Star Wars, St. Paul, and Abby Johnson

It was 1978 and I was close to finishing up second grade.  My family and I had gone to the local mall to do some shopping.  My brother and I must have been driving my parents nuts because they made the decision to have us watch a movie while they shopped in peace.  They bought us tickets to the latest blockbuster, Star Wars.  From the moment Darth Vader appeared in the first five minutes of the film, I was hooked.  I have been a sucker for anything “Star Wars” ever since.

          Last week, I was listening to a show called “A Catholic Take on Star Wars” in honor of “May the 4th Be with You”.  The hosts, Dr. Michael Barber and Dr. Scott Hefelfinger, helped me realize that my love for the movie goes much deeper than the incredible special effects (at least they were incredible in 1978.  Not so much now.)  They argued that the primary reason the movie resonated with so many people was its universal message of hope, self-sacrifice, and redemption.  

The obvious example of redemption in the series is Anakin Skywalker as he turns to the dark side, becomes the ultimate villain Darth Vader, and then, at the last possible moment, is redeemed by a single act of self-sacrifice. 

  In addition to Anakin, Dr. Hefelfinger brought my attention to a less obvious but equally vital redemption arc in the character of Han Solo.  When we first meet Han at the beginning of Episode IV, we see a character who is completely wrapped up in his own self-interest.  If he had a personal motto, it would be “What’s in it for me?”.  Star Wars was made in the 1970’s also known as the ”Me Decade” because of its focus on “looking out for number one”.  Han Solo is the epitome of this era.  His redemption occurs as he is exposed to the virtue of Luke and Leia and the self-sacrifice of Obi Wan Kenobi.  By the end of the movie, he has had a conversion of sorts and is willing to risk his life to save Luke as well as the entire rebel alliance.

In addition to being the “Me Decade”, the 70’s were full of cynicism.  It was no wonder that audiences fell in love with this story of virtue and hope.  Both Solo and Vader continue to be great reminders that no one is beyond redemption.

This same message of redemption played out in a recent mass reading (Acts 9:1-20).  I read about a man named Saul who was rounding up every Christian he could find and having them executed.  While on his way to Damascus to uncover even more Christians, he was literally knocked off his horse and had an encounter with Jesus that changed everything.  Saul was instantly converted and became the great apostle, St. Paul.  It was completely unexpected and a miraculous example of the power of God to redeem anyone.  

This made me wonder if people still believe that St. Paul’s story is relevant now? In this day and age where people seem so set in their opposition (or ambivalence) to God and all that is good, are there still Saul’s who become St. Paul’s?  Fortunately for us and our world, the answer is most definitely “yes”.

My favorite contemporary “St.Paul” is a woman by the name of Abby Johnson.  You may know her from the movie, Unplanned, which tells her own redemption story. Abby began working at Planned Parenthood after college and eventually rose to the rank of clinic director of an abortion facility in Texas.  She did such a good job that she received national recognition from Planned Parenthood.  But everything changed the day that Abby was called on to assist with an ultrasound-guided abortion.  While she watched the monitor during this procedure and saw the baby’s life ended, she was rocked by the reality of abortion and knew she would never be the same again.

Soon after, she made a surprise visit to the headquarters of a local pro-life group called 40 Days for Life to seek their help.  The staff in the office could not believe their eyes.  Was this some sort of trick or was Abby being genuine?  Their reactions were probably the same as those early Christians who were tasked with helping St. Paul immediately after his conversion.  Like those early Christians, the 40 Days for Life group ultimately embraced her with openness and love.  Abby experienced the healing she needed and her faith in Jesus’ power to redeem grew.  She began to tell her story and eventually became one of the most effective pro-life advocates of the last decade.  

Her message (and the message of 40 Days for Life) is one of love---love for the mothers contemplating abortion, love for the mother’s who have had abortions (of which Abby is one), and even love for those who work at the abortion facilities.  She is a living testament to hope and redemption in a time that is sorely in need of it.  She is a reminder as well that we should never give up on anyone.  If you are tempted to give up on someone in your life, don’t.  Remember how Jesus worked in your own life to bring redemption.  Then, keep praying, keep sacrificing, and keep loving that person and trust in God’s power to heal even those who seem furthest from Him.

*** For More information on Abby Johnson, watch the movie Unplanned or read her book by the same title.  Her website is: 

Abby Johnson – Be not afraid to be countercultural

References:

“A Catholic Take on Star Wars”

What is a Catholic take on Star Wars? | A Catholic Explanation - Bing video