The faith, and the face, that saves

The new movie about the World Trade Center attacks is out this weekend, and it is powerful. I thought it was too soon, and we weren’t ready for this, although the recent movie about flight 93 was already through its run and did okay.

Really, it’s just me. I can’t look at the news clips of that tragedy without tears, veteran journalist that I am. But this Oliver Stone movie is turning out to be a stunner, even for skeptics of his ability to handle it well in this still-tender period of time. Its portrayal of the faith of the two featured New York police officers is deeply moving and powerful. And acccurate.

Will Jimeno, whose story of survival in the 9/11 attacks is retold in the new Oliver Stone movie “World Trade Center,” said this week his Catholic faith and an unexpected vision kept him alive during the long hours in which he was trapped under the rubble of the twin towers.

This account is from a Catholic News Agency story about the movie and the true story behind the main characters.

“World Trade Center” recounts the story of Jimeno and John McLoughlin, two New York police officers who ran into the second tower to help rescue people.  When the tower collapsed, all of their fellow officers were crushed to death.  Jimeno and McLoughlin managed to survive 12 hours under the rubble, unable to see one another but at least able to communicate.  Only 20 people were pulled from the rubble, alive – Jimeno was number 18 and McLoughlin number 19.

In one scene of the movie, Jimeno has a vision of Jesus who offers him a bottle of water.  In an interview with Univision, he confirmed the veracity of the account.

“In the majority of interviews I have with Hispanics, they always ask me about that.  But I am Catholic, my mother Emma taught me my faith and my dad, William, hard work.  And the faith my mother gave me, that night I needed it, because at that moment the two buildings fell, I was burned and the revolver (of his companion) went off.  I was ready to die, I made my peace with God.  But God gave me the will and strength to keep fighting, because if I had not seen Jesus, I think I would be dead,” he stated.

On this weekend of the movie’s release, news is still unfolding about the foiled terror plot that would have spontaneously massacred more untold numbers of unsuspecting and innocent people. There are people who want to commit mass murder and are actively trying to do it all the time in our cities. We are all vulnerable all the time, but life goes on.

Taking the message from Jimeno — which my faith already informs me — I take peace and courage and hope by contemplating the face of Christ. It’s not just a powerful image. He’s really here, now.

That reminds me of a good read. I recommend it, especially now.