The 6th day of April is the day we commemorate the day the music died! On that date in 1974 the 'Eurovision Song Contest,' which at that time still contained songs, was won by the Swedish group ABBA singing their cheerful, yet hollow 'Waterloo.' Music was never the same again.
Since the early 60s we had seen music develop from the 'Del Shannon' and 'Pearl Johnson and Teddy Carr,' type of meaningless, bland lyrics into something not just filled with life, such as 'Little Richard' and 'Elvis,' but into real meaningful songs by the 'Beatles,' 'The Rolling Stones,' 'Cream,' 'John Mayall,' 'The Moody Blues,' 'Pink Floyd,' 'Deep Purple,' and hosts of deeply considered musical genius's.
ABBA killed this.
Music that was attempting to change the world for the better was quickly erased and replaced by banal, bouncy, drivel, always accompanied by flashing lights, badly overdressed men and women, not always easy to tell apart, and cheap, cheery, meaningless trivia, which once again ruled the airwaves.
Where did this lead us?
The 'Eurovision' itself continued with dross for 15 years before realising deviants and weirdo's sold better than feeble music. Now it is not the song but what kind of pervert that gambols across the stage that counts. Any song with a meaning will not be tolerated, not that such will be entered anyway.
The banal 70s bounced emptily across the screen leading only, along with Thatcher's encouragement of greed, to the absurd meaninglessness of the 80s. Big shoulders and fancy perms, and the women were much the same, dominated while barren groups disturbed our ears with inconsequential noise. No wonder some took to Rap as they considered this had a meaning for them. Quite what that meaning may be is a mystery to me, however, it is the result of ABBA arriving on the scene and killing music.
Excuse me while I cover my ears from ABBA drivel and revive myself with proper music, Jimi Hendrix and 'Purple Haze.'
Oh that's better!
Arrest Duccio-di-buoninsegna c1310
Judas followed Jesus faithfully for three years. He was risking arrest and death yet he remained. We hear from the apostles afterwards that Judas stole from the money bag he carried. Can we conclude that in spite of the work he had watched with interest, indeed, on occasion doing similar work himself, that he did not trust Jesus with his money, his future, his life?
At the last supper Jesus informs his men that one of them would betray him. Not one considered Judas liable to do this. However, they all stated 'Not I Lord,' and meant it. When confronted by Jesus Judas however, replies 'Not I Rabbi.' The eleven saw Jesus as Lord, the Messiah. Judas saw him as a Rabbi, a teacher, not as Messiah. Whatever his motives, and it is impossible to understand what they were, money was a sideshow in this. Judas was disappointed with his Rabbi and sold him for 30 coins, that is about a months wage.
Once Jesus was arrested and threatened with death Judas offers remorse and attempts to undo what he has done. The attitude of the Priests, 'That is your responsibility,' speaks much about them. There is however, no indication Judas yet sees Jesus as Messiah, just a worthy man whom he has condemned.
Peter, having failed to remain awake while Jesus implored his father now fails again by running away and then in the house of Caiaphas three times denies Jesus. He too faces remorse, yet he still believes in his Messiah. I am right in thinking Judas did not see a Messiah and had no hope? Simon Peter saw a Messiah and had some hope, though all appeared lost at the time.
Jesus himself, knowing his father and what lay before him remained in charge of what followed.
