As I said at the beginning of Mass, today is the 80th anniversary of the release of the classic film Wizard of Oz. To help you get into the mood of the movie, I would like to share a modern version of the academy award winning song that is listed as the most popular movie song of all time: .
Oo---- ---
Somewhere ov-er the rainbow… way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of
Once in a lulla-by----, ----.
Oh some-where over the rain-bow skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true---, ----.
Dorothy sings that song longing for a place that is perfect, with no problems, no tensions. That is, somewhere over the rainbow . . . she will find peace.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind….. me----.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where…. you'll find me oh.
Some-where over the rain-bow…bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't…. I----? I----?
Why can’t I. It sounds a lot like the guy complaining in the gospel who says, “God let me into heaven. I’ve done all the right things. I’ve said all the right prayers, let me in.” And Jesus says that the gate is narrow . . . sort of like a YELLOW BRICK ROAD, windy and leading through all sorts of temptations and obstacles.
When I asked you to name your favorite character, I think that an oft neglected KEY character is the dog, TOTO. The word toto in Latin means “with, or entirely, or everything.” What we forget is that Toto is key to the whole story
Throughout the movie,
Dorothy has conversations with Toto, who could be seen as her inner intuitive self.
Toto represents the inner, intuitive, instinctual, most animal-like part of everyone.
Toto doesn’t let the meanness capture him (i.e. Miss Gulch taking him in a basket), but escapes.
Toto was always right, seeing good in the oddest people, like the scarecrow.
Toto first recognizes the fraud that Oz is, just a man behind a curtain.
Toto escapes again at the end of the movie, forcing Dorothy to name her true source of happiness . . .
something that she always had.
I would like to suggest that Toto represents more than just a dog, but is the little spark of inner wisdom that we all have. That little bit of God presence, which Jesus references when he says that the last ones (the little ones) will be the first ones.
I would say that we all have a little bit of Toto inside us.
That is, that inner intelligent voice that knows right from wrong.
That doesn’t put up with meanness, that leaves a situation or a relationship that is harmful
That sees the good in the oddest people. Especially as you kids and teens start school soon, don’t allow others’
Judgements to overtake you. Go talk to that kid that seems odd. Go bring out their goodness.
Or don’t be fooled by those who are all smoke and mirrors, that frauds. Perhaps confront them, help them become more authentic.
Or maybe it’s recognizing that what you need is right in front of you.
Most of us just want to be happy, so we pound on the door demanding that God give us happiness and to open the door and respond to whatever we ask.
Or we think that we will only be happy once we are on vacation, or have that different house, or catch a touchdown pass, or find the perfect mate.
But maybe you already have everything you need. Maybe heaven in not so much a place over there, but right here inside you. Maybe it’s time to appreciate things more, and not take things or people for granted.
The colors of the rainbow.....so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people going by
I see friends shaking hands sayin…,how do you do
They’re really sayin… I......I love you.
I hear babies cry and I… watch them grow
They’ll learn much more.....than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world----, ----
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind… me---.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where…..you'll find me. Oh
Some-where over the rain-bow…. bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why, oh why can't I----? I---? Ooo----