Another thought: Gandalf, Frodo and Sam all depart Middle Earth after completing their particular roles, much as Christ physically ascends after reassuring his followers and confirming their ongoing mission.
So no joke, I am beginning my Easter sermon with the final paragraphs from the Chapter: Mount Doom in RotK. I am speaking about how the story "continues" after evil is defeated. So often we end with happily ever after, but Tolkien writes 6 more chapters (in my paperback books—another almost 80 pages). Seems like there is menat to be life even when we think death ends the story...
"Days after the destruction of the Ring, gardener Sam Gamgee encounters Gandalf, who he assumed was dead but is now risen and transformed, while in the Gospel of John chapter 20 Mary Magdalene encounters the risen and transformed Jesus, whom she mistakes for a gardener."
The above really jumped out for me. Excellent!-- found myself nodding thru the entire post. Cheers, and a belated Happy Easter to you and all your readers! 🙏
I thought about this parallel yesterday. The lighting of worshippers candles from the Paschal candle and the beacons being lit!
ohhhhh I like it!
Another thought: Gandalf, Frodo and Sam all depart Middle Earth after completing their particular roles, much as Christ physically ascends after reassuring his followers and confirming their ongoing mission.
Beautiful piece! Thank you, and Happy Easter!
So no joke, I am beginning my Easter sermon with the final paragraphs from the Chapter: Mount Doom in RotK. I am speaking about how the story "continues" after evil is defeated. So often we end with happily ever after, but Tolkien writes 6 more chapters (in my paperback books—another almost 80 pages). Seems like there is menat to be life even when we think death ends the story...
Exactly why it’s my Easter tradition to watch Return of the King. Love this!
Great points, it's totally there.
Those are some very interesting parallels!
"Days after the destruction of the Ring, gardener Sam Gamgee encounters Gandalf, who he assumed was dead but is now risen and transformed, while in the Gospel of John chapter 20 Mary Magdalene encounters the risen and transformed Jesus, whom she mistakes for a gardener."
The above really jumped out for me. Excellent!-- found myself nodding thru the entire post. Cheers, and a belated Happy Easter to you and all your readers! 🙏
I thought this was going to be a joke post before clicking on it but you raise very good points!
I guess this answers the question about what movie we should watch on Sunday!
40 days before March 25th is, in the Shire calendar, February 15, https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/15_February