Fully Alive in Christ

I watched the new release of "Pinocchio" today. It has actually been a very long tome since I had seen it last. During one of the scenes I was particularly struck and bothered. It's the scene where Pinocchio and his new friend are on "Pleasure Island." The little boys who are brought there are transformed into donkeys and then used for labor once the last trace of their humanity has vanished. This fate almost claims Pinocchio, until his conscience is able to rescue him - yet again - from the depths of this despair.

This Disney film presents us with a great foil for our Christian journey. Pinocchio, through his original disobedience, finds himself imprisoned by the wicked Stromboli. He lies to the Blue Fairy as to how he ended up there, and he learns that a lie "grows and grows until it is as plain as the nose on [his] face." When he is freed, he and Jiminy Cricket have to plunge into the sea (the waters of Baptism?) in order to escape. Once freed, Pinocchio can return to the father, Gepetto.

Before he can, though, he is caught up again by temptation and taken off to Pleasure Island, where - without a conscience - he indulges in all sorts of vices, along with the other boys there. This indulgence leads the boys - who don't feel "imprisoned" - to slowly lose who they are and become donkeys - symbolic of slow-wittedness and stupidity. As I said, Jiminy saves Pinocchio from this fate, and he can continue his return to Gepetto.

Upon his arrival at home, however, they find that Gepetto is not there. He has gone looking for his little wooden boy and managed to be swallowed by a whale. The Blue Fairy's note informs them of this, and Pinocchio must gather his courage and seek out his father. This journey reminds me of the courage and strength that comes along with Confirmation. We are strengthened to face adversity to our faith and journey ever more resolutely to the Father. Even after saving Gepetto from the whale, that danger continues to pursue them - reminding us that the struggle of faithfulness is never a one-time deal. It is a life.

In the end, Pinocchio's journey leads him to realize his fullest potential: to be truly human. For us, this is our journey too. We seek to be fully alive in Christ. St. Irenaeus noted that "the glory of God is man fully alive." Therefore, we cut the strings that hold us back from that realization of our humanity, always letting our conscience be our guide, and we finally realize the life that the Father intends for each one of us.