View from Chapel Window, Pizzaonian Monasteries, Pizzaonia - image courtesy of the Pizzaonian Art Institute, Abe Straction, curator
Disclaimer: The Pizzaonian Council of Monks (PCM) and pizza conglomerate, Pizza digogo DiVinci are concerned when a prominent and respected figure in Pizzaonian politics like Brother Giovanni engages in an activity many Pizzaonians consider weird at best and psychotic at worst.
However, in the interests of full disclosure, we support The Pizzaonian’s decision to publish these letters and conversations between Brother Giovanni and the man he calls “Jesus.” Sister Veronica, Supreme Pizzaonian
Dear Giovanni,
It has been a while, but here I am again compelled to say something about your two blog postings regarding Christianity’s compulsion over suffering and sacrifice as the way to the Christian life. First, I need to make it clear it was not meant to be a compulsion, but a call to holiness and new life reborn in faith and love.
However, before I go there let me tell you about my trip to the Middle East. By the way, the fact that the Palestinians and the Israelis are making some progress by opening talks is no accident. They are getting a little nudge from the top, if you know what I mean.
You know what fascinated me the most since I had not been here for a while is what’s going on at McDonalds in Jerusalem. They make the healthiest hamburgers in the world, really, and get this, no bacon or cheese here. All burgers are topped with veggies. See how far that would go in Chicago or New York. But I digress; let me get back to the subject.
It is very difficult to make the Christian message clear to the non-believers. We both know that a lot of believers don’t get it either. For one, many of our faithful followers get it wrong with their dogmatism. Yes, we are firm in our belief, but we don’t have to over react every time someone disagrees with us. Our world won’t dissolve if we show some empathy for the non-believer’s disbelief.
Let’s face it, when you first hear the “how you get there part of the Christian message” it can be a quite a shock without someone to help get you over the frightening realization that you are going to have to be willing to change radically everything about yourself and your life.
And make no mistake; this is a radical change from all instinctive, selfish human behavior. Most people don’t seem to understand that I also had a hard time with it in the beginning. Granted as some of your folks are apt to say, “I did have some inside information” but still it does take some time for this type of radical change to be accepted at the deepest level our consciousness.
And, that of course is where faith comes in – without it nothing happens. It does take some time to grasp that there are enormous amounts of love and support available to all who are willing to travel the path.
However, what is not always understood is that each individual must take the first step of the journey – that will not be done for you; you have to be willing on your own free will to step off the cliff into the mystery of the darkness where love awaits to embrace you.
I don’t usually talk about this since part of the answer is found in the mystery of faith. And we all know this runs counter to most modern cultures. Faith is a gift from the Creator; however, it is a gift that you must first give to yourself. And, once you have begun the journey; that act of free will opens the door to a world of love and wonder.
The mere act of willingness to accept a loving God allows love to grow exponentially. But nothing happens without that first free act of acceptance on your part.
An example of what I mean is the father who loves his child. When the child comes to the father for some money, the father insists that the child first show some initiative to earn the needed money. Once the child does this the father adds generously to the amount of money that is needed and continues to do this as long as the child maintains the willingness to continue to strive to be self-sufficient. This is how faith works.
God will walk with you, but you must make the first step of that journey.
Please say hello to Sister Veronica and Brother Franco,
Until next time – your friend,
Jesus
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