Spiritual Food For Thought!

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. Romans 12: 17 New Standard Version

Thou shall not Covet! Book of Exodus


There was a Barber and his Wife and she was beautiful.....Sweeney Todd

At Last! My Arm is complete Again! Sweeney Todd

Spoiler Alert! If you have not seen "Tim Burtons Version of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street wait! BE Warned!

So dig, I checked out the latest adaptation of Sweeney Todd based on the stage play by Stephen Sondheim and directed by Tim Burton. Johnny Depp did a wonderful job although this is the only version of the play I have seen. Actually, the story goes back to the late 1700's in one of the penny soap opera novels of that day. "String of Pearls"

The story begins with two London bound sailors as they reach the outskirts of the City. The younger is optimistic and joyful! The older is a brooding pessimist bitterly returning to exact vengeance on those responsible for his plight and hopefully regain what has been taken from him.

"The Dark Side grants power but demands that it be fed power for it's own sake!" Darth Revan

The story in short is about Benjamin Barker, a barber, with a lovely blond Wife and Daughter and how the Evil Judge Turbin, covets Barkers Wife and frames and sentences him to life imprisonment in Australia. (A British Penal Colony)

Barker has returned to London, 15 years later, renamed Sweeney Todd to exact revenge! The two sailors split and Todd visits Fleet Street, his former home. There, he meets Mrs. Lovett, who recognizes him in spite of his age and hardened face. Mrs. Lovett, updates Todd, on his Wife! She's Dead!

Judge Turbin, has raped her! Disgraced her! She's committed suicide and judge Turbin has taken your daughter as his own!

Todd, now seeks to free his daughter, then, exact his revenge! Fate saves Judge Turbin from Todd who then goes on a calculated murder spree! Mrs. Lovett, professing her love for Todd, offers a solution for body disposal! She bakes the bodies into her pies!

Oh, how I love you Mr. Todd!

Now, for the spiritual food!

Todd, had every right to be angry at Judge Turbin! He, even had a duty, to save his daughter from his claws! But he had no right to go on a murder spree! Killing innocents! This was madness!

In the end, Todd, kills a bag lady, who happened upon Judge Turbin's murder scene. He also finds another witness! (His Daughter freed by his young co sailor) She is disguised and neither recognizes the other.

Hastened by Mrs. Lovett's screaming! He spares the other witness! He goes downstairs to find that the bag lady he dispatched earlier is none other than his long dead Wife! Mrs. Lovett had lied to him! She coveted him and wanted him! She knew, the true fate, of Mrs. Barker all along!

Todd is the Victim of two people coveting! Judge Turbin, who coveted his Wife! And Mrs. Lovett who coveted HIM!

"Everyone who craps on you ain't ya enemy and everyone who cleans you up ain't your friend!" Author Unknown

Although Todd had been victimized by both people. He became consumed by rage and vengeance and ended up not having any of the things he desired!

All the players got their just desserts which was Nothing except Todd died with the knowledge that HE, not them, ultimately destroyed himself by taking his revenge.

Go in Peace!

BE Prayerful! BE Mindful! BE Careful!
Jaycee