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How can we give our selves when we don’t know our selves?

How can we give our selves when we don’t know our selves?

Luke 22:14 – 23:56. The Crucifixion

Can we give up or sacrifice something we do not know nor own? The beauty and pain of sacrifice lies in the willful choice of another to give up something of value for another without expecting personal gain.

In a sense, for us to give our selves for others, I think it is imperative that we “know our authentic selves” so our sacrifice could be holistic. Thus, the full authenticity of a sacrifice requires the apprehension of one’s authentic self.

A CEO or a leader choosing to take significant pay cuts to improve overall employee pay may be seen as a form of sacrifice. A social entrepreneur reneging one’s negotiation leverage to prioritize fair pay may be seen as a form of sacrifice. But what makes these authentic sacrifices, from a personal perspective, is the full awareness of what they could have gained for themselves should they have pursued a different alternative.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 100: APRIL 10, 2022]

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Weathering with you

Weathering with you

John 11:45-56. “One man should die instead of the people so that the whole nation may not perish”

Why should a young lady be sacrificed to normalize the raging typhoon that may be caused by man’s collective disregard for nature? Why should a Man who does and preaches good be sacrificed for the sake of a sinful society?

We’ve been too accepting of consequentialism and ruthless cost-benefit analyses to justify systemic injustices. Do we even deserve to pin our hopes to innocent messiahs when we already have the agency to make our society better?

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 99: APRIL 9, 2022]

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We can understand the virtuous through their works

We can understand the virtuous through their works

John 10:31-42. Believe the works

Because our understanding is limited, we need evidence. The evidence of the virtuous and the virtuosos is in their works or their body of work. In a sense, faith enters when we acknowledge the limits of our reason, but it does not mean that we abandon reason altogether.

Jesus has consistently tried to demonstrate evidences and signs, and it is comforting to know that He does not require blind obedience. He invites us to look at His works and conclude for ourselves.

When a person claims “I am virtuous”, that person could be seen as boastful if the claim is not supported by facts. When a person claims “I am not virtuous” but in fact he does have the body of work to support his claim, he could be seen as being falsely humble, understating the grace God has given him.

Thus, an interesting challenge of authenticity is to have a very sober understanding of one’s body of work. Both pride and false humility are sins; thus, it is imperative for a person to reflect and discern continuously, to examine one’s life through one’s deeds.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 98: APRIL 8, 2022]

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Words don’t die

Words don’t die

John 8:51-59. Whoever keeps my word will never taste death

Words, stories, and insight – these accumulate into a culture and wisdom that do not die. In a sense, this could be how we could approximate an understanding of God’s immortality, omnipresence, and omnipotence.

The words, stories, insight of organizations shape their culture and collective wisdom. Employees and stakeholders can detect in the long run if businesses are just machines for greedy profit maximization rather than a sanctuary of human relationships.

Our physical bodies may pass away, but our friends, loved ones, and descendants can remember our stories and defining moments of our lives. We are flawed, but our struggle to be better despite our imperfections is what could inspire others to live a more virtuous life.

How do we want to be remembered? Maybe, at least, we can take comfort in trying to be a better or being the best version of ourselves, so that the next generation can imagine more possibilities towards authentic flourishing and integral human development.

In a sense, we are the authors of our lives. How should we punctuate it? Conforming to convenient societal expectations, or daring to harness our freedom to experiment until we live a life of love and vocation?

We may die but our words don’t. And hopefully, whoever listens may gain insight to who we are and how we became our best version.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 97: APRIL 7, 2022]

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What does it mean to be free?

What does it mean to be free?

John 8:31-42. The truth will set you free

When we think of “freedom”, we think of positive things and pleasant imaginations. However, freedom is not necessarily convenient or free from pain.

I interpret authentic freedom as having enough agency to counteract structural or societal forces. (Note: I’m not using the word “absolute” to describe freedom; I prefer to use “authentic”). Authentic freedom means having the power to choose and be responsible for the consequences of that choice.

When we think of falsehood and bullshit, these are narratives that are powered by personal or tribal agenda. (Or maybe the more appropriate term is propaganda?) In a sense, false narratives are meant to control individual and group behavior by twisting facts. In doing so, we deprive the audience to think for themselves and arrive at their conclusions through their own agency.

In a sense, the truth is empowering (though sometimes uncomfortable) because it allows the thinker-doer to navigate through life without being manipulated by a more powerful structure or group. The truth serves as an anchor or a guidepost, and it can strip away power dynamics.

If the truth is upheld, the have-nots of society can theoretically go against the rich. It is an equalizer. Or dare I say, it’s a liberator.

But equality, freedom, and authenticity are not without pain. In a sