When Jesus Sings Katy Perry – Clare

It has always been a family tradition to watch something about the story of Jesus during Holy Week. I remember times when we all watched Jesus Christ Superstar almost every year until Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ came along and then the movie Son of God.

This year, we watched The Passion, a TV musical special aired live that followed the last days of Jesus. I honestly did not know what to expect except for the publicized live performances of modern-day music incorporated in the story of Christ.

I was a little disappointed with the fact that some parts were not entirely live. Some aspects were obviously filmed elsewhere at another time while some performances were live on stage in front of an audience in New Orleans. I felt that there was a disconnect with the character of Mother Mary and the rest of the story because she (played by Trisha Yearwood) was live on stage while the rest was being shown on the big screen.

Still, the filmed parts were impressive. I loved the concept of “what if Jesus lived among us today” that the show presented. The way he came into town on a train. preached at a park, had discussions with his apostles at a bar and had the whole Last Supper and Agony in the Garden set at yet another park. You could really imagine that how it was presented could have been how it was if Jesus lived in our time. I loved it when the host (Tyler Perry) asked what we would have done if we ran into Jesus today: would we take a selfie? Would we follow or would we ignore him completely?

I was impressed to see Jencarlos Canela, who plays Xavi on Telenovela with Eva Longoria, playing Jesus. I knew he could but I could never see him go beyond comedy until this show. I liked how the producers chose someone who was not of the white and blue-eyed variety to play Jesus and that the men who played his apostles were of different ages and races to show the diversity of his followers (I saw you, Michael W. Smith!).

My favorite scene would have to be Chris Daughtry’s performance of Bring Me To Life. The song really fit the torment that Judas Escariot was feeling for what he was about to do to Jesus. Chris’ version was so good that I want to listen to it over and over again.

Some songs, however, just didn’t feel right for me. They were inspiring, but they just did not fit. Having Yolanda Adams sing When Love Takes Over at the beginning and When the Saints Go Marching in at the end just did not fit for me. I love Gospel Music and she performed so well but it just did not connect for me. I think the latter song made sense with them being in New Orleans and all, but it still wasn’t a fit in my opinion.

To be fair, many of the other songs fit well with the story, using Love can Move Mountains while Jesus preached as he entered New Orleans (which was their Jerusalem for the show) was perfect to show what his words were about. The song Home by Philip Philips used by Jesus to talk to Peter to reassure him of what was to come was also a good one. Mother Mary singing the Jason Mraz hit I Won’t Give Up also gave the song a new meaning for me. That was a also good choice.

What I was not sure of was the Katy Perry song Unconditionally performed at the end to present the resurrection of Jesus. I loved how people were wondering where Jesus was at the end of the show as he was singing and having him appear at a far away building where he could look over everyone was a nice touch. The lyrics of the song fit well with the theme of the resurrection, being that God loves us unconditionally, but it just felt off to hear him sing a Katy Perry song. I can’t explain it, but that is what I felt at that time I was watching it.

I think that the show had its moments with the performances and the narration, but there is still some room for improvement. I heard that there is a plan for this to be an annual thing — maybe next year can be even better. I’d love to see it to be completely live next time and that there can choose more songs that people would see in a different light after being used in the show. I hope they also retain the procession that was done in the middle of the performances. It was so touching to see how it started with a few people that got bigger and bigger with some being interviewed about how they joined because of what Jesus means in their lives. Getting the community to participate was something that impressed me and their stories inspired me at that moment to improve my relationship with God.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a better show next year. If they have one, that is.

Photo Credit: Fox