By Kim Thoday

The late Gregory Peck is regarded as one of the great movie actors. Peck’s performances usually conveyed great depth and he often played characters of strength, resilience, honesty, integrity, generosity and warmth. Even his early movies such as “Gentleman’s Agreement” display Peck’s interest in morality and social justice. Former US President Bill Clinton once said that Peck’s acting over the decades had helped heal some of America’s deepest wounds. Peck often came across in his acting as a gentleman, in the true sense of the word. That is, a gentleman, in terms of his sensitivities toward others and a strength of character born of wisdom and the pain of life. What is unusual about Peck is that his acting was a reflection of the real life person. What is also unusual is that Peck remained married for 43 years and to the same woman.

Gregory Peck made many memorable films, some indeed like a great novel, timeless in their illumination of the human condition. Films such as: ‘Cape Fear’ (1962), ‘The Trial of the Catonsville 9′, ‘Twelve O’clock High’, ‘The Guns of Navarone’, ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’, ‘The Boys from Brazil’, ‘Cape Fear’ (1992).

Toward the end of his life, someone asked Peck in an interview, how would he like to be remembered? He gave an interesting answer. He said most of all that he wanted to be remembered as a good husband and father. He wanted his children and grandchildren to remember him as a good father and grandfather. He wanted his wife to remember him as someone who made her life as happy as she had made his. Then he went on to say that professionally he wanted to be remembered as a good story teller; to have done some work that would stand the test of time; to convey a meaningful story; to hold an audience from start to finish and for people to say he told the story well and that it was a story worth hearing, a story that brought enjoyment and had value.

I often pray that my life and ministry will not have done too much damage to my family, friends, colleagues and congregations. If the credits of my ministry even slightly out-weigh the debits then that will be an expression of God’s grace. As Christian ministers, let us strive first and foremost to be good role models to those closest to us. May our acting be a reflection of who we are at home. May we also learn to do our craft well – to be good story tellers. May we have done the work of the Gospel in ways that will stand the test of time. May we tell the stories of Jesus in relevant and meaningful forms that are worth hearing, bringing enjoyment and adding eternal value to people’s lives.

Grace and Peace,

Kim Thoday, Hewett Community Church of Christ, South Australia

http://www.hewett.org.au

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