E.T. Phone Home

The movie “E. T.” (if you didn’t see it) is the story of an ugly — beautiful! — creature who is left behind when his spaceship touches down on planet earth. He is befriended by a little boy named Elliot, Elliot’s brother and sister, and others. They go through a series of adventures together until, finally, the spaceship returns and rescues E. T.: the “Extra Terrestrial.” Although the moviemaker has never claimed to have intentionally imbedded the Gospel into this film, nevertheless it is there, all the way through.

First of all, the Extra Terrestrial coming to our planet is a perfect symbol of the Incarnation. Moreover, this Extra Terrestrial has an adventure here that remarkably parallels the Gospel story of Jesus. He makes a few disciples who love him and follow him. Most of the people line up against him and become the enemy — especially the scientists who simply want to dissect him and study him. He performs miracles. He brings a…