Editing Lilies of the Field (1963 film) (section)

==Plot==
Homer Smith, a drifting handyman, stops at a remote [[Arizona]] farm seeking water for his car. He encounters a group of [[Eastern Europe]]an nuns—led by the stern Mother Maria Marthe—struggling to maintain their modest desert homestead. Though initially resistant, Homer agrees to repair their roof in exchange for payment. The nuns, who speak little English, humorously dub him "Schmidt" (the German equivalent of Smith) and invite him to stay for meals, slowly endearing themselves to him.

When Homer demands payment, Mother Maria deflects by quoting the Bible's Sermon on the Mount ("Consider the lilies of the field…"), urging faith over materialism. Homer counters with {{Bibleverse|Luke|10:7}} ("The laborer is worthy of his hire"), but her resolve remains unshaken. Through interactions with locals, including Juan, a café owner, and a traveling priest, Homer learns of the nuns’ harrowing escape from behind the [[Iron Curtain]] and their impoverished existence. Despite their inability to pay, he begrudgingly prolongs his stay, lured by the challenge of building a chapel for the nearby [[Mexican Americans|Mexican American]] community, whose nearest church is miles away.

Homer's initial reluctance gives way to ambition when he confesses his unrealized dream of becoming an architect. Using donated materials and his dwindling savings, he begins constructing the chapel single-handedly, insisting on perfection. Tensions flare with Mother Maria, who prioritizes pragmatism over his ideals, leading Homer to abandon the project temporarily. He returns hungover but remorseful, finding renewed purpose as the community gradually rallies to assist. Locals donate supplies and labor, transforming Homer's solitary endeavor into a collective effort, though he initially resists their involvement.

As construction progresses, Homer's leadership earns respect, even from Ashton, a dismissive contractor who later offers him a job. The chapel's completion culminates in a bittersweet victory: Homer secretly signs his work, symbolizing pride and humility. On the eve of the dedication, Mother Maria subtly implores him to stay, but Homer, aware their partnership has reached its natural end, departs quietly at nightfall. The nuns’ echoing rendition of “[[Amen (The Impressions song)|Amen]]"—a hymn they learned from him—underscores their unspoken gratitude as he drives away.