Labyrinths in question - Billboards

I

His job was the toughest job on earth. And yes, you could say elsewhere. It included seeing many people, hearing also as much. But mostly, his was also a job of total comprehension. Sort of a judge, but a right one indeed. He had to comprehend all the laments. People had the habit to turn to him, mostly, when they needed something. But yes, there were others who felt the need to thank him.

His son was also involved in his family business. But he died quite young. And he felt really sad about the whole situation. For he was the one who sent him directly into the lion’s den. His son also gave examples through simple situations in life. But people used and finally abused him. Abused of his love. Once, he spoke of a time when someone had even favoured ten people that came to his help and only one finally managed to come back and thank him.

But then as history repeated itself, many times before, it did as well after that. His son was murdered. And finally after many, but many years it was finally clear.He died a horryfing death and was innocent. He was cleared of all charges that were brought against him.

But after that the father still kept on hoping. His office was jam-packed with queries and requests of all kinds. He felt the need to this on voluntarily basis. He was more than sure that there will be nothing that will give him more satisfaction than this. To do it for free. So to speak, he didn’t need bread to live!!

He kept on trying many times. Poor him. He never tired from trying.

Maybe one day they will listen to me, he used to think.

Not because he wanted to show them how cool he was or how important and powerful he is. But because every time that they did not listen to him, they always ended up in trouble. Sometimes in big trouble! There were some that cried, some destroyed themselves, some got hurt, and some lost themselves...big time!! His heart was torn apart in front of all this...

His office was quite simple but had a clear, undivided and unobstructed view to the world below. 360 degrees. It was the highest floor, in that magnificient, space created by himself. From his big window, that he sometimes lowered to get a better view or when he over heard a conversation (and just wasn’t sure if what he heard was real) he could literally see everything.

II

That day he had to come up with yet another strategy. One that worked. Hopefully he would speak with his delegates around the world and he might get a better idea of what to do!!

He looked uneasy. He was always on the go. He looked down and saw that many people, actually a lot, weren't noticing him. He was giving them what to see, what to think and yet...nothing!! He couldn't see them getting destroyed in pain anymore. He just couldn't take it.

So he opted for doing a revision of some things. Even though they might have not liked him, after all. But he was ready to take the risk.

He started giving them directions, what they had to do and what not to do in several circumstances. He opted to give them some new rules as well. At first they accepted gladly, but then they got used to all that and they just didn’t want his help.

“You are not needed” they used to say in unison.

They kept on doing what they wanted to do. They were free, felt free and anything that came directly from him was threatening their freedom. And they certainly did not like that. They had to tell him constantly about it. He received several complaints. After all that what the bosses are for. To lead and to manage, to be caring and understandable, and to offer help and support but at the same time to make sure that they shows authority. But he did not like to act as such, most of the times. I reckon that sometimes he showed too much empathy and he was too much on the side of kind heartedness.

But they were so stubborn.

III

He planned and built a wonderful garden for them, the envy of many. With a lot of masterpieces. But they destroyed it.

When he had to take a drastic decision he always used to give a solution to that - when there were the times of the floods, he even provided them with a specific purposely built boat, out of his own money and products, to be able to save the lot and make sure that his work continued.

But nothing. He felt that with them he was still at the starting point. But he still kept on trying. Sometimes he even needed to punish them. But it was all in vain. They abused of his own kindness.

Then he started employing new people with several tasks. When he was seeking to enrol people, he always tried to make the use of any qualities that might attract the lot. He sent those leaders, wise people, and even those who were considered as holy. He thought that the ‘you have to lead by example’ statement still counted. He thought that good orators would open their heavy eyes and they wouldn’t want to fight against eachother and destroy everything that he gave them and all that they created with him.

He remembered of better times. But they seemed to have happened so long time ago!

Not only but, they did not accept these people. Sometimes they even persecuted them. They used to call them names. And sometimes they would even kill them.

Finally he said “Let me send them my own son”. They would certainly go crazy about him. So intelligent and handsome. And they will certainly find nothing against this little baby. All children are innocent and that’s for sure.

But he was wrong.

He sent along his mum and they were both persecuted. They wanted to kill the baby. But they escaped their beloved country. They fled and found refuge in another country and had to stay there for several years until everything calmed down.

This baby turned into a boy and then into an intelligent and handsome man full of wisdom. He temporarily took over his father’s business as they couldn’t work together. They needed to be in two different places at the same time. And that was practically impossible. So they had to shift.

