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At the heart of every issue is an opinion. And that is where the trouble begins. We are never more dangerous than when we believe we possess the truth.
The greatest human virtue may be the ability to doubt. When we have doubt, we must move cautiously. And, yes, we might have to give serious consideration to those who disagree with us.
Thoughts while moving to Utopia ....
Brother Giovanni
We are asked often what is the driving philosophy of the Pizzaonian Monasteries. Many would think we would have a ready answer, but we don’t.
Here in Pizzaonia we have become wary of packaged philosophies and mission statements. They seem to become like stale bread in a very short time.
For us the reason is simple and obvious. Change is about us everywhere. In us, in our neighbors, in the very nature we exist in and share with all things.
The minute we have a philosophy the reason for bringing it into being have already begun to change.
We are all standing on quicksand and the sooner we can muster the courage to accept this fact the sooner we begin to live realistic lives.
Many challenge this notion by reminding us that our position is an invitation to chaos. We agree with our critics, but this does not change the fact.
We are stuck in a dynamic and changing culture, galaxy, and universe. All life is in flux and we are like the drops of water in the river moving with the current.
For many this is a despairing position and becomes intolerable. At first, this can be true, but it is also liberating. Facing a subjective reality has that virtue, and for Pizzaonians this is the defining concept of their existentialism.
The nature of all pizzaonian existentialist thought is to face a subjective reality and let it bring its consequences. The very uncertainty of all things is the quicksand and power of existentialism. The Pizzaonian code for accepting life revolves around this one essential fact.
Then what is the purpose of the Pizzaonian mission and its monasteries and sundry affiliations? Simply this: To evolve toward a perfect union – a familiar phase borrowed and modified from the American constitution.
However, we carry its meaning beyond its original intent. We apply its meaning to all things including our personal relationships, our everyday activity and to our national aspirations.
We use these words as the yardstick by which we measure all that we do – always uncertain, but united always in faith, not fact, that there is a perfect union with all things to evolve towards.
For those who need certainty and sure proof for what they believe, Pizzaonia is not your place. But, for those who seek a community where who and what you are will be allowed to exist as you find your way through this uncertain life – we are the place for you.
The uncertainty of reality eventually becomes the uncertainty of certainty.*
*A saying posted over the entranceway of our chapel.
Brother Giovanni
To what end is all endeavor if self-serving is the only motivator? In the end only loving sacrifice for others can bring meaningful and lasting change for the common good.
There is nothing more insipid than national leaders that refuse to call their people to shared sacrifice for the common good. They serve no one other than themselves.
It becomes obvious why meaningful change is rare.
Brother Giovanni
Hanging out with Jesus, I think?
My new job as roving reporting for the new Pizzaonian News Network for Worldonian affairs has been interesting.
Complicating matters is my ongoing relationship with the man I met in the park called Jesus. Yes Jesus. Needless to say, the people at our network are not overwhelmed with this relationship
The first question that always comes up is “the Jesus?” And the question is always followed with that look – the look that is trying to assess my sanity at a glance.
Well I cannot say for sure, but either way it has been fun and certainly never boring. Our relationship has grown over the last several months and certainly, by earthly standards we have become good friends.
Now there is little doubt that my friend Jesus, believes he is the Jesus, the question is do we, or more specifically, do I. Strange as it may seem you cannot stay neutral with this one. You have to come down on one side or the other, or their will be no relationship.
If you think about it, it was not different from the dilemma the apostles had to deal with on a daily basis.
Well I have decided to believe. It simply works better that way, but this decision is not without its complications. By believing, I am immediately suspect. Well I am just going to have to bear that one since it is sure more interesting when you believe it is really him.
I am expecting my next letter from Jesus as he continues to travel in the United States. I will share the letter with you as soon as I receive it – until then.
Brother Giovanni
So much time today is spent on “being all we can be.” Somewhere along the way serving others got lost on the road to greatness. I often think that somewhere in the meaning of the words sacrifice and love we can rediscover what “being all we can be” is really about.
To equate love with sacrifice is difficult since the word sacrifice carries deeply emotional feelings of suffering, and suffering is not a fun activity.
The notion of life as sacrifice has very little appeal for most of us. Yet, for those that love deeply, sacrifice is a way of life.
Sacrifice can be the ultimate act of giving. Whether the suffering is chosen or is afflicted upon us, when done or offered for others, you are giving the gift of life. For most of us this is extreme and will not be part of our experience.
But what about the small acts of sacrifice that we make everyday for others or for ourselves? Whenever we put our own needs or wants aside to create a greater good, are we also not sacrificing?
How many times a day do we serve others before ourselves? This is a key question that when asked can tell us much about who we are, and who we are in the process of becoming.
Not to be excluded in our thinking process is the need to sacrifice for our own good – the need to give up part of ourselves so we can grow to be more appreciative of the life we have.
Sacrifice on this level become acts of love – love for yourself and for others. This is a concept that cannot be assimilated easily. Only those who have experienced it directly can emotionally understand its impact.
When we serve others in a healthy and giving way we serve ourselves and the community we live in. It is the life we all strive for because in our surrender to others and to ourselves, we find the meaning of our existence.
This translates sacrifice into love and makes the two synonymous.
Submitted by Brother Franco. (In a note to Pizzaonian Novice Monks) July 20111 Pizzaonian beta world time
