Striving Towards the City of God on the Hill
It's an oratorio in Montreal, the second largest one in the world. Located at the top of a hill, it stands as a testament to resilience and determination. The grand staircase leading up to it becomes a symbol of the human spirit, as people with physical disabilities overcome their burdens to ascend step by step. They embody the struggle towards the City of God on the hill, a place where harmony and responsibility coexist.
The City of God on the Hill
The City of God on the hill represents a state of being where individuals act in their best interest, their family's best interest, and the world's best interest. It is a realization that our actions have consequences that ripple through reality. As humans, we play an integral role in shaping the world, and that role calls us to move humbly towards the City of God, despite our burdens and suffering. It is a gradual journey, one step at a time.
The Game of Reciprocity
Watching a 14-month-old child play, we witness the emergence of the principle of reciprocity. In a simple game with a wooden spoon, the child learns the joy of giving and receiving. Through repeated exchanges, she discovers the value of trade and cooperation. By holding the spoon longer or adding challenges, we teach her the resilience and rewards of reciprocity across sequences of transformations. This game embodies an implicit morality, constraining interpretations to maintain reciprocity optimally.
Responsibility and Iterative Games
To navigate the complex web of relationships, individuals must take responsibility for themselves. However, the self extends beyond the present moment. We are part of a community of selves that spans time. Taking care of ourselves means playing an iterative game with ourselves, one that is sustainable and improvable. This game must also extend to those around us and across time, harmoniously balancing multiple levels of responsibility.
The Antidote to Chaos
In a world of infinite possibilities, chaos lurks. However, there is an antidote - the structure that emerges from balancing responsibility across levels. By constraining interpretations, we reduce the potential chaos and find meaning. Reciprocity and fair play become crucial elements in this structure, ensuring harmony and cooperation. Truth also plays a significant role, reminding us of the potential hidden behind the mundane and guiding us towards transformation.
The Power of Potential
Within the chaos, we confront the landscape of possibility. It is our belief in the idea of potential that drives us. We recognize that there are things that could be, even if they are not measurable in a materialistic sense. This belief calls us to live up to our responsibility, to make use of our gifts and talents. When we see others failing to fulfill their potential, we feel a deep sense of disappointment. There is an existential call to confront the potential that surrounds us and transform it into the most functional and habitable order possible. And this can only be accomplished with truth.
