Yes, I know, this title is as provocative as the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. But don’t worry, this is neither a blasphemous prelude nor a frontal attack on the organizers of this ceremony. Quite the opposite. It’s a personal reflection: what if the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics had been, how shall I put it… inspired from above? Without Thomas Jolly, the maestro of this French spectacle, even realizing it… because God remains the Master of events. Let me explain.
It all begins with a winking nod that makes you smile: "Zizou Christ," a delightfully audacious nickname given by actor Djamel Debbouze to our dear Zinedine Zidane. And from there, you might think that the tone is set. But wait, this is just the beginning!
Thomas Jolly then guides us through 12 historical tableaux. Ah, 12… Isn’t that number familiar? And wasn’t Thomas one of the 12 apostles, the one who doubted God the most? You see? No, no, this isn’t proselytism, just a coincidence (or not?) that makes me ponder.
The first tableau is called "Ça ira" (It Will Be Fine), and the first apostle is "Andrew." I remember this quote from Saint Andrew: "In prayer, we speak to God as we would speak to a friend. We must pray... When you say softly, 'Our Father who art in heaven,' He has His ear on your mouth..." With Thomas’s first tableau, I read in Andrew’s message: "God has His ear on your mouth, speak to Him as you would to a friend, ÇA IRA!"
Then comes the scene, the famous "Last Supper," the 9th tableau by Thomas called "Festivities."
Where some might expect a pious representation, Dionysus, the god of wine, takes the stage with his "drag queens." And thus, the "Last Supper" is reimagined in a distinctly French "insolent" style. Thomas Jolly denies being inspired by this final meal with Jesus; his aim was simply to showcase festivity, a good, genuine, and beautiful moment. As Saint Thomas wrote, "Everything that exists in beauty, goodness, and truth speaks to us of Him (God) who is, of His Beauty, His Goodness, and His Truth."
And to top it all off, Céline Dion sings, from the top of the Eiffel Tower, the iconic "Hymne à l’amour" by Edith Piaf, with the concluding words of the song: "God reunites those who love each other." Boom! This gives food for thought, even for those who thought they were there just for the spectacle. Pay close attention to the conclusion of the ceremony and these final words at minute 5:38:
As a proud Frenchman, I loved this opening ceremony. And as a Christian, I respect the opinion of the French bishops who raised a critical eyebrow, even though I think they missed the point and that we are overlooking the Essential!
Thomas Jolly did not seek to shock Christianity or other religions. He wanted, with a touch of humor and a lot of heart, to offer "a ceremony that heals, that brings together." And I sincerely believe that he succeeded, or rather, that HE succeeded! Yes! I truly believe that it is not the artistic director Thomas Jolly behind this ceremony, but rather a Thomas humanly inspired by a divine provocation, in the French way. As I wrote in my book L'abondance tuera, God can sometimes have a lot of humor in His earthly provocations.
So here’s my reading of this opening ceremony from my couch: "These Olympic and Paralympic Games with all its nations are a unique opportunity to come together, beyond our differences. 'God reunites those who love each other,' concludes Edith Piaf. Should we not see here an invitation to unite, with a little divine pat on the shoulder of each of us, French bishops included, to move beyond our quarrels and differences to look together towards the Essential?"
I see in this ceremony the key to our humanity, for in the end, only God can truly unite us. Humans are merely actors in His plan, sometimes a bit insolent, but always driven by love.
Whether you believe in God or not, whether you are Christian, Muslim, straight, or gay, this ceremony was for everyone. It carried within it a subtle lesson in brotherhood and a call to spiritual reflection. Like a divine wink through Thomas, a skeptic facing God, who seemed to tell us with a quiet strength: "I LOVE YOU ALL!"
I imagine Jesus Christ at this opening ceremony, with a sly smile, applauding the message of fraternity that emanated from this show. He would surely have perceived this divine provocation, wrapped in blue, white, and red, and would have thought of the words of Pope Francis: "God chooses someone to love everyone. Christianity is not a small group of first-class chosen ones. The Lord’s call cannot be lived as a selfish privilege. No one is excluded."
But now, the hardest part begins. Do you feel that nostalgia that lingers among the French at the end of these Olympics? Something is missing, isn’t it? But is it really the Olympics? I don’t think so. Something has awakened in our hearts, a response to a hope. We felt a call to brotherhood and we want to go back. We simply miss it. This is how God acts in our hearts, but the hardest part is seeing Him… or rather wanting Him because words are not enough. It must become concrete in our daily lives. Each of us must respond. Our own Olympics, our Path, begin here…
Buen Camino,
Reynald NAULLEAU