In the 1977 classic movie “Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope”, 

there is a climactic fight between the wise old Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi 

and his former apprentice, the evil Darth Vader.

It seems the old man is hopelessly outmatched in the fight, 

but he speaks these cryptic words to his opponent: “If you strike me down, 

I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”

When Darth Vader strikes the final blow with his lightsaber, 

seemingly killing Obi-Wan, 

the old man disappears into thin air, 

leaving behind his brown cloak.

What shocks those first watching the film 

Is that this was unexpected: 

where did Obi-Wan’s body go? 

Soon after, though we get a clue: 

a dis-embodied voice commands the hero Luke Skywalker: 

“Run, Luke, Run!” 

In the sequel, “The Empire Strikes Back”, 

we get a clue as to what happened to Obi-Wan.

 He had turned into a force ghost, 

a “Jedi who has preserved their consciousness after death 

and can manifest as a ghostly presence, 

interacting with the living and even manipulating the Force.” 

Only very special Jedi can do this 

as it requires special training and a deep connection 

with the light side of the Force.

So thus Obi-Wan becomes more powerful in his absence 

than ever before, 

as he can appear as a Force Ghost anywhere in the galaxy 

to help and inspire those in need of aid, 

even influencing events.

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, 

has stated that the Force and the Jedi religion 

were inspired by various world religions, 

but probably the closest Christian relationship 

to the concept of Force Ghosts 

is in our Gospel Reading today in John Chapter 14.

In a way, Jesus, like Obi-Wan, 

is proclaiming that in his death, 

he will “become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.” 

He will send the Holy Spirit, 

to help and encourage the believers. 

Even though he is no longer physically present, 

God’s Spirit will be present with the faithful 

and will maintain the relationship to the Divine.

—-

It is the night of the Last Supper;

The final conversation between Jesus and his disciples continues

And the disciples are struggling to comprehend 

the turn of events,

That the end is near,

And that Jesus will very soon die.

What we and the disciples need to understand was that

Jesus was leaving but he wouldn’t leave us alone!

We may be orphans now but we have a heavenly parent 

who will take care of us through the Spirit!

 

Jesus reminds us that

God will make a home with us: 

He promises that there will be no separation from God

He will make a dwelling place not just in the hereafter

but even now!

Jesus is staying with us. 

Abiding with us.

It seems to be a paradox, a contradiction, when Jesus says:

V28 “I am going away and I am coming to you!”

But in Jesus’ absence, he will be closer than ever before 

as he can be all places at once 

and is not limited by a physical body.

This is possible because God the Father so loved the world,

Without conditions, without prerequisites,

And because God loves from close up, 

not from a distance

God takes the time to take on flesh, 

become human, become incarnate,

And love us in the form of the Son.

—

The answer to the problem of absence and separation is love.

Love transcends all distances, all obstacles, 

even death itself.

And loving shapes behaviours.

One can see that in the love between a parent and a child 

Between spouses;

That over time, love lived out through word and deed,

In serving and helping and supporting,

Love can improve and change and strengthen the relationship.

But it takes two to tango:

V23 

As Jesus says: “Those who love me will keep my word !”

Being a disciple of Jesus means you are in relationship 

with him and the Father,

And so we love them in return,

And we need to live with one another,

Keep the commandments,

Hold fast to God’s word, 

Because Jesus is known through the Word 

and experienced in love.

It all goes hand in hand:

Love God, love neighbour, keep God’s word, 

because God the Father loves us!

 

And the most amazing thing is that

Jesus leaves a parting gift in his death:

V26 

He tells his disciples: 

“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name 

will teach you everything 

and remind you of all that I have said to you”.

Now the word sometimes translated as Paraclete,

Is like a defense attorney,

Or an Advocate, a representative who stands beside, 

comforts and helps in court proceedings.

—When we don’t know where to turn: 

amidst the anxieties and uncertainties of life,

The Holy Spirit is there to stand beside us and comfort us,

And stand up for us.

When we’re lost and need help, 

we can pray for the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit 

will provide, encourage and console.

The Holy Spirit will connect us with Jesus, 

both as individuals and as community,

Not just at the end of the days, but today as well.

And the Spirit will have us to understand what God has done.

She will help us re-member

Put the pieces together of our faith life.

Just like for the disciples who struggled to understand 

what Jesus was about,

The Holy Spirit helps us grasp the full meaning of salvation:

Of how God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.

The Holy Spirit inspires us

in liturgy, the preaching and the sacraments,

As well as prayer, singing and conversation,

Pointing us to God’s glory revealed in Jesus.

 

And so…

May the communion and fellowship of the Holy Spirit, 

the Comforter, the Advocate, be with you all, 

and remind you of Jesus’ presence and indwelling with you 

now and always. Amen.