“What a precious little creature. I can see why you didn’t want to harm a hair on its wrinkled, little head.” - Greef Carga from The Mandalorian
 
If you’ve tuned into the news or social media, you’ve likely heard of the newest fad taking the internet by storm, a baby alien from the Star Wars universe lovingly called “Baby Yoda.” It is easy to see why this creature with big ears and brown eyes from the show, The Mandalorian, has won the hearts of many. After all, who doesn’t love a baby?
 
In the Old Testament, stories were often used to convey the truths about God. As creatures, we need stories to better understand a God so above us and incomprehensible, we can only begin to wonder at His greatness. Even secular shows like The Mandalorian, can be used to show us and others the beauty of God. In this show, a bounty hunter is tasked to find a child (who is not really the infant Yoda) and deliver him to a client. On arrival, he quickly realizes that his purpose for this adorable baby alien, is not good. He does the unthinkable for a bounty hunter and backs out of the agreement stealing back the child. The rest of the show displays the Mandalorian’s valiant efforts to protect this innocent child while countless numbers attempt to bring him back to the man destined to hurt him.
 
Alright, so what does this have to do with us? Well, as I mentioned before, “Baby Yoda” has taken the internet by storm. Young people in particular are enthralled with those big eyes and from this story, also are brought to cheer on and defend the child. What attracts them? The protection of the innocent. There is something inherently attractive about defending the helpless. From knights in the middle ages, to the fictional Mandalorian in our own time, by nature we are drawn to protect and defend. This show serves to inspire that.
 
This is the language that the youth of today speak. Memes, cuteness, laughter, and TV shows. While it is easy to condemn our young people, and many unfortunately, do this, it is NOT the message of the Gospel. We do not turn any hearts to God when our own hearts are full of negativity. In the Old Testament, the stories they told to convey the stories of God reflected their own times and made sense to the people of the day. As we read the same stories today, we often need help understanding the message and Word of God when stories of shepherds no longer make sense to modern readers. If we expect to reach the people of today, we must also be willing to do the same thing by telling stories of God in our own words. Catholic writer JRR Tolkien did just this in his books, “The Lord of the Rings.”
 
Reading this article, you might have noticed almost a pro-life theme from the Mandalorian as it centers around fighting for an innocent child. While young adults may not sense this same theme, they are still taking it in and falling in love with the innocence shown from Baby Yoda’s actions and smile. Part of our job in evangelization is not only reaching people of all ages, but meeting them where they are. This can involve new stories, but it can also involve stories that are already present. Some people may be won by cold facts, but even in a world as technologically developed as ours, many people still adamantly claim there is no life in the womb. Some even reject the idea that we are either male or female, despite the fact that our very bodies convey this fact. For this reason, it is now more important than ever to reach them through other means.
 
Baby Yoda is not the only story out there. After all, fads come and go. However, he is one way to talk to people about life and what an incredible message on the defense of life. From there, we can form a conversation, a dialogue, NOT an argument. This cannot be done by looking down on people or their interests. We do this by listening, and maybe even spending five minutes with someone as they scroll through a hundred Baby Yoda memes on their phone. Love is authentic, and people will listen to love.
 
By our baptismal promises we are all called to be priest, prophet, and king. We are all called to evangelize. So go out, not only proclaiming the exact story of Christ, but also telling his story in our modern age. The Truth never changes, but how we convey that Truth to others must always be willing to change and adapt. You don’t have to share the same interests as those around you, just be willing to listen and find Christ in everything they say and do. With this mindset, even an imaginary baby alien can convey Christ.