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

The scenes in this segment all seem to ask, "Who is this Jesus?" It is a question we ask again for ourselves this Lent, and find our own answer.

There is a gradual revelation of the Mystery of Jesus in these segments. Jesus will ask his disciples who people are saying he is, after his healings, his preaching, and the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. This gives us the chance to ask ourselves who this Jesus is for you and for me.

We meet Mary of Magdala as she seeks Jesus, and sees the marvelous miracle of the loaves and fishes. But this encourages the Zealots to want to use him for their violent overthrow of Herod. Can we see here those who have turned in frustration away from peace (and the message of Jesus) to seek violent ways to confront oppression?

The sincere Pharisees are also frustrated by Jesus, and his "…excessive tolerance, your lack of rigidity in your teaching," as Joseph of Arimathea says. But Jesus teaches them what the entire Law is, and just as they ask, "But who is my neighbor?," note who walks in!

The word begins to spread, as Jesus sends out his apostles with the words, "The Spirit of the Father will be speaking through you. You have freely received, now freely give." Some good advice for us too, during Lent.

Then note Mary's response to John as he calls her Blessed. "Anyone who obeys our Father in heaven is his brother, his sister, his mother." Zeffirelli put these words in her mouth, rather than in Jesus', with a much different effect.

A key scene in the segment is the question Jesus asks his returning disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter calls him, Messiah," but does not believe his words about his death and resurrection, as we soon see.

It may seem strange that Zeffirelli puts the Sermon on the Mount next, and the Our Father. But note how the people listen to this message of hope. And see how many are poor, sick, crippled and blind.

Then Jesus begins his journey to Jerusalem (note how different his mood is from the dancing and music), and what awaits him there. Judas hopes it is triumph; the others wonder. But the journey is interrupted by news about Lazarus, which will begin our next segment.

Many parishes read the story of the Samaritan Woman at the well on this Sunday, as part of the RCIA preparation for the Easter Vigil sacraments. This story is missing in the "Gospel according to Zeffirelli." Instead, we have the revelation of Jesus to his disciples and the crowds, not as "Living Water" but as "Living Bread."

(In watching the video, begin immediately where we stopped last week: Jesus multiplies the loaves and fishes, the Zealots plot revolt, Mary Magdalene washes Jesus' feet at supper, the apostles are sent preaching, the Zealots fail to kill Herod, Jesus admits he is the Messiah and predicts he will die and rise again, preaches the Beatitudes and teaches the people to pray, and makes his way to Jerusalem. On DVD, view Chapters 51-58 and fade out. Almost 40 minutes total viewing.)

Discussion Questions
--- Did you see any relationship to the "Our Father" and the miracle of loaves and fishes?

--- As Jesus' enemies begin to appear and grow strong, were there also friends? Who in particular? What does the message and meaning of Jesus say to the "zealots" of our day?

--- Zeffirelli always ties his scenes together. Why was the entrance of Mary Magdalene at a particular time in the conversation? What was the link?

--- Why do you think Zeffirelli places the Our Father right after the Beatitudes? Is there a link to the opening scene of the loaves and fishes in this segment?

--- What do these scenes say about who Jesus is for you?