Fr Jeremy's Topic - Maidenhead Advertiser 4th April 2025
One of my favourite films is ‘Good Will Hunting.’ Will Hunting is a genius (Played by Matt Damon) and early in the film he solves a complex mathematical equation while working as a cleaner in a college. Will has been deeply hurt in his childhood and does not trust people. He is headstrong and facing a jail sentence until he is offered the chance to receive help from a therapist. (Robin Williams) In a famous scene called the ‘Park Bench’ Sean Maguire (therapist) points out the difference between knowing something as a fact of knowledge as against living life in all its fulness.
Maguire says ‘you will know all there is to know about Michelangelo, but have you experienced the Sistine Chapel? You will tell me about your favourite females, but have you woken up next to a woman and felt truly happy. If I asked you about war, you would quote Shakespeare, but you’ve never held your best friend’s head in your lap and watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help.’ You don’t know about real loss until you love someone more than yourself. As the film develops Will Hunting learns to live life seeking the one, he loves and finding the vocation that will challenge him.
Street Kids Direct charity based in Guatemala helps get children off violent streets and hopefully into education. One girl called Saida was rejected by her family and made to work on the streets. Saida had a dream though and thanks to the charity she has studied hard at school and will start university to study as a doctor next year.
There is a story in John’s gospel of a woman who is forgiven by Jesus having committed adultery and then challenged to find a new life. This story begins Lent and the climax is Easter resurrection when people are forgiven to lead new and transformed life.
Jeremy Harris, vicar of All Saints, Boyne Hill