If good Star Wars stories are anything, they’re often intentional. Midi-chlorians in organisms allow some to have Force abilities. In the Clone Wars era, Palpatine’s plans are orchestrated with precision and with attention to some of the finest details, bringing about an elaborate militaristic onslaught. Anakin’s betrayal to the Dark Side comes with a reason, an allure of hope for keeping Padme safe. Luke intentionally seeks out Yoda on Dagobah in order to gain wisdom.
All these examples display how the characters of the Star Wars universe – comprising the universe as a whole – operate on a basis of reason. Things happen as a result of intention or instigation. This same aspect is captured in The Mandalorian. In fact, the backbone of this show is a series of undertakings that inevitably build up to one objective: doing what is best for The Child, aka Grogu. At times, this means safeguarding The Child. Other times, it means working toward bringing him to where he belongs – with the Jedi.
Finding a sense of “belonging ” is far from easy, and this is a sense that comes across clearly in the second season of The Mandalorian.
Little “Baby Yoda” seems to be weighed down by anxiety. I suppose you can only be attacked and kidnapped so many times before you see danger lurking around every corner. In the episode “The Jedi,” Ahsoka Tano senses this fear. Perhaps he fears leaving Din Djarin or the threat of being suppressed once again for his Jedi affiliations. Either way, the fact remains that Grogu is reluctant to apply the dedication that his calling requires of him.
A person’s vocation is the specific path which God calls him or her to in order to live a holy life. And holiness, in turn, leads to happiness. Holiness is the goal, and happiness the outcome. The vocation itself, the authentic way of living to which a person is called, is intended by God. Pursuing one’s vocation isn’t always going to be easy. It’s not always going to be clear from our perspective. The future is, in many ways, uncertain. Like Grogu, when called, we can begin to let our fears run the show.
Fr. Brett A. Brannen, in his vocational discernment text To Save a Thousand Souls, discusses the pitfall of fear, saying:
“A basic principle of discernment is that one should never make a decision based on fear. All decisions should be made based on faith, love, and trust in God.”
A well-known Star Wars example of letting fear dictate actions is the case of Anakin’s fall to the Dark Side. He acts out of fear for Padme’s safety; he fears losing the one he loves. Ahsoka senses the fear in Grogu, and she knows full well what it can lead to.
Grogu doesn’t want to concentrate and hone his Force abilities – unless he sees something he desires, or unless he finds himself in a desperate situation. How often is prayer life similar to this? We have these anxieties welling up inside. But only when we desire something in great earnest or find ourselves or a loved one on the brink of despair, do we approach God.
Does it sound familiar? I can definitely relate to it. In trying to pray, it can be hard to be intentional in raising your thoughts and words to God. Maintaining a rich prayer life is a challenge. But this is the universal call to holiness. The struggle is part of growing – just as the Mandalorian’s Child must discover.
In Season 2’s “The Tragedy,” Grogu and Djarin make their way to Tython. It is there that The Child, resting on an ancient stone, communes through the Force, seeking aid from any remnant Jedi. Once Grogu has initiated this, nothing the Mandalorian does will penetrate this communication that The Child has entered into. Needless to say, the whole incident remains incomprehensible to Djarin.
Again, this can be compared to pursuing one’s vocation. Like the Mandalorian, a person trying to pursue his or her vocation – or one who wants to help a person along the path of vocation – does not usually know exactly what God has planned. There is an element of the mysterious. How should we respond? Fr. Brannen supplies a simple guide: trust. Like our faith itself, we must be willing to trust God with our vocation because He is the one who calls us.
Nurturing a prayer life and thus growing in a relationship with Christ, as well as seeking input from a spiritual advisor can help bring clarity.
Following your God-given vocation brings fulfillment and some degree of inner peace. It is a way of life. One could say, This is the way…to holiness and happiness.
John Tuttle
John Tuttle is a Catholic journalist, blogger, and photographer. He has written for Prehistoric Times, Culture Wars Magazine, Those Catholic Men, Catholic Insight, Inside Over, Ancient Origins, Love They Nerd, We Got This Covered, Cultured Vultures, and elsewhere. He can be reached at jptuttleb9@gmail.com.