesus invites you to go to confession, receive forgiveness and healing, and simply start again.
Twenty-Two was on a quest to find a “spark,” a passion that would make life worth living and dying for. If you get discouraged this Lent or any time during your faith journey, just remember that for Jesus, that spark is you, and all your living is worth dying for.