Mrs. Lynde says acting is a sin

“Ruby, keep quiet. You’re spoiling the effect. Besides, this is hundreds of years before Mrs. Lynde was born.”

Although I’m not sure that the fact the Lady of Shalott predated Mrs. Lynde is a logical argument for its ethical superiority, still Anne was right. Ruby was spoiling the effect.

I’m reminded of this scene from one of my favorite movies because Easter is coming up this weekend. And as an actor at a church that likes to foster the talents of artists for the glory of God, I get to contribute to a cool event on Good Friday. At least for one scene, for part of the time, and possibly without even showing my face, I’ll be Jesus.

I had never wanted to play Jesus for any other production at any church that I can remember. But this year I put my name in the hat for this one small part ‘cause I felt I could contribute something meaningful. Like Miss of Green Gables, I want to create an effect. I think that it might impact someone to see and consider a scene acted out before them in a way that a sermon or homily couldn’t. Now I don’t think that’s an overly righteous or lofty goal. But as the day nears, I’m wondering how I’m gonna pull it off, how I’m gonna imitate Christ, and how that sits with my conscience.

I had no trouble playing Satan in my high school’s modern version of John Milton’s Paradise Lost. My parents and teachers seemed kind of concerned that I might somehow open myself up to evil spiritual influences or something, but I wasn’t really phased. It was probably in part because I wasn’t trained and didn’t know how to really take on a character. It was more like a dramatic reading then really acting.

But now I’m afraid that it would be too proud for me to assume that I can take on the mindset or character of the Son of God. I guess I feel like I’d be getting too close to something too holy. I think director Mel Gibson and lead actor Jim Caviezel felt the same as they created the Passion of the Christ. They went to mass and took communion every day. But I wonder, would that make me worthy enough to be Christ? Would it make me humble enough that God would forgive my atrocious impression of him? Or is that enough penance to atone for possible sacrilege? I don’t think so. But I also don’t think there’s anything I can do to be that holy.

I think God understands that I’m just me. I think he and I are both keenly aware that I’m not Christ. So I think he appreciates my attempt to create an effect. It’s meant to draw people closer to him, and it’s ‘cause I think he’s the greatest. I guess so long as we all keep in mind that I’m not, in fact, the Lamb of God, then I think it’s okay for me to be as real as I can be in my acting. It’s still just kind of scary.

So I’m not sure that Mrs. Lynde really knew what she was talking about. But Marilla was right when she said to Anne, “You need a little religion in your life as bad as you need fattening up.” It’s just that religion can be dangerous if you think it’ll make you holy enough for something, or if it’s a substitute for an actual relationship with Jesus, or if it’s so stuffy as to forbid a little action on the stage.