Editor's note: The Tidings is offering an at home retreat through Lent using Franco Zeffirelli's miniseries, "Jesus of Nazareth." This is the first segment.

We begin our retreat with the infancy narratives of the birth of Jesus, which we celebrated during the Christmas-Epiphany season. Skipping the first part of the film, begin with the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus, and end with the visit of the Magi, about a half-hour of viewing.

I think you will be struck by the realism of the film (the faces of the shepherds, the baby's cry), and the youthfulness of Mary and Joseph. This helps us to realize that they were real people, into whose lives an awesome mystery was revealed, and they were challenged to respond to it.

You will also see a technique which Zeffirelli uses throughout the film: putting the words of prophecies into the mouths of others (in this case, the Wise Men or Magi and the Shepherds.). The integrity of the drama is thus preserved, and the theological reflections of the evangelists integrated into the story.

View these segments as an "overture" of the life and ministry and meaning of Jesus --- which the Infancy Narratives really are in our Gospels. The "gospel according to Zeffirelli" dramatizes these scenes in such a way as to summarize the meaning of Jesus for ourselves and for the world.

The birth of Jesus was an historic moment in history, because it was the beginning of our redemption. But the stories of Jesus' infancy are told backwards in the Gospels, and in this film: knowing that Jesus lived and died and rose from the dead as Savior and Messiah. These stories are like an overture of his life, summing up what the whole story will be. Jesus is the heart of our faith and the core of our religion, and the one born, we believe, to bring true Peace to the world.

Following are some discussion questions which may help you and your viewing group probe the meaning of these scenes as you prepare to begin your own journey at the beginning of Lent, the way Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the Magi took journeys of their own when Jesus entered their world.

(In watching the video, begin with the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, through Birth of Jesus, Three Kings, visit of Shepherds, Presentation in Temple, to Gifts of the Magi. On DVD, view Chapters 14 through 21. About 30 minutes total viewing.)

Discussion Questions

--- What did the various characters in the Infancy Stories say about this child Jesus (e.g., the Shepherds, the Kings, Herod, Zachary)?

--- Why do you think the Infancy Stories are called an "Overture" of Jesus' life? Did you understand your home Nativity Scene (crèche) as such an "overture"?

--- Did you get any different insights into this familiar story by viewing the film?

--- How can Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi, into whose lives an awesome mystery was thrust, be models for us in our own lives?

Next week: After his Baptism, Jesus begins preaching the Kingdom.

Next week: After his Baptism, Jesus begins preaching the Kingdom.