Happy Birthday, Luke Skywalker

Star Wars and Spirituality, 070808 (last one)

Today is Luke Skywalker's birthday. Or so my brother tells me. Now, how he would know that when Luke lived a long time ago in a land far, far away is beyond me. But, maybe it was in some extended universe book I never got to.

It serves to remind me that I am very latent on the next Star Wars and Spirituality email. So here goes. Confessional time. I actually watched Episode I with my son the other night. And I hate to say it is growing on me, but certain parts are growing on me.

One totally redeeming, and unique, element of The Phantom Menace (what?) was Qui Gon Gin, played very well to my estimation by Liam Neeson. He was good at patience. Patience is not just your cliched virtue, nor one of the oft overlooked fruits of the spirit, it is a Jedi skill. And one I need to practice.

Novel not getting done, still not making a living off of writing, purchase of house on the brink of falling through? The answer must be patience, because what else could be harder than going through a trial than going through a trial with poise and style and not complaining about it. Having patience, in other words. Not that I have copious amounts of patience, mind you.

So I am looking in the Bible (what?) for verses about patience and I came across this mysteriously interesting verse in Luke (21:19). Jesus is asked about the end times (or the destruction of Jerusalem, or both) by his apostles and he tells them that folk will hate them for loving him, but that he will keep them safe. Then he says this:

"19 By your patience possess your souls."

So profound nothing more needs to be said.

By your patience, possess your souls.

Caleb