A Religious Response to Slumdog Millionaire

Yesterday, I posted a political response to my experience with Slumdog Millionaire.
Today, I wanted to post a religious/spiritual response.

Love Finds A Way

I know that some may find it a bit silly that I cling to the notion that “Love covers a multitude of sins,” but as we see in Slumdog, it can. The main character Jamal endlessly pursues Latika, even though she’s been abused and used- even though she’s been violated and tossed around like some prize to be won- even though she flat out tells him that she wants something “more” and that it’s a fools dream to believe that love is really all they need.

There's something about the relentless pursuit of love that draws us into the story- allowing us weep over the heroes hardships and cheer over his successes. Perhaps it's because we all want to be pursued the same way- we all want to know that there's someone, somewhere that's willing to go through hell just to stand by our side.

It's basically the same story as Finding Nemo, Wallie, and every other fairy tale where the hero will do anything to be reunited with his love. It's the prodigal son and the parable of the lost sheep. And all of these stories are really about Christ. Capturing in story a metaphor regarding the pursuit of the Bride and His love for the Church (and humanity).

Time and time again, the people of God are referred to as prostitutes, adulterers, widows, mourners, oppressed, marginalized, villainous, depraved-

and loved nonetheless.

I think the real beauty of a film like Slumdog Millionaire (and the Christian Narrative) is that no wrong is too big to forgive and no pain is too great to separate us from the one who loves us.

Love will find a way.
Love wins.

So as Jamal persists, despite everything that’s thrown his way and sacrifices everything he’s got in order to find her and woo her back to him, I think his (fictional) story connects to our own. And as we long for someone to pursue us, I hope that it unites our hearts with the One who DOES pursue us relentlessly.