May the Fourth is celebrated as “Star Wars Day” among fans, referencing the iconic line “May the Force be with you.” On this day, let’s explore the Jedi heresy: Was Yoda truly right when he declared, “Do or do not, there is no try”?
In “The Empire Strikes Back,” Yoda imparts this seemingly absolute wisdom to young Luke Skywalker. But let’s dissect it further:
- The Yoda Conundrum:
- Yoda insists that trying is futile; one must either succeed or fail outright.
- But life, whether in our world or a galaxy far, far away, is filled with gray areas and liminal spaces. There are in-betweens, becomings, and efforts en route to achieving something.
- Isn’t “trying” a prerequisite to doing? After all, we’re not all Jedi Masters.
- The Dialogue with My Kids:
- Each morning, I engage in a playful call-and-response with my children:
- Me: “What are you going to do today?”
- Kids: “Listen. Learn lots. Do ‘good great.’”
- One day, my child earnestly replied, “I’ll try!”—much like Luke Skywalker when faced with a new challenge.
- Yoda’s stern response to Luke was, “No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no ‘try.’”
- Each morning, I engage in a playful call-and-response with my children:
- Yoda vs. Jesus:
- Jesus, in contrast, doesn’t say, “Try to love your neighbors,” but rather, “Love your neighbors.” (Matthew 22)
- So, was Yoda’s absolutism contrary to Jesus’ teachings?
- My Conclusion: Yoda Was Wrong:
- Life isn’t binary. Trying matters. Effort matters.
- Perhaps Yoda’s dogmatic stance doesn’t align with the complexities of our existence.
- As a practicing Catholic, I believe in continual pursuit, not just absolutes.
In the end, Yoda’s wisdom may have been flawed. So, let’s embrace the gray areas, try earnestly, and may the Force guide us on our journey! 🌌
