The Mission--Reconciliation

This is one of the greatest scenes in movie history and a perfect visual of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The context is this:
Rodrigo Mendoza (played by Robert de Niro) is a mercenary and slave trader. He makes his living capturing and enslaving the indigenous people and selling them to nearby plantations. He is rich and powerful and has a beautiful woman who is having an affair with his brother. When he learns of the affair, he kills his brother and turns his back on the way of the world. He confesses his sins to Father Gabriel. He feels he must really suffer for his sins, so he doesn't accept anything but the harshest of penances--Father Gabriel ties his armor and his weapons around Mendoza's waist, who carries them up the falls and mountain toward the very people he once captured and enslaved. At one point, on of the priest is moved with pity to free Mendoza from his penance, but Mendoza only tied the burden around his waist once more and continued the journey. And...

[@alpsofsilence1461]

This scene alone prevented me taking my own life when I was in the deepest part of hell within.

[@BFG-hv2ml]

I love to hear that, may you be blessed brother 💙

[@alpsofsilence1461]

@@BFG-hv2ml same to you 💙

[@davidgettings4605]

By your comment alone I can tell your strength is wrapped in your sensitivity, major congratulations for never giving up.

[@MetaphysicalAlignment]

My friend… I completely understand believe me. You are not alone.

[@inigobilbao3358]

God bless you brother ❤️

[@arthurhembling6237]

I saw this film when released in the UK on the day it opened - in a cinema in Leicester Square - never have I experienced anything like it in a cinema - at the end there was deathly silence - and even after the credits had rolled everyone just sat - the silence was deafening and it must have been the ushers that started to get everyone to move in absolute silence - and as we stood in a world so different outside the cinema - we had to just stop and wonder what we had just witnessed - the power in this scene alone has stayed with me all these years - the forgiveness scene at the falls is perhaps one of the greatest scenes in cinematic history - you can sense the release as the burdens tumble into the falls - as mercy triumphs over judgement. - and the music is made in heaven!

[@roisinpatriciagaffney4087]

The music of Ennio Morricone reflects the power and the glory of our Triune God.

[@patrickendicott354]

The movie had the same effect on me years ago in South Carolina, USA.

[@DiogenesLantern]

Twice in my life that same shattered feeling- The mission and Schindlers list

[@mattrishton]

Saw it in Melbourne back in 86 I think; tears rolled down my face, just like now...

[@akbarshoed]

I grew up a Baptist where we felt God was crazy about us just as we were. But even then this scene made complete sense to me.

[@FELOTRRS]

Instead of payback and vengeance, the knife that could have been used to cut his throat was used to cut the ropes of the equipment that this enemy used to enslave and kill them, not only cut the ropes around his body, but also free him from the heavy chains of his heart. That is the real meaning of love and pardon.

[@khaccanhle1930]

He didn't free himself, his former victims did.

[@akbarshoed]

There are millions of people who create KZbin content DAILY depicting anger and revenge. They get millions of views and are fully monetized because that's where the eyes are. But so very few of us know true repentance. Lord, have mercy.

[@surgeonanuruddha8148]

This movie has nothing but the message of christ which is everything.

[@plumlogan]

he finally recognizes the worthlessness of his burden - and he can't help but both cry and laugh ... phenomenal scene

[@RodCornholio]

And his burden was released by the very people he, formerly, hunted, killed, captured, and sold because THEY had learned (e.g. forgiveness) from the Jesuit missionaries. This movie is a phenomenal work of art.

[@mart4414]

@@RodCornholio That's exactly it, he wouldn't allow himself to be free of it. They had to free him, they had to forgive him. Beautiful writing & De Niro at his raw best.

[@RodCornholio]

@@mart4414 Consciousness changing movie/story in my opinion. It'll change the core of someone's being. Not many movies like that these days. Gran Torino is the most modern I know of.

[@LStuart762]

@@mart4414 I was just feeling de Niro expressive last evening 😄

[@michaelgawel5823]

DeNiro's most underrated role! Poignant! Beautiful scene - if only we could all forgive like this!

[@jonsson666]

What a superb actor Robert de Niro is. No words, just pure emotion.

[@Aman-nk5uq]

God for a reason, eh?

[@khaccanhle1930]

I know what it's like to try to drag your past as a form of self punishment. And I know what it's like to receive forgiveness and I know who cut my burden away.

[@bunkerbuster6729]

The greatest movie and scene in history of cinematography. Amen.

[@alexandergadefelt9032]

Still one best acting in a scene, you need to watch this masterpiece as a full movie. Ennios music gives so much. Trying to watch it a couple of times a year, when I'm strong enough.