At first they went crazy about his son. He was a truly holy man. They clapped their hands and chanted songs when he brought them the bread and gave it to them for free. He also was a very good story teller. He used to act as a doctor without qualification. Not that it mattered to them. He was very successful in that. And most importantly he did not charge any money. Just like his father.

But then suddenly, some cunning people protested against him. They accused him that he was gaining a lot of money and he was telling them to avoid taxes and a million other accusations. But all that was false. But even though for the Prime-Minister of the time he was innocent, the Supreme Court found him guilty. But before he was brought to justice, he was killed. And it only took some days to finish this off!! He went trhough a hell of trouble and pain. It was a horrendous torture. No human rights or anything of that sort. But his flesh, face and whole body was unrecognisable after all the beatings. He died soon after that.

Maybe his father was filled with anger but certainly he did not act as such. It all went by soon. For love conquered.

IV

What else can I do? He promptly asked himself.

One day he found himself on a new asphalted road, that they have just simply named highway. All kinds of cars, he noticed, were in a race between themselves and against time. This road snaked through hills and mountains and flat terrain for thousand of kilometres. He noticed that several other companies were trying hard to beat his style. And even on the road they managed to install billboards with a lot of false statements and advises.

He was trying to read them in the mean time. They had all types of nice, catchy and attractive phrases. While circling around he also noticed that now they’ve introduced a new light to shine through the night. A screened billboard.

Wow, he thought. They are certainly up to it.

He looked to the phrases again…they had the same messages lying underneath…conditioning their sub-conscious…poor them. They looked like the new commandments, Wash your teeth with this xxxxx and you’d be happy…your smile will…satisfy your hunger with xxxx and you’ll live longer…use this cream and you will stay healthy and look nicer…Vote for xxxx we promise to… buy the new xxxx and get a discount…wear this xxxx and every one will look at you in a different way…One billboard after the other like dominos. Everywhere. Bigger than churches and more frequent of course!!

He stopped in a parking lot, where there were a lot of these billboards. He wanted to study passers-by. And even if they were on the highway, people still slowed down to look. Not all of them but most of them did. They looked towards these new prophets that were illuminated more than heaven itself. Everyone was looking in awe at these messages of salvation. But what they foretold was all materialistic. He went to shopping malls. He noticed the same thing. His journey continued. More billboards. More people that stopped. Smiling faces, laughing ones. Sad, happy, sultry…everyone was at least taking a look. Sometimes even queuing. Those who were with their cars stopped. And they bought, wore, swallowed, ate, showered with and took anything that these ‘holy’ billboards said.

V

Then it hit him. That’s what I’ll do, he thought. I think that's the best way to use, in order to get them. To pass on my message.

And so it was.

The following day, whoever was in the car, driving through shopping streets, visiting malls, or big shopping complexes that shadowed St. Peter’s square in Rome in size, saw the new bill boards that were put up. Most probably during the night. They all looked the same. Light blueish coloured with few words written.

• · Dearest, don’t drink & drive. You are not ready to meet me.

  God your friend.

• · Are you paying your bank loan in time? Can you imagine if I’d ask you to pay me for the air you're breathing daily?

  God your friend.

• · Thinking of investing? Invest in your eternal life today and tomorrow!!

  God your friend.

• · If by any chance you woke up this morning and found no sun light shining on your face through the window, or did not see sunset cause of that, don’t worry. I will make another one for you tomorrow.

  God your friend.

• · You’ve had enough? You think you don’t deserve to live? You think you are nothing? I created you. I gave you life…from nothing!!

  God your friend.

• · You are worried because I took a loved one from you? I gave my own son to the world and they killed him.

  God your friend.

• · If you think that Mona Lisa is a master piece, then take a look at my master piece - look in the mirror.

  God your friend.

• · Which commandment that I gave to Moses, you still can’t understand?

  God your friend.

• · We have to talk a bit. You & I.

  God your friend.

• · And when I said you should love your enemies…I wasn’t joking. I did that before you!!

  God your friend.

• · You chose the paths you will take in your life!! Do you want to have me as company?

  God your friend.

• · What can I do to show you I love you & I will forgive you…no matter what? Send you an email maybe? Or some junk?

  God your friend.

• · Look around you. I am everywhere. If you don’t believe wait till you see me!!!

  God your friend.

• · Do what you want in your life, but then remember you have to give me an account of how you used your freedom!!

  God your friend.

• · Love me like I love you for I don’t love you like you used to love me when you had bad days. My love is stable and immortal.

  God your friend.

• · And remember…here is a temporary stay…my hotel is deluxe…uncountable starred and eternal…

  God your friend.

We should listen to our heart, cause our heart is love and love is God.

Jack Vella

III.III.XI