I Have Called You By Name
The Chosen (Season One, Episode One)
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be writing some thoughts and reflection questions for each episode of the TV show, The Chosen. I hope you’ll join me for this spiritual journey and pray that you’ll be open to hear what God might be wanting to communicate to you through this show! :)
DEMONS
I’ll have to admit, the first episode of The Chosen is a little tough to get into right away since the show has to introduce you to the characters and overall plot, and naturally, you might have immediate questions. Who are these individuals, and how are they all connected? Keep watching, and I promise you that it’ll all make sense! :) We’re first introduced to a young girl and her father in the very beginning of this episode, who are having a conversation in Magdala around 2 B.C.. At first, simply because of the location of this scene, I assumed that the girl in this flashback, and the woman living in the city of Capernaum 28 years later, is Mary of Magdala (or Mary Magdalene), but instead, we discover that this character goes by the name of Lileth. Interesting enough, I learned that “Lileth” is a figure in Jewish mythology, who, according to Wikipedia, “may relate in part to a historically earlier class of female demons in ancient Mesopotamian religion.” A fitting name choice then for this character given her circumstances, don’t you think? It is very clear that this “lower class” woman has had quite the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey throughout her life. We learn that she is tormented by demons, was raped, potentially attempted to murder a man, potentially involved in prostitution, turned to alcohol as a solution to her problems, and even considered suicide. While all of these things might not be 100% historically accurate for this specific Biblical character, it definitely paints the picture of someone who is at their lowest of lows, rejected by society, and even feeling unworthy of being authentically loved. Now, what was interesting to me was the juxtaposition of Matthew’s character, another character that we are slowly introduced to in this episode. Here, you have someone of “higher class.” A tax collector, who has a beautiful home, beautiful clothes, multiple pairs of the same expensive shoes, expensive perfume, multiple servants, etc. This luxurious lifestyle comes at a price though, as he is despised by everyone in the city, disowned by his own family, and constantly living on edge, worried about being attacked by those who are angry with him and his unjust profession. In a way, Matthew is consumed with his own “demons,” but those of power, wealth, loneliness, etc. He seems trapped in this lifestyle, and while it can certainly seem ideal and luxurious on the outside, it is really unsatisfying and sad on the inside, as he is completely isolated from any friends or family because of his chosen profession. And yet, he continues to double lock his door, to fear for his life the moment he leaves his home, and to show up on time to work day after day. These two characters’ stories model for me what “demons” can look like for an individual living in the modern world: very obvious and physical and/or more hidden and abstract. Regardless, both of these characters’ experiences challenged me to think about what my own demons are, or those things that I’m struggling with and feel consumed by. Perhaps deep insecurity about never being enough? Perhaps anger towards God because of seemingly unanswered prayers? Perhaps distractions from participating fully in virtual Mass or personal prayer time? Perhaps even a combination of all three... We must name and identify our demons so that we can seek healing from them.
THE EMBRACE
Building up Lileth’s pit of despair is absolutely necessary for this episode for two reasons. One, she needs to be seen as “past the point of no return” through the eyes of Nicodemus and the other religious leaders. Even Nicodemus himself says “only God can save her,” which will be important in the next episode. Two, this unique character’s development heightens the climax of this episode --- the encounter with Jesus, where he calls out her name (her real name), “Mary of Magdala.” This scene gave me goosebumps and brought me to tears. There are so many elements in this brief scene that stood out to me, including finally seeing Jesus (he’s the main and most important character in this show after all), finally identifying who this woman was (Mary), seeing Mary’s reaction upon hearing her real name (which we can assume she’s told no one after adopting the new identity), hearing the Scripture verse that was repeated to her as a child (“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name. You are Mine.” - Isaiah 43:1), and seeing her reaction to someone looking at her with a loving gaze that she’s probably never experienced before (at least not since her tender childhood moments with her father). But the part which triggered my emotions the most was Mary’s brief movement after Jesus heals her. It is so quick and subtle that you might miss it if you aren’t watching carefully. As soon as Jesus heals Mary, she completely collapses into his arms -- a sign of complete surrender. What an embrace!!!!! I found myself immediately desiring that embrace and joyously remembering that times when I have felt it. I also asked myself why I didn’t feel like I could totally surrender myself to God right now and reflected on what was holding me back. My prayer was “Lord, I miss you, and I desperately want to feel your embrace again. I surrender myself to you,” and it was this split second on the show that ignited that within my heart. Jesus is always there waiting with open arms, but are we ready to fall into his embrace?
EPISODE ONE REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
~What are your current “demons” (AKA: anything you feel consumed by, or anything causing you to reject or turn your back on God)?
~When is a time that you’ve felt God call you by name? What was that experience like? Have you heard God calling your name recently (hint: He calls it out every day, but we might not always be listening or respond)?
~When is a time that you’ve felt Jesus’ embrace? Have you felt it recently? If not, why not?
~What is preventing you from completely surrendering to God?
To watch all eight episodes of season one for free, download The Chosen app on Apple or Android mobile devices.
If you end up loving the show and want to “pay it forward” to help fund season two, you can either make a donation in the app and/or purchase the season one DVD set for yourself or friends/family.
