TIME BANDITS REDUX

In a well known sequence in this Pythonesque fairy tale/morality play, Shelly Duvall and Michael Palin go through several incarnations, but they always have, "The Problem."  This is deliberately left obscure; but in their first appearance in Sherwood Forest, Palin gives us the only clue we'll ever get as to the remedy for said problem, to wit: "FRUIT! I MUST HAVE FRUIT." 

The theological themes in this film are much more profound, possibly because the protagonist is a child, than anything I have ever seen from Monty P et. al.

It suddenly came to me that this cry of a desperate rich man beset by wobbers could be profoundly useful in terms of our own lives; that we all have unmentionable problems (emotional/spiritual constipation among them?) that seperate us not from Molech, Baal, or the Corporate God of Commerce as God is depicted in this film; and therefore the Real/Royal Holy God experienced by Moses and Joshua, says:

"Ah it's your "Problem," again, I see. (unlike Calvin's parents, I Always See)  Well, then! YOU MUST HAVE FRUIT!!!  SO WHERE IS IT ALREADY? 

This begs God's most basic question, "What have you done with My Son?"

For Jesus Himself also said: "By their fruits you will know them. A bad tree produces bad fruit. You are called to bear much fruit.       But without Me you can do nothing. "

We are not mere useless eaters; or crazed consumers; we are not here to gobble up all the toys we see.  (another primary theme of this movie in the first and the last scenes and throughout) 

We are to bear much fruit so that others, and God, may be served well.  Our branches are to be those of the Giving Tree, Shell Silverstein's refracted tribute to Christ; and we must give our best apples even to that sad child that despitefully uses us,as in Silverstein's parable.  But even more so according to Christ The Book; as unto the Body.

We will never work ourselves out of this job! (although I am greatly looking forward to a new assignment.)

Happy Christo Mas`   --meaning more of Him--and less of our treasured "selves."