Bob Nicholas.com

I just watched “Hook” (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102057/) with my boys.  I love this movie.  Peter Pan is a great character and the idea of a grown up Peter Pan who has forgotten who he is was amazing.

Imagine, someone grows up and forgets who they are…..  Not so hard to think of is it.  In today’s world we have people of all ages forgetting who they are.  People focused on success, wealth, sex, possessions, importance, fame, etc.  We work so hard to become who we think we need to be, that we forget who we are. 

Peter Pan in this movie, played by Robin Williams, stayed in the real world to get married and become a dad.  He left Never Never Land and forgot all about who he was.  I think the greatest scene is when he begins to remember who he is and use his imagination, which allows him to see dinner…which moments previous was empty serving trays and plates…but now reveals a feast of great proportion.  Peter is re-learning how to be The Pan. 

Another scene is when Peter finds his happy thought, which allows him to fly.  He can fly, he can fight, he can crow.  He has reclaimed his identity and is again, The Pan.

So who are we?  Who am I?  Am I Peter Pan?  Could it be?  Well, in some ways…yes. 

Remember these:

V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.

V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.

V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

In these we find our identity.  In these simple questions we find who we are, what we believe, and where we are going.

You see I visit Never Never Land frequently so I don’t forget who I am.  I go to Church and attend Mass.  Kneeling there I face Jesus Christ…the ultimate Pan. 

He can fly, He can fight, and oh yes, He can crow. 

I want to remember how it felt when I was Confirmed.  How it felt when I received Christ in the Eucharist for the first time.  How it felt when I said “I do” and received the Grace to be a husband.  I recall these feelings and Graces when I behold Christ in the Eucharist and when I receive.  Going to Mass for me is like standing before the great table of the Lost Boys and seeing all over again the feast laid out for me. 

Christ prepares a banquet table for all of us…the key is seeing through to the supernatural reality of God and not seeing empty vessels of man made bread and wine, but seeing the fullness of life in the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ.

I pray I never grow up.  I don’t ever want to leave Never Never Land and forget who I am…A child of God.  I pray the same for you.

Tonight, tomorrow, or whenever you read this…I pray you also experience the feast of Christ laid out for you.  I pray you remember that you are Peter Pan and you too can fly… can fight… and Errr-uh-errr-uh-errrrrrrrr!!!!

God bless.