Motivation

Somebody did a research on a group of monkeys. The researcher found that the two ways to motivate monkeys are reward and punishment. Then, he applies the theories to human beings, and concludes that the two (major) ways to movitivate people are $ and fear.

I thought about it....really?

Apostel Paul forgoes his old way of practice after he met the resurrected Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. The change, as he descirbes it in his letters to churches and individuals, comes from Jesus, who died on the cross and rose for all of us. It is love that changed him, but not money nor fear. As a matter of face, he was sent to prison and suffered much for his mission.

Does Paul do all the work for reward in heaven? Reward is a result, but not a motivation or purpose of work. Many missionaries even today are called to missions because they love God. Such love becomes a motivation. Chang of heart and mind from God is the cause of action, that produce long-lasting and life-changing effects.

Another example, Thomas Edison: he worked very hard in his invention, because he loves his work. He is curiouse to nature, and he dedicates his life in invention. Do you think he was motivated by money or fear? Do you think he was working for a big corporation and he had to meet deadlines in order to get paid for his first light bulb?

The researcher may conclude the reward as spiritual satisfaction, rather than money, as a reward. Then, I would accept it easier. However, it is hard to conclude it this way, because he/she was researching on monkeys, that do not have spirits but somachs.

The Lost Letters of Pergamum

The story starts with a proud Roman noble, who wrote to Calpurnius to borrow a prestigious book to study. Letter exchange between Antipas and Calpurnius’s household started. When Calpurius was away from home, Luke, a scholar who wrote the gospel of Luke, took over then pen to reply to Antipas. Antipas and Luke became good pen-pal.

From the letters, I learned that in the first century, the Romans worshiped many gods. The government was very accommodating in a way, that tolerates many different cultures. However, sometimes, the local government set guilds and forced the commoners to worship the Roman gods. If they refuse, they will be treated as criminals and be executed in gladiator games.

Antipas was a worshiper of Jupiter, and loved gladiator games. He thought that the amphitheater was a place for both justice and entertainment. He organized one of the biggest games in his newly reported city called Pergamum. His full time job was an overseer for renovation of a temple for a Roman god, which was an honorable job.

Since Antipas started communication with Luke, Luke lent him a copy of his monograph, that you and I can read freely today. In the beginning, Antipas focused on the writing style of Luke, though the teaching of Jesus was too naive. He did not understand why Christians hated the Romans, he thought that the Christians brought about only social unrest...and many questions that you and I have today.

Changes happen with touch of lives, not by study of theories.

Antipas started to attend Christian gatherings, and discovered the difference that Jesus had brought about. Everybody was equal. Even a noble man serves an artisan during the gathering. Antipas attended the gathering a number of times, yet he was not a believer.

After a year, Antipas returned to his home town Caesarea, and he found himself changed. He found the high official parties empty and lack of substance. He even considered resigning from his prestigious job in Pergamum. He became a “seeker of truth”.

The story ended in a gladiator game, where Antipas was executed. Why? You have to read!

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Letters-Pergamum-Story-Testament/dp/0801026075/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275206324&sr=8-1

The Intellect

Translation (by Fabrizio Medosi)

The Intellect

The Eagle said to the Cat: “I’m a celebrity

already. With the name and fame I’ve got, I

don’t give a hoot for the world. All men

are admirers of my intellect!”

The Cat answered: “I’ve no doubt.

But I, a kitchen connoisseur,

Can assure you that Man admires the Eagle,

still in the end prefers the Chicken”

L’ingegno

L'Aquila disse ar Gatto: - Ormai sò celebre.
Cór nome e cò la fama che ciò io
me ne frego der monno: tutti l'ommini
sò ammiratori de l'ingegno mio! -

Er Gatto je rispose: - Nù ne dubbito.
Io, però, che frequento la cucina,
te posso dì che l'Omo ammira l'Aquila,
ma in fonno preferisce la Gallina...

Trilussa (ca 1900)