|
Do the words “People who are what they is, and not what they is not, they…are the happiest lot!”, ring a bell? Can’t place them? The sound a little familiar, but seem to reside in the hidden recesses of yesteryear’s memory? How about, “drizzle, drazzle, drizzle, drome, time for this one to come home”? Ah, those words are words many baby boomers can recall. Those are the words that were usually spoken after these, “Help Mr. Wizard!”. Those words were usually the words of rescue for a little anthropomorphic turtle named Tooter, or Tudor. He was the main character of a cartoon series that first ran in 1959-60. It was later syndicated and ran with the Tennessee Tuxedo cartoons. The main thrust of the cartoon, in a day when cartoons had points and morals, was to be satisfied with your lot in life, do not wander too far into the adventures of others, when such choices were quite risky. Tooter lived for that. He always found himself in trouble, free-falling toward calamity, when his call to Mr. Wizard brought his immediate rescue. The show always ended with the happy ending of Tooter coming home safe and sound, saying there is no place like home, and living to experience a new adventure next episode
The picture in the bulletin paints a similar picture. It is the 1800 year old statue of Marcus Aurilius on his horse. It is a guilded bronze statue that has stood in the square in Rome for hundreds of years. It has stood on the pedestal created for it by Michaelangelo. In l983 the statue, damaged by the traffic fumes of Automobiles in Rome, had to be taken off the pedestal. Archaeologists, scientists, and artists debated how to restore it. Finally after restoration and renewal they debated what to do with it. Some said, “put it right back on the pedestal”. Some didn’t want to risk another fall or damage. Others said, “put it out of the way, where it is not so exposed” Others said, “put it in a museum and protect it!”. Finally, it was recomissioned to fulfill its original purpose. Today’s message deals with that very issue. Does God, after we have fallen off the pedestal, give us a second chance? Does He restore us? Replace us? Recomission us? Jonah’s message is indeed one we need to hear and heed today. |
