I was in a silly mood this morning while corresponding with a friend about young students wanting direct answers from their profs. It got me thinking about my own academic and spiritual journey. My five-year-old son has become a Star Wars fanatic, and many conversations in our home are now conducted now with a Yoda voice. So in my best Yoda imitation, here is my response to a younger me.
Right answers seek you?
Truth. Very difficult.
Much confusion in the world there is.
Through a glass darkly many facts we cannot know.
Answers maybe not helpful.
Dogmatic world: someways easy.
But too much they deny.
In fear many live.
Stuck in past they are, but no more sense all makes today. Some yes.
But too much Good News dogma misses.
Even here, only guesses we can offer.
Try we do.
But reality are they?
A much bigger world there is.
Like Peter, where else go we? The Dark Side?
Much worse it is.
In faithful community refuge seek.
The deeper Wisdom, very hard for you now, my Padawan.
I know. I know. Hmmmm…
But your feelings you must probe.
Why? OK to ask.
Trust God you must.
Faithful to Jesus you can be.
Through fresh eyes, the Bible read we.
To others listen.
Different cultures understand.
Marginalized reach out to.
Touch them.
Loving, you must become.
For Peace, Jesus ask.
Answers? Not so much.
More knowledge? Maybe.
First, much suffering you will have.
Much pride from you he must remove.
Till you become as a child.
In openness and humility, solutions lie.
Your fear, he must conquer.
Your questions, he must change.
Deeper Wisdom, he will give.
But much time it takes.