Please note, The Mandalorian is rated TV-14. In The Mandalorian Chapter 3: The Sin, Mando is struggling with what has happened with the Child, what it means, and what it means for his next actions. Part of Mando’s deal with the Imperial group that wants the Child is for beskar, an important metal to the mandalorians, much of which the Empire stole from them. When Mando’s fellow mandalorians see all this beskar, as well as the symbol of the Empire on it, one of his compatriots, in particular, gets angry enough to tussle with Mando. The Armorer, a wise leader of the mandalorians who has helped Mando before, points out that the beskar has returned to the right hands and that “when one chooses to walk the way of the Mandalore, you are both hunter and prey.” She ends her speech by pointing out Mando has remained true to the code and is no coward. All within earshot then repeat her call: “This is the way.”
When Mando later has to make the hard choice of forgoing his old way of life by rescuing the child, his mandalorian siblings-in-arms all show up to help him and the Child. The first to approach Mando is the very one he got in a fight with before. He tells Mando, “Get out of here. We’ll hold them off.” Mando responds “We’re going to have to relocate the coven.” His sibling-in-arms’ simple response is “This is the way.” Mando responds back the same. Much of Paul’s writings deal with the relationship of us with our fellow siblings in Christ. In 1 Corinthians particularly, Paul exhorts us not to be divided by faction, but to be one in Christ. This unity is, hopefully, the way for us Christians, in spite of our differences. Coming together is something Mando and his sibling-in-arms did, even though they had recently been at blows. They did this because they are siblings-in-arms. They did this because “this is the way.”
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What I love about Chapter 7 in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is that it encapsulates the path of a spiritual journey.
In the previous chapter, Lucy, Susan, Peter, and Edmund were following a robin. This is similar to how we have moments in our lives when feel a faint pull or hear a small voice in our hearts leading us in one direction or another. Often this is the voice of God, and at times it is louder and other times softer in our lives. But there are times in the journey when we get lost, just like the children, and those signs that were once so clear seem to vanish. There is a sense of danger in these moments, even if we are not always aware exactly what that danger is. Fortunately, there are others whose specific duty is to help us, like Mr. Beaver. These might be friends, pastors, spiritual directors, or counselors who have been on their own journeys and can help us navigate the way. Like the children, we do want to be cautious of who to trust. Just as Lucy's handkerchief is a sign of Mr. Beaver's trustworthiness, we can use tools to compare with the words our guides say to us. Scripture is always a good place to start, but we can also ask ourselves whether these guides are working to build up our relationship with God, and is what they're doing working for us? Finally, there is that great connection with God that is made, just as the children experience through the mere mention of Aslan's name:
Then, the children have one last leg of danger, passing over the ice, until they get what they really need: a fresh, hot dinner. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, the path does lead us back to God. We just have to keep our eyes and ears open for the signs around us. When those signs disappear, we need to be open to the help of those like Mr. Beaver who can help lead us back to our Lord. Please note, The Mandalorian is rated TV-14. In one of their first interactions, Mando is injured as the Child (a.k.a. Baby Yoda) sits beside him. The Child feels the tug of the Force, calling it to help the Mandalorian by healing him. Mando doesn't understand what the Child is doing, so he continuously places the Child back in the crib to keep the Child from wandering out.
The thing is, if Mando had been more open and paying attention, the Child could have healed him a lot quicker than Mando could have on his own. This is a reminder to us. We need to be open to listening to the Spirit in our lives, because we never know when God will come in to change us. Great examples in Scripture are Joseph before he fully realized God was speaking to him in the interpretation of dreams and Paul's conversion on the Road to Damascus. Like Paul, Mando has a moment where he cannot ignore what is going on with the Child anymore. To fix his ship and get off planet, the Mandalorian is told to grab an egg from a Mudhorn creature for the Jawas. Unfortunately, the Mudhorn is an incredibly difficult animal to deal with. Just when it seems like Mando is making his last stand, the Child once again uses the power of the Force to help Mando, lifting the Mudhorn a few feet in the air. It takes so much energy, the Child gets knocked out for a while, but it gives Mando the edge he needed to take the Mudhorn down and bring the egg back to the Jawas. Again, we never know when God will surprise us in this world. Keep your eyes and ears open to see where the Spirit might be working in and around you. In Chapter 6 of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, all of Lucy's siblings finally make it to Narnia, only to find out that Mr. Tumnus has been taken by the agents of the White Witch. Lucy, of course, immediately points out that they must at least try to rescue Tumnus. The interesting thing is that Susan, for her sensible instincts that they should probably head home, and Peter, for his practical concern that they need more supplies, both agree with Lucy that the right thing to do is to rescue Mr. Tumnus. The power of doing the right thing rings true with them, no matter the costs. This is similar, in a way, to how Jesus came to our rescue, no matter the cost. At the end of the chapter, Edmund tries to plant the seeds of doubt in Peter, especially on which side is the right side. Peter's simple answer is: The Faun saved Lucy In Matthew 7:16, Jesus says we will know the true prophets by "their fruits." The same is true with Tumnus. We know he did not always live a good life, but we also know he moved past that to do the right thing for Lucy. His sacrifice was truly a good fruit, and it is the reason Peter is right in trusting him.
