Welcome all, whether it be morning, afternoon, evening, or night, to today’s Live Service.
I’d like to begin with a moment or two of silence, during which I’d like you all to find a serene and tranquil place within yourselves, and just breathe.
…
May the Force be with us all…
It’s been talked about before, and it’ll get talked about again; I’d like to start out this sermon by talking about the Bystander Effect (also called Bystander’s Apathy)…
“A social psychological phenomenon that refers to cases in which individuals do not offer any means of help to a victim when other people are present. The probability of help is inversely related to the number of bystanders. In other words, the greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one of them will help.”
(It’s because of this that, in CPR classes, they teach you to point to one person in particular and tell them to call emergency services before going to work on trying to help; when singled out and told to do it, it breaks that mentality.)
From experience, the same sort of thinking that happens when falling to the bystander effect isn’t exclusive to when there are other people around; it’s easy enough to see something going on, even as the only person around, and think “Oh, someone else will pass by and take care of it soon enough.”
Anyone is susceptible to this, even Jedi; we’re human, we have limits. I’m not bringing this up because of anything that’s happened around the Temple, or anything anyone here has done. No one is in trouble (as if I could be the one shaking a finger at anyone!).
I bring this up because it pays to be reminded of it from time to time, to be aware of it, so as to avoid falling victim to it, or allowing others to.
There may be times during our lives when we really are the only one around “on time” (at just the right time) to help. To prevent something bad from happening to someone or prevent something from getting worse in a situation. We may be the only one willing or able to help. It would be best that we remain present enough to act, so we may actually be helpful.
We may not always be able to solve the problem, make it okay, or save the day, but we can always be a helping hand if we’re willing, whether it be a big catastrophe or simply being there as an open ear. So please, keep this in mind. You could be someone’s only hope, the last person they reach to for help, and not even know it.
So, I implore you; hold to our Creed, particularly the first stanza. You may get the chance to be someone’s light in the dark. Take the chance.
I apologize for the brevity of this service, but that is for good reason. I don't believe expounding on this will do it any real justice; this is, more or less, a "call to arms" against the tendency to remain idle when there is something we could otherwise be doing to someone's benefit.
So, if you will, please follow me in a recitation of our Creed.
I am a Jedi, an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred I shall bring love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
I am a Jedi.
I shall never seek so much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
The Force is with me always, for I am a Jedi.
Thank you all for coming and listening today. This service is concluded. May the Force be with you all.
