Have you ever had a song stuck in your head, looping endlessly? For many, the mere mention of the word “meno” might trigger an immediate earworm: “Mahna Mahna.” This seemingly nonsensical tune from the Muppets has an uncanny ability to remain, continue, and abide in our minds, much like the very definition of “meno” itself – to remain, continue, or abide.
This connection sparked a reflection while considering a passage from the Gospel of John, where Jesus states, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.” Continue. Meno. “Mahna Mahna.” The link, while playful, unveils a surprisingly profound concept embedded within the simple syllables of the song and the deeper theological meaning of meno in John’s Gospel.
The idea of meno – to remain, continue, abide – is a recurring and significant theme throughout John’s Gospel. Jesus uses this term in crucial teachings, emphasizing its importance for understanding faith and discipleship. Consider these powerful examples: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them” (John 6:56); “You know [the Spirit of Truth] because he abides with you, and he will be in you” (John 14:17); and “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit” (John 15:5). Even in discussions about freedom and servitude, the concept appears: “The slave does not abide in the household forever; the son abides there forever” (John 8:35).
These meno-mentions are not isolated instances. John weaves them together with other vital concepts, enriching our understanding of their significance. Words like Word, flesh, blood, truth, disciples, freedom, Son, forever, Spirit of Truth, and bearing fruit are consistently linked with meno. This interconnectedness reveals that remaining, abiding, and continuing in faith is not a passive state but an active engagement that permeates every aspect of a relationship with God.
As theologian Gilberto Ruiz aptly summarizes, “The true disciple ‘remains’ in a faith relationship with Jesus, and it is this disciple who will be set free by knowing the truth revealed by Jesus.” This “remaining” is not just about intellectual agreement but about a deep, sustained connection.
But how does this abstract theological concept, linked to a catchy, whimsical song like “Mahna Mahna,” translate into our everyday lives? How does understanding the importance of “abiding” in God’s word shape our actions and perspectives? To explore this further, let’s revisit the “Mahna Mahna” song, not just as a random earworm, but in its original context within the Muppets universe.
To truly appreciate the “Mahna Mahna” song, it’s essential to experience its original visual presentation. Picture this: it’s 1976, the very first episode of The Muppet Show. Two fuzzy pink characters called Snowths are harmonizing a simple, repetitive song. Then, enter Mahna Mahna, an energetic, shaggy character who disrupts their tune with his own scatting and improvisational singing. The Snowths, initially wanting Mahna Mahna to join their song, soon find themselves swept up in his infectious and persistent melody.
This playful scene from the Muppets, centered around the unforgettable “Mahna Mahna” song, offers a surprisingly relevant analogy to the concept of meno. Just as the song remains with us, and just as Mahna Mahna persists in his unique expression, so too does the call to “abide” in faith invite us to a continuous, engaged, and even joyful relationship with the divine. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple or repetitive elements, whether a catchy song or a theological concept, can hold deeper meaning and invite us to a richer understanding of life and faith.