Please note, The Mandalorian is rated TV-14 Previously, we saw how Baby Yoda's presence led the Mandalorian (a.k.a. Mando) to change. We see that change more clearly in Chapter 6 when Mando is forced, by circumstances, to join back up with some old associates. Ran is an old acquaintance of Mando who did jobs with him way back when. As they prepare for a new job Ran has planned, Ran reminisces about back in the day about how having a mandalorian in their crew helped build their reputation. He remembers when he asked Mando what he was getting out of the arrangement, Mando replied "target practice." Mando's response now is: That was a long time ago. This is the first sign that the Mandalorian is no longer who he once was. Xi'an, one of the members of the crew, is implied to be a former flame of Mando's. She also tries to reminisce about old times, telling the rest of the crew to ask him about an old job. Mando claims, "I did what I had to do", while Xi'an states, "Oh, but you liked it." Earlier, when Xi'an sees Mando again, she tries to get him to flinch. He doesn't. But when the crew finds Baby Yoda stored away, and when the leader, Mayfeld, pretends to almost drop the Child, Mando does flinch. Now he has something he actually cares about. Mando also shows concerns about the job, showing he won't just do anything he has to anymore. He doesn't like that they are invading a New Republic prison. He is certainly not happy the use of his ship was a requirement for the mission, putting the Child, Baby Yoda, at risk. He doesn't like that, in spite of their intel, there is a human manning the station. He even tries to bargain with the guard for his life, even though Mayfeld is having none of it. He's willing to have a standoff with Mayfeld in an attempt to save the guard's life. It turns out the prisoner, Qin, they were trying to save was an old enemy of Mando's, and he is double crossed and left in the Qin's place. Mando, though, escapes and takes out the rest of the crew. When Qin asks if he killed them, Mando simply says: They got what they deserved. What they deserved is much different then what Qin expected. As revealed at the end of the episode, Mando merely imprisoned them all, just as they did to him, letting the New Republic figure out how to repay them for their crimes. Qin tries to appeal to Mando's code: do the job. He thinks that will be enough to get out alive so he can double cross Mando again. Mando has a surprise for him though. While Mando brings him back, he also brings back a New Republic distress homing beacon, which brings in a New Republic fleet to take Qin and Ran down. Mando ends the episode by turning to Baby Yoda and saying, "I told you that was a bad idea." Like the Apostle Paul and so many others, Mando's life is different from before. While some of the remnants of his past are there, he reacts to situations much differently. Baby Yoda has brought about that change for Mando, just as Baby Jesus brings about that change in us. C.S. Lewis' TrilemmaChapter 5 in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe centers around Peter's and Susan's concern for Lucy. She has just returned from Narnia with Edmund, but Edmund claims that their journey was just a story Lucy made up. Susan and Petter don't really understand why Lucy is telling stories about this mysterious place called Narnia, and they realize the issue is beyond them to fix. They turn to the Professor, their host, for some advice. Susan's and Peter's main concern is why Lucy has been telling lies about Narnia. The Professor asks how it is they know that Lucy's story isn't true. The argument gets laid out like this:
The really interesting part of the Professor's argument is how similar it is to C.S. Lewis' proof of Jesus' divinity in Mere Christianity. In arguing against those who claim Jesus is simply a great moral teacher, Lewis points out that Jesus Himself states that He is the Son of God. Because of what Jesus says, Lewis states we have three options of how to view Jesus:
It is helpful for us to take Jesus' words at face-value as we determine what He is to us, just as it is helpful for Peter and Susan to start thinking about taking Lucy's story as, possibly, the truth. The Professor's CharacterAnother interesting part of this chapter is that the Professor doesn't quite fit in with Susan's idea of an adult. He is able to entertain that there are things beyond what we know and experience in the world on a regular basis. More importantly, the Professor gives Susan and Peter his time freely, and he listens, without interrupting even. What the Professor demonstrates is also known as "pastoral presence". He is actively listening and gets all the information he can before responding. He also shows how much he cares about these children who are his guests by giving them so much of his time. This kind of listening also mirrors the listening that God does with us, as well as God's patience with us. We would do well to listen with the same ear as the Professor then. "Minding Our Own Business"At the end of their discussion, the Professor suggests that "we might all try minding our own business." It turns out that this is very good advice, and it leads to Peter keeping Edmund in check with Lucy. All the children are much happier as a result.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 7, "judge not, least ye be judged." What Susan and Peter are really doing is judging Lucy's honesty. When they stop actively judging Lucy, everyone else is much happier because they can move on forward together as a family. Please note, The Mandalorian is rated TV-14. When The Mandalorian came out, there was a certain image it conveyed. Maybe it was the fact the show was originally rumored to be about the Star Wars underworld. Maybe it was the western theme music. Everything about it seemed to point to the Mandalorian, or Mando as his... acquaintances often call him, being a gun-slinging character in space. With a phenomenal cast and creative direction, I, at least, was ready to roll with it. Then this little guy, a.k.a. Baby Yoda, came into Mando's life and our hearts. Collecting Baby Yoda started out as a job for Mando. But the affect of Baby Yoda caused Mando to do something he'd never done before. He chose not to just walk away with the money. He chose to save the child.
