In an interview with Square Mile magazine, Mark Wahlberg was asked about his strong Catholic roots.
“I don’t go to Mass necessarily every day, but I definitely go to the church every day. That’s how I start my day. I like to get in there for about 15 to 20 minutes. Say my prayers.”
When asked what prayer does for him, he replied, “A very clear focus on what’s important, expressing my gratitude for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon me, and a reminder every day of what I need to do, of what I need to focus on, and what I need to stay away from. I pray to be a good servant to God, a father, a husband, a son, a friend, a brother and uncle, a good neighbor, a good leader to those (who) look up to me, and a good follower to those (who) serve God and doing the right thing, and people that I can look up to and try to emulate.”
So, if this is his philosophy and this is how he strives to conduct his life, then why doesn’t it permeate every area in his life, including the movies he chooses to create?
Wahlberg has never boasted of a squeaky-clean image, donning his Calvin Kleins and flexing his muscles as he rapped his way into teenage idol stardom in the mid ’90s.
I get that in order to be taken seriously, he has had to star in diverse films showing his acting prowess so as not to be pigeonholed by Hollywood. He accomplished that by turning heads in Boogie Nights, then gaining actors’ respect with Planet of the Apes. But even so, amid the fanfare and Oscar nod for his role in The Departed, Wahlberg has to answer the same question every one of us must face: “How do I live in the world, and keep my Christian convictions intact?”
Perhaps his conscience is getting the best of him.
At the Philadelphia World Meeting of Families event, Bobby Hill, a 14-year-old boy who gave a breathtaking a capella performance, surprised Wahlberg by whispering he loved the movie Ted, a raunchy comedy about a stuffed teddy bear who engages in every act of debauchery known to man. Wahlberg, obviously embarrassed, addressed the Pope and stated, “I’ve always hoped that the good Lord has a sense of humor, when it comes and pertains to many of the movies that I’ve made. Holy father, please forgive me.”
Although he said that in jest, no amount of absolutions from the Pope can make a soul bent on personal gain right again. “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36).
No doubt the Lord does have a good sense of humor. After all, we are made in His image. Also, maybe this situation will cause Wahlberg to realize the real impact that some of his movies have, and how he can do greater good by choosing movies that represent the good, the true and the beautiful.
“But now you must also put away all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouth” (Col. 3:8). {eoa}
This article originally appeared on movieguide.org.
Michelle S. Lazurek is a pastor‘s wife, Bible teacher, mother, author and speaker. She gives discipleship tips on her weekly blog michellelazurek.com.
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