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The
Leveler
Toto`
(born Antonio de Curtis; 1898-1967) was a comedy
genius and the icon of Italian comedy. He was a very
talented actor and comic (appearing in 108 films), a
film writer (writing 5 of them), a music composer
(composing music for 4 of his films), and a poet.
Toto` was the master in making people laugh, not only
with his words, but also with his facial expressions
and physical actions.
One
of his greatest and funniest films is Miseria e
Noblita`,
also starring Sophia Loren. It
tells the story of two Neapolitan families, who are
both very poor and starving living in post-war Naples.
They then come across an opportunity to pretend they
are nobility, and manage for a short time to live a
life of luxury. However their luck doesn’t last for
long. *
Toto`
had the uncanny ability to make people laugh, but he
could also make them think....
Toto`
also wrote and recorded a piece entitled “'A
Livella,” ("The Leveler").
It concerns a conversation between the imagined
spirits of two men who are buried next to one another
in a cemetery. The
Nobleman (the Marchese) is complaining to the poor,
miserable commoner that he had no business being
buried next to such a fine, distinguished, important
personage such as himself.
The commoner (the spazzino, a street sweeper)
replies that he is sorry about that, but he had no
control over where he was buried; his wife was
responsible for where he was buried.
The
Marchese continues his diatribe, then the poor peasant
reminds him that when two men die, it doesn't matter
what their station is life was; they are both dead and
they are equal, and on the same level after death.
The poor peasant (loosely translated from
Italian) says to the Marchese:
“Who
do you think you are? A Lord?
Do you know that in this place we are all the same?
Dead are you and dead I am;
Everyone is equal to the others."
Toto`
and the commoner are right: death IS the leveler, the
great equalizer.
It
doesn’t matter if one was rich and another was poor
while they lived.
“For we brought nothing into this world, and
it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim 6:7).
What
DOES matter is if one is a Christian.
To
die in one’s sin brings condemnation (Romans 6:23).
However, if one’s sin has been covered by the
blood of Jesus, one may look forward to living
eternally with God in heaven (Romans 6:23; Revelation
21).
Jesus
died on the cross to pay the price for our redemption
(Ephesians 1:7).
He will redeem those who believe
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31), confess
Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins
(Acts 2:38).
He will continue to cleanse those who continue
to walk in the light of His word (1 John 1:7).
Yes,
Toto` death IS the great equalizer.
However, to die in Christ means salvation; to
die in sin means eternal punishment.
Are
YOU a Christian?
If not, won’t you submit your life to Christ
today?
--
Glenn
& David Sargent
Church
of Christ at Creekwood
1901
Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
*
http://www.madaboutitaly.com/italian_comedians_comedy.htm
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