“Invictus” and the truth at the core of Christmas

December 18th, 2009 by Christopher Foster

It matters not how strait the gate/How charged with punishments the scroll/ I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul. — W.E. Henley

JoAnn and I saw “Invictus” the other day. What a gift. My thanks to the director, Clint Eastwood.  Invictus” (Latin for “unconquered”) is the name of a short poem written by an Englishman, William Ernest Henley, in 1875. The poem helped give Nelson Mandela the strength to handle the vicissitudes of his life.

The movie portrays most beautifully the timeless truth that if we stay true to our integrity, our own true character, we will find freedom even in harsh or difficult circumstances.

Morgan Freeman, as Mandela, does a wonderful job of portraying that gentle, yet strong character that is the birthright of every one of us. It brings him through his years in prison. It gives him the moral strength to forgive those who had mistreated him and tried so hard to break his spirit.  

Matt Damon is also superb as the young white South African rugby captain who, inspired by Mandela’s example, helps him unite his countrymen and bring peace to a fragile land by winning the rugby World Cup for South Africa.

One of the most touching scenes, for me, was when Matt Damon and his team visited the infamous prison where Mandela spent 27 years of his life.

As the young rugby captain looks out of a window at a bleak, deserted area we see a flashback in which Mandela, in convict clothes, is splitting a large rock. Bowed, swinging his pick, he stops and looks up for a moment at the watcher in the window.

Personally, I think this was a great time to release this movie.

Christmas means different things to different people. But for me, the truth portrayed in ”Invictus” is the same truth at the core of Christmas. Just as there was Love and Forgiveness in Jesus, so there is Love and Forgiveness in us. Just as Jesus stayed true to the inviolable Truth at the core of his own being – so may we.

Thank you for reading my blog. I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy and Blessed Christmas.

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