Broken

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9:22-25)

There is great series on Prime Video called “Broken.” I highly recommend it.  Each episode is riveting.  

Broken is a six-part British television drama series first broadcast on BBC One on 30 May 2017. The series focuses on Michael Kerrigan (Sean Bean), the priest of a Roman Catholic parish in a northern English city, who despite suffering from his own troubles stemming from a traumatic childhood, tries to guide several of his most vulnerable parishioners through the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

Bean is superb as a priest, and one quickly sees how a priest’s life can be very complicated and stressed when dealing with parishioners in need of help and advice.  Father Kerrigan must deny himself and take up his cross daily to follow Jesus.  That following was not without its consequences for him and those he guided.  It’s a fascinating and moving look into this Irish priest’s life and his spiritual struggles.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  This insight is particularly relevant to the dilemma faced by a young policeman having witnessed police brutality.  I’ll say no more to not spoil your viewing if you wish to do some soul searching yourself.  I sure did.

Deacon David Pierce