It is interesting, in following this argument, to look at Genesis 1:28 towards the end of God creating the world when people have been created: God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” "Subdue" and "have dominion" both have connotations of rule (in English and in Hebrew). They give the sense that people were given rule, by God, over the earth and all things in it. What that means has been debated over the years, particular in modern times. Digory and Uncle Andrew certainly embody that debate here. Is the Earth ours to use as we will, or is it something we are called to protect? I merely wish to offer this question up to ponder: what does it mean to rule? Rather, we might ask how it is that God rules, particularly in the form of Jesus Christ. As we read The Magician's Nephew, how do we view the respective positions of Uncle Andrew and Digory? How might those positions give us new insights into what Scripture may be saying to us?
0 Comments
Digory, on the other hand, look towards the good of others. He questions his uncle's methods not because of his exploration but because of how Andrew's methods affect other people and creatures. Specifically, he points out that his uncle should be willing to undergo the same trials he puts others, like Polly, through. What Digory says can be summed up in the Golden Rule: In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you. We should not forget how important our treatment of others is important in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew, Jesus sums up the law and the prophets by giving us the Two Great Commandments: Love the Lord your God will all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.... Love your neighbor as yourself. We should also not forget the New Commandment Jesus gives the Disciples in John: Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. In the end, Digory's view of morality is the right one. It may be the more difficult one at times, especially for Digory as he prepares to venture into the unknown to follow Polly. It may mean putting ourselves at risk, like Digory and, frankly, Jesus. But it does mean we will be better people if we can treat others with the same dignity we think others should treat us. Otherwise, we just continue to go around hurting and being hurt just like Uncle Andrew. Please note, Sky: Children of the Light is rated 9+ Major Spoilers Ahead!!! One of the coolest things about Sky: Children of the Light is it gives us an example of what Jesus did for us, literally. To actually complete the game, you have to die. The final realm of the game, called Eden, is the darkest place yet (one that would be almost impossible to face alone). There are storms, rocks that suck your energy out of you, and a killer dragon. All that gets you to the final place of darkness where, as you are constantly bombarded with lava and rocks, you have to place the Winged Light you have collected throughout the game back into the bodies of the children of light. In other words, you have to save them, but each time you do, your character loses a little bit of life and power. This is exactly what Jesus did for us. In order to restore us to life and make us whole, Jesus gave His own life. Jesus did this not for His own good, but for our good. Restoring us to life meant facing death. While Sky is a video game and you do get something (special candles you need to unlock other skills and items), you also loose a lot too. Without your Winged Light, you can no longer fly as far as you could before, and have to go back and find all the Winged Light you have collected before once again. Another great thing about Sky is that there is an afterlife you go to. As we believe as Christians, this life is filled with others. Not only do you meet the Children of Light you have saved, but you fly around with the friends you have made through the social function of the game (our fellow siblings in Christ) and with the Elders you meet throughout the storyline (the saints who have gone before us).
The end of the game is not even the end of the game, nor is it really truly the end of your life. This is our belief as well. When our life on this world ends, the new Resurrected Life will begin. Sky: Children of the Light is one of those few (if not only) games where you can live into the sacrifice Jesus made for us and see us all coming together in the world to come as Children of God. You don't even have to pay a dime to begin to explore it.
Speaking of Polly, she helps showcase reconciliation. When she realizes the suffering Digory is going through with his dad traveling away and his mother dying, Polly does two things. She changes the subject with 'chit chat' about Digory's aunt and uncle, the family members he is staying with. Chit chat is a helpful tool we often use to help defuse a difficult situation. It helps relieve awkwardness as well.
But Polly does something before that, something that many of us often don't have the courage to do. She apologizes and says "I'm sorry." Saying "sorry" is the best way to move to reconciliation with those we love, and we should be brave like Polly in saying it. Finally, the chapter ends with Uncle Andrew using flattery to get Polly (and, as we will see in the next chapter, Digory) to participate in his experiment. Flattery catches us all at times. It is even a a device that Scripture warns us about, as well as a tool of those who wish to lead others astray. The end of the chapter is a helpful reminder to us to be on our guard in our own lives against those who flattery us but wish only to serve themselves. Please note, Sky: Children of the Light is rated 9+. A wonderful and free app game out there is Sky: Children of the Light. Not only is it a beautiful world where you get to fly and explore, but it has a great message that can help us in our understanding of the Gospel. The subtitle Children of the Light relates heavily to the Gospel. The term "children of light" is used a good deal in the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament. To sum up what is said, let us turn to what Jesus says after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem in John 12:36: While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light. Part of being children of light means serving Jesus and trying to spread the light of His love to the world. The Song of Simeon, presented in the Gospel according to Luke, gives a good look at what this should look like when Simeon says that Jesus is to be: A light to enlighten the Nations, and the glory of your people Israel We are called to serve as a light pointing to that light of Jesus in this world. On the website for Sky, we're told that one of the goals of the game is to "Spread light to the desolate kingdom", which falls directly in line with what we are told to do in the Gospel in the real world. Sky also has a deep social aspect to it, and my experience is that other players are extremely kind and generous in helping, especially in a game where there is limited text communication. That is a reminder that we do not do our work for Jesus alone, but that we all have different gifts that are needed to serve the Kingdom of God. Overall, this is a fun, safe, and free game that helps remind us of our role as children of light and our duty to spread the light of Christ, together, in the world. Please note, Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee! is rated E for Everyone! Another thing that Pokémon Let's Go has changed from the past games is adding an option to play the game in 2-player mode. This means that if you're new to the games and want a little help or if you want a chance to experience Pokémon with someone else, you now can.
This is particularly helpful if you are a parent trying to get involved in your child's interests. 2-player mode gives you a front seat into the world of Pokémon. If you're a parent who grew up playing Pokémon, this can be a great way to bond with your child. The 2-player mode makes the game incredibly easy, so this could especially help younger children who might have trouble making it through he game on their own. What I love about this mode is it gives people a chance to bond, connect, and come closer together. In the end, that's what life is really about, and it is the core value of our faith. Please note, Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee! is rated E for Everyone! One of the things I love most about Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee! is the respect your character always shows to both smaller Pokémon and children. Every time you talk with a tiny Pokémon or a child in the game, your character always leans down to meet the other's eye line. This is a huge sign of respect and an indication that your character is listening. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus has conversations with His Disciples, telling them to Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs. Jesus lays out the importance of giving respect to children, and we should do the same. That's why I love that Pokémon Let's Go offers such great examples of respecting even the little ones in our midst, and I am so happy that this tread has continued with Pokémon Sword/Shield. |
Please note, there maybe Spoilers in the Posts below!
The Rev. Trey KennedyHere is my take on how Superheroes and other characters can help us know God better. Categories
All
Archives
May 2024
|