[@peterfrank3365]

The rage that led him to kill his own brother peaked when he thought another man was laughing at him. Now, he's on his knees, crying, and the natives laugh. And he decides to join.

[@ashketchup777]

They are not indians

[@peterfrank3365]

@@ashketchup777 My mistake.

[@rodrigomarcondes5857]

There are few movies that move me to such an extent it makes me cry, The Mission is one of them, this scene and the final battle are such powerful scenes i always bawl

[@deliafamatigan8764]

This scene is so powerful. The God of Pardon was showing all of us how God purifies the heart of a great sinner. I cried watching this.

[@itsstans75]

Never really understood this scene was when I first watched The Mission. Years later on a second viewing I finally got it. No matter how much suffering or pain De Niro's character put himself through there is no way he can ever forgive himself for killing his own brother. Only when the Indians cut away the rope attached to his body did he finally let go of and receive forgiveness, crying his heart out in the process at the sins of his past. A simple yet powerful scene and top notch performance by De Niro.

[@mikededo9455]

I away from the Catholic Church for 40 years and thats exactly how i felt before walking into the confessional and after i received Absolution... such a powerful scene. ❤❤

[@michaeldoyle6702]

The Light shines in the darkness, and the dark has never put it out. (John) The quote from John appears at the end of this great movie.

[@ghulamhussain1979]

One of the best films if not the best with such moving music and scenes it makes me smile a bit sad aswell at the same time 😢 with lots of love and joy ❤️

[@mattrishton]

A great movie is a collection of great scenes and this is one of the best...

[@michaelneuman1931]

So damn powerful....reconciliation...with our very beautiful powerful Trinity..God,Jesus and the Holy Spirit.......He,' 'they'' are waiting in our midst. Just waiting....!!!!!.....for all of us...lost ones in the wilderness.....One cry and He is there....Grace and mercy.....!!!!!!..is for us all to receive...Just ask with thy heart and one will receive!!!!

[@Don-yx5fc]

La scena più bella di tutti i tempi

[@sjplwc]

I don't believe it is necessary for men to "do penance" in order to earn forgiveness from God -- Jesus paid the full price with his sinless death; our responsibility is to receive what He did by repentant faith and then proceed with a transformed heart . THAT SAID ... this is truly one of the most shattering scenes in all of cinematic history. The eruption of emotion, mashed together and flowing in waves from DeNiro's character and the surrounding crowd, is simply breathtaking. Grief, joy, bewilderment, heartache (Liam Neeson's face!) relief, wonderment; surging all together from the chaos; the horrors of humanity's disobedience to the Creator contrasted with the glory of His mercy and kindness in making a way for each of us to come back to Him. Astonishing! And it's captured in this remarkable scene. Thank you, Jesus.

[@Zvenygora]

He will die for this people later on in the movie to accomplish his reconciliation.

[@rogerkincaid931]

Acting 101.

[@pmppmo]

More like acting 1000000000000000001

[@clementevillasenor6528]

Yes Beautiful message how forgiveness and love redeem human beings the message of JesusCrist is true!!!

[@kikamen]

No other feeling is as powerful, joyful and peaceful as acknowledging that God has forgiven you. Go to confession!!

[@swastikausa]

de niro really did climb up the falls with the wagon. non of this is fake.

[@bf4643]

How can we redem ourselves with out forgiveness.imposible

[@matthewgabbard6415]

At the end of the day everyone wants to be forgiven and told it’s ok, you can start again. That’s why Christianity became so powerful

[@dorotarek4560]

❤

[@noquestionspls]

"God will forgive you. Do not forgive yourself."

[@marcusmariemoylan]

:)

[@ashketchup777]

Whos chopping onions 🌰 😢

[@minsukim2415]

Iiii

[@davidbutler1857]

Strangely, this film taught me the uselessness of religion and the reality that it's the spirit of man that triumphs...

[@buffdrink]

I am sorry for you...

[@nukethenarrative5873]

It should have taught you that Robert Dinero is a FUCKING monster. Seriously. He sucks so much.

[@roddaman7545]

Religion is a mask that man puts on God, so we have a recognizable face to talk to. Don't confuse mans institutions with the divinity they obscure. I think this 'spirit of man' is what it was always about, it's just been so buried in cultural and political conceits that we can't see it. I say that as someone in the same position as you I guess; religion isn't it, but we don't have another discernible mechanism to access and connect to this 'spirit' in western culture. Other, eastern traditions feel like phony play-acting or cultural appropriation and atheism is a form of amputation. So, then what?

[@inkstersco]

This scene shows the spirit of man united with that of God.

[@Tuberiascaesar]

@@roddaman7545 You've peaked my curiosity could you elaborate on phony play acting and amputation please?