The land of OZ and the land of Babel
What do the Land of Oz and the land of Babel have in common? Is it the dazzling flash of blinding brilliance of shimmering silver and gold? How about the horse of a different color? Maybe it’s the tower of Oz and the tower of Babel? The Wizard occupied the tower of Oz and Nimrod occupied the tower of Babel, yes? Both rulers were feared and adored by their people. Isn’t that a similarity? Both were the center of their respective cities. Were they also cursed for their spectacular abundance of brilliance and wealth or were they praised by the Most High? One witch threatened a town while the other was held in blasphemy. What about the metropolis of our time… the labyrinth in which we reside? Is there a lesson to learn? Could we mortal mothers possibly understand the teachings of children?
Take a lesson…
On Friday the 27th of 2011, my granddaughter, Gianni, participated in a Kindergarten play/production. The school he attends is a Christian academic institution. The caricature of her was “Glinda” the good witch of the north. Needless to say, the story was from the 1939 book and movie, “The Wizard of Oz.” The Children did an excellent performance. The audience was also very kind… parents and grandparents, and other spectators enjoyed the show. The cast of characters was spectacular. Five, six, and possibly seven year olds paraded down the roving yellow brick walkway, which circled the auditorium/gymnasium and dining room. Cameras of all kinds took, recorded and appeared from everywhere. The fear of missing out on the nostalgia (and memory) of the moment swept through the air like a sale at the JC Penny clearance show. The excitement could be felt from the top of the building to the bottom.
Finally, the curtain parted to reveal the creative geniuses to the anxious audience. The thunder of applause and the gasp of amazement gave way to non-descript cries from the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and cousins: the ‘men’ simply smiled with approval and pride.
The cast of characters was made up of ‘Jymeer’, ‘Rebecca’, ‘Jacqueline’, ‘Timothy’, ‘Bret’, ‘Anwar’, ‘Morgan’, ‘Christian’, ‘Joey’, ‘William’. ‘Amanda’, ‘Raya’, ‘Evelyn’, ‘Ameer’, ‘John’, ‘Gianni’, ‘Zephorah’ and ‘Davaughn’ were just amazing! Many of us are aware, through the movie (and possibly the book), of the exploits of “Tin Woodsman”, “Scarecrow”, “the Cowardly Lion”, “Dorothy” and “Toto”. Do you remember the goodness of “Glinda” and the “Munchkins” happy, cheerful and gratefully released? How about the sneaky, cunning, boisterous “Wizard/Professor Marvel”? Didn’t Auntie Em’s complacency (Uncle Henry scratched his head) annoy you when Dorothy tried to say something to her?
He made many attempts to convey the fact that “Something evil is coming this way!” But they wouldn’t listen, would they? They all thought “this girl is crazy!” It took events to happen for them to perhaps understand that everything we need, whether it be relationships, financial stability, livelihood, and yes… life itself, begins with faith in God, and not faith in Man or God. Idiot. It is God who placed us all on the path of the “yellow brick road” of life. He is up to us to do the right things and love one another…yet we judge and criticize while we are the ones to be judged.
The characters in the story had to follow the Yellow Brick Road to reach the Wizard. They sought out the Wizard to fulfill their wish(s) for him. The road to perdition is flawed – you wouldn’t get there…it’s a dead end. The deep, dark soil of the forest is dangerous. It is full of falsehoods, anti-gods, demons, devils and witches. The ‘Wicked Old Witch’ tried to kill, destroy and prevent the group of good intentions from achieving her dreams and desires. Could we equate the “Yellow Brick Road” with the road to salvation? Isn’t it quoted in the Bible that it was Jesus who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me?” (John 14:6) Where are you headed in this world of Metropolis?
Which path do you use to reach your desired destination? How about the way of war, invasion and annihilation? Didn’t it take ‘Glinda’, the good witch, the guardian angel who watches over the company, to keep them on the right track?
