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	THE DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE

The Gospel

MATTHEW 25:41-46

Then the king will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

The Media -- "Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens" (beginning session)

The Force as defined by Star War enthusiasts is an energy field that connects all living things in the galaxy. The power of the Force could be used by individuals who were sensitive to it and the most famous Force-sensitive people in the Star War series were no doubt Luke Skywalker and his father Darth Vader. The Force can be used by those who are sensitive to it for good or evil. In the movie "Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens," the good is personified especially in the scavenger known simply as Rey; the bad is personified in Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren chose the evil, even though his mother Princess Leia and father Han Solo were people who chose the good. In the movie, Kylo Ren tried to resurrect the evil part of his grandfather Darth Vader to overcome the Resistance led by his mother.

[Readers may be interested in the other meditation on this movie. It is presented in these meditations under movies as Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens 2*]
Many are familiar with the old Cherokee legend of the "Two Wolves." The grandson asked his grandfather about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Kylo Ren fed the force of evil within him. He wanted the power and the automatic superiority that comes from being able to choose who can live and who cannot. It became the spirit of his life, allowing the dark side of the Force to dominate his thinking so that his thoughts and actions became those of a truly evil person.

If we had to label the definition of a truly evil person, it would probably have something to do with that person's desire never to give to another or give in to another. Selfless giving is something foreign to a person dedicated to the evil way. Jesus understood our human natures very well, and in his closing story in Matthew's Gospel, defines the person who will be set to punishment as a person that could not give of him/herself on behalf of another: "You gave me no..." the king begins his condemning sentence.

Perhaps more than anything, the ability to give to another in a selfless way is the essence of a person who is good. If we manage to bring in about, our world and our relationships will be fruitful.

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, Your Son's story of the ability to give to others is the centerpiece of our moral behavior. Give us the grace to recognize when we are not giving of ourselves the way we should. Be with us, we pray.

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: When we choose the evil part of The Force, it can never bring peace to our hearts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 63 minutes)
1. What scene from this session of movie is most striking and why?
2. In the Gospel, the criterion for judgment is mercy that is not shown to one of the "least ones." What act of mercy is most neglected in our world?
3. In your opinion, who are "the least ones" in Jesus' story?
4. Project: Go through each of the description of the Evil and Good in the story of the "Two Wolves" and identify a person that is a good example of each of the characteristics. (Do not use personal examples.)
5. As you study history, is there someone who is truly evil and is therefore in hell? Why or why not?
6. Give your own definition of "selfless giving."
7. The ability to truly give to another in a selfless way is a characteristic of a truly good person. Give three other characteristics of such a person.
8. Analysis: the movie begins (and continues throughout) with violence that ends up killing a number of people. In your opinion, does this type of violence affect our young people who view the movie in an adverse way? Yes or no and why?
9. Scene analysis: Finn does not take part in the killing, an act that can easily be compared to being a "conscientious objector." What is your opinion about people who refuse to go to war?
10. Analysis: What is your opinion of "deserters" from the military?
11. Scene analysis: Kylo Ren shows his anger and rage at the loss of the scavenger and droid. Why is anger part of the dark side?
12. Scene analysis: Kylo Ren "prays" to be free from the light side of the Force. This is an example of feeding the evil part of himself. In what other ways do evil people feed themselves with evil?

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike