Star Wars Themes: Family

(Some spoilers for Star Wars:  The Rise of Skywalker here.)

When he designed the original Star Wars trilogy, George Lucas included a number of themes that speak to the basic concerns of humanity.  Although set “a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,” the protagonists are human beings dealing with universal human concerns.  One of these is family.

In a similar way, the Bible tells the story of family--a biological family as well as the family of God.  Starting out with Abram and Sarai, we learn the stories of a very dysfunctional family.  They have problems with procreation, brother fights against brother, brothers sell a brother into slavery, and brother redeems and forgives.  The book of Genesis might well be titled “Observations of a Dysfunctional Family.”  The contention of sibling against sibling as well as rebellion against the Heavenly Father fills the rest of the Hebrew Bible.

The Star Wars saga provides a similar picture that begins with the prequels or “first three episodes.”  Anakin Skywalker is raised by a single mother.  Although adopted by a Jedi master, he returns home to find his mother dying at the hands of Tusken Raiders.  Falling in love with Padmé Amidala, he enters into a secret, forbidden marriage and his obsession becomes the ability to protect her and his children, avoiding the loss that he experienced with his mother.  This leads to his conversion to the Dark Side and the loss of his family.  

In the second trilogy, Luke and Leia grew up without their parents but are reunited to lead the Rebellion against their father, Darth Vader, and his patron, the Emperor. Victorious, Leia finds love with Han Solo.  Luke, Leia, Han, and the droids become a new family.

As the third trilogy begins, Han and Leia are separated not only from each other, but from their son, Ben, who has become known as Kylo Ren, who follows the path of his grandfather, Darth Vader, to the Dark Side.  Rey, a young orphan, is introduced and has only fleeting memories of her parents and no family ties.  She becomes part of a new family that includes Fenn, Poe, Chewbacca, and the Skywalkers (and the droids plus one).  Ben commits patricide and forms a bond with Rey.  Eventually Ben finds redemption at the cost of his life and Rey discovers her true parentage.  

In Matthew 12:47-49, we read: “Someone told [Jesus], ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers.’”  Although not completely repudiating his biological family, Jesus has chosen to become part of a new family.  This is the core of something new, the family of God, which will eventually become the church.

 

At the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Rey chooses to become part of a new family and takes on a new name.  She knows her biological roots but embraces a new identity based on what she truly values.

 

Although we may know our biological lineage and celebrate our family heritage, we make choices about who will be our family--the group that defines us.  We have been given an opportunity to become part of a new family under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  We create family, invest in these relationships, and support one another in times of need.  In so doing, we become who God created us to be.