The Scarecrow searched for a brain in the land of Oz. Wouldn’t he agree that God gave us all a brain with the potential for great wisdom? “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
The Tin Woodman wanted a heart. What would you do if you had no heart? Every day people do not show love for each other. What happened to “We The People”? Politicians constantly attack what they disagree on: the president wishes good things for the people of this American metropolis, while his colleagues focus on hate, wealth, lust and contempt. Is it possible for God to change the hatred in the hearts of men and women? “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take away from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
The Lion wanted courage. Do we derive our value from the knowledge of God? Isn’t he the one who is always with us, protecting us? When we begin to understand this and create and practice courage, the more courage we will have to sustain our own existence on this planet to stand up for what is right, regardless of the enemy or the challenge. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or frightened because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Dorothy wanted to go home. “There is no place like home!” Your home is your castle, no one dares to disrespect you, right? I wonder…with all the foreclosures, relocations, bankruptcies, floods, insurance schemes and scams, hunger and job loss after job loss; politicians want to eradicate Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Unions, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Welfare while shipping our jobs overseas to enrich us (avoiding the taxman with shelters and low overhead, it’s i.e. decent wages for workers). They don’t want to contribute their fair share while supporting the tax increase for you and me. They tell you your future is secure…”only against increased contributions – we need your money” – no matter if you receive UC, SS or any other supplemental or residual income…it’s TAXABLE! The only power is OPM (Other Peoples Money). There is no place like home…? I don’t think I’ll live anywhere other than the good old USA – what are they doing to people in other countries? Do you remember Zarganar? What about the atrocities happening in Mother Africa, Asia, Egypt, and oh yes, throughout the Middle East, as well as a few other unmentionable societies? It is said that we have the perfect home waiting for us in heaven, while we shit on it. This world IS NOT OUR HOME – WE ARE ONLY RENTERS – WE ARE HERE TEMPORARILY! “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord lives, OUR GOD (Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and any other religious denomination).” (Philippians 3:20)
Let me tell you about Babel… the Earth, the Tower.
“Come, let us build a tower whose top reaches to the stars! And on the top of the tower we will write the words: Great is the World and its Creator! And great is Man!”
But the minds that had conceived the tower of Babel could not build it. The task was too big. So they hired labor in exchange for wages. But the hands that built the tower of Babel knew nothing of the dream of the brain that had conceived it. Thousands upon thousands sweated, bled and died. One man’s hymns of praise became another man’s curses. People spoke the same language, but they couldn’t understand each other…
The head and the hands were not in cohesion, one dominating the other subjective. Great is the world and its Creator and great is Man – “The Head and the hands needed a mediator!”
The brain behind the dream was unable to control/contain the hired hand(s)… and began to sow discord between the head and the hand(s) – divide and rule. Lust and the desire to contain and control – repress, oppress, possess and cause hatred… soon caused the tower to crumble and crumble – into the dust from which it came.
Pay attention and be careful (powers that be)… the seven deadly sins (anger, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony) – Greed is the main practice of many governments and their so-called leaders – greed, lust and gluttony. Does all this sound familiar to you… lately? The prominent lifestyles of the rich, the famous, the political beggars and the warmongers will be their/their/our downfall. These symptoms have occurred numerous times, have they not?
“Let the workers do as they please… let those in the deep use force and do evil, so that we may be justified in using force against them… behold a New Order!” World!”
Among us, a mediator whose number is forty-four. They will try to destroy (our) belief in him. Who is the heart? Peace be your name (some call Yashua, Jesus and the Christ). “O mediator, show them (head and hands) the way to each other…!”
The children continue to show us the way. Ask them if the skin color of their friend(s) matters – watch them play, sing, eat, run, sleep, laugh and hug for no reason or reason – see them entertain with their genius and zeal, the cohesion of love, faith and mutual trust while being protected from evil, animosity and hate in this land between Oz and Babel.
Take a lesson.
Until next time…