Anakin’s Full Repentence

Years ago, there was an amazing English teacher in my high school that treated us students a bit differently – like people who could think analytically and judge the merits of ideas and experiences. I think I did some of my best academic work for him, and quite often, Mr Wentworth comes to mind when I am contemplating Anakin’s ultimate end (for now) on the Second Death Star. Mr Wentworth questioned how redemption was offered and possible for Anakin at the end of his life since most of his life had been in the service of darkness and evil. It is indeed a tough question. Does it give us the possibility of living a terribly immoral life and stealing a space in Heaven through a few words? If so, then where is the motivation for goodness in this world? I think the answer is much deeper and existential.

Tauntauns are Awesome

The third storm is hitting us in the Northeast.  They say that it is the third storm, but it feels like it has been snowing since Thanksgiving - or maybe even Labor Day.  I go outside, and I am hit with subzero temperatures and snow deeper than my boots.  But that is how it goes here in the Finger Lakes.  We knew what we signed up for when we moved here.  But I could use some help going about my daily business. 

CWK: Luke Returns Home as a Man and a Jedi

For your reading enjoyment, here is my post from Coffee With Kenobi that was published a few weeks ago.  

In my first regular post, let’s just get this out there.  My favorite character is Luke.  In an age where many are rooting for the underdog and cheering for the peripheral characters, I am a fan of the New Hope to the bitter end.  There is just something about his life, his journey and his lineage that calls to me.  And there is something that calls me out of myself – out of my comfortable world to something greater.
This calling is innate in all of us.  It calls us from our childish states to a greater maturity.  Luke heard this call and left his home in order to fulfill his greater purpose as the emerging heir to the Jedi.

Are the Sith Admirable?

Here is a conversation I had recently on Facebook with a friend.  It was a lot of fun, and I hope you find some benefit in it.  These Sith lovers, sheesh. 

Darth Jersey:  The Sith Empire has a lot of good to it.
1. Structure
2. Discipline
3. The ability to feel.
4. Jedi deny human emotion and the ability to love.
5.Respect for Authority
6.All teachings out of Sith Teachings are anathema
7. There is a judgment day for those who are loyal and unloyal.
8. Love of Empire above all else.
9. Master/Apprentice relationship. One must learn while finding his/her own path. The ways of the teacher at times are always not correct, so the student must come to realization on his own to become his master and to excel beyond.

Good Morning! Nice of You to Drop By!

Some things have an odor from the outside - and you find out that the stink even more on the inside.  Every relationship has ups and downs.  If you think that any relationship - marriage, family or friendships - is all fun and games, you are kidding yourself.  True and lasting relationships are built on hard work and the willingness to stick with the other through the worst of times.  Through this, the best of times are even better.  

Losing Hands

During today's service, I read the Gospel of Matthew 5.29-30:  

"If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Father's Day gift for your favorite blogger?

            Hands.  What an iconic image within our favorite franchise.  Lots of people lose their hands.  Anakin and Luke - but also Mace Windu in the magnificent showdown between the Jedi and Sith Orders.  There are also the losses suffered by Count Dooku, Panda Baba, Grievous and other beings.  Now that you have all of those images brought back to mind, let's move on.  They can lose power when a hand is cut off, or lose a bar fight, or lose an identity.  In all times, this loss has the potential to lead to a deeper understanding of the universe.

From Tatooine to the Force; From Earth to Heaven

Last Thursday was 40 days since Pascha, called Easter by most of our neighbors in the English speaking world.  On the 40th day, we celebrate the Ascension of Christ, from earth to Heaven.  Here is the account in the Acts of the Apostles.

     The work that Jesus had to do was completed, and it was time for the next step in salvation history.  When it was finished, as he had mentioned on the cross, he ascended back to sit at the right hand of the Father.  He went back from whence he came.  This was done for many reasons, among them being the salvation of all humankind.