What Mando does is what we Christians like to call repentance. It means a complete turn around of your life. That's exactly what happens with Mando, although some changes are slower than others, just as they are for us. Like Mando, our repentance comes when something new enters our heart. For us, that comes in the form of Baby Jesus. That doesn't mean we instantly change and forgo all our old habits and behaviors, but it does mean we start down the journey of making our lives less about ourselves and more about God, just as Mando makes his life less about himself and more about the child. Just as with Mando, repentance is not something that is easy. Mando's mission to help Baby Yoda puts him in constant trouble and danger. That doesn't mean he quits his mission, and neither do we. From the start of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Edmund has not made a good presentation of himself. In most of the interactions we see him in, he is being cruel to his sister Lucy, the youngest of the four children. He only ends up in Narnia out of an attempt to tease/torment his sister further. Unfortunately for him, this puts him on the path with the cruelest, most dangerous being in Narnia: the White Witch.
For all that Edmund has done and for the low-regard many might have for him at this point in the story, it is interesting to note that Edmund is uneasy and frightened on his first encounter with the White Witch. Lewis even tells us that he does not like the idea of getting in the sledge with the White Witch, but does not dare disobey her. It is also interesting to note that the White Witch is pretty clear about what she thinks of Edmund when they first meet. She despises that he does not call her by her title, "your Majesty", although we should note there is no way Edmund would know to do this. She calls him an "idiot" to his face. She even audibly says to herself that "he is easily dealt with." While her initial tone is cruel, the White Witch then puts on airs of being sweet. She offers Edmund something to drink and something to eat. Both items are clearly enchanted, and as long-time fantasy readers will know, one should never eat or drink anything magic that has been offered by a stranger because the results are never good. The White Witch appears to care, but only so she can learn about Edmund's siblings, and further that there are, in total, four children: two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve. Clearly this is important information to the White Witch, and all she cares about. The food she offers is important as well. Turkish Delight is already something Edmund is clearly fond of. Lewis tells us that the enchantment on this Turkish Delight is such that anyone will continue wanting more and eating it until eventually doing so eventually kills them. It becomes a form of addiction. The Witch Witch then uses flattery, calling Edmund clever and handsome, in stark contrast to her comments before. She even appears helpful by providing Edmund clear directions on how to get back with all his siblings. The final thrust is suggesting that they keep their visit a secret between themselves. Then she discredits anyone who might say bad things about her, for she knows they will. Before he knows it, Edmund has merely become the White Witch's tool. Even though she threatens him saying "you must bring the others with you. I might have to be very angry with you if you came alone", even though there's a little nagging in the back of his mind at how dangerous the White Witch really is, and even though all of this is accompanied by what we can only imagine is the worst stomach ache ever, Edmund is hooked. He wants that Turkish Delight again so bad that he is willing to do anything to get it. It's important to look at the story of Edmund. It might be easy to dismiss what happens to Edmund because he is so cruel at the start of the story, but if we are honest with ourselves, we have all been an Edmund at one point in our lives, even if just for a very brief period. Edmund provides us with a cautionary tale of how evil can get us to do its bidding even when we know something is wrong and even when all our instincts are screaming at us not to listen. It can be particularly easier to be tempted if we are in a dark period of our own lives. Forewarned is forearmed, though. Put yourself in Edmund's shoes so that when you face your White Witch, whatever it may be, you are ready and prepared. Certainly, don't take candy from a stranger or accept food or drink from people you don't really know. Please note, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is rated TV-14 Spoilers Ahead! Before all the events of the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. can occur, the team needs to figure out a way to bring Agent Fitz back.
Fortunately, Enoch had already helped prepare for this moment. Using the team's ventures into the past and their interactions with various S.H.I.E.L.D. members throughout history, Enoch gave various pieces of the machine required to bring Fitz back and precise instructions for where and when to bring them. Enoch has prepared those who have to complete the task after he is gone. Jesus does the same thing. In the Gospel, Jesus prepares the Disciples to go out on their own to give their testimony so that when Jesus has died, resurrected, and ascended, they will be prepared to go out and spread the Good News to the world. Preparation is key, whether in continuing to do God's work in the world or saving the world from sentient robots gone astray. Our task, then is to not only do the work God has given us to do, but to also prepare others to continue that work after we're gone. |
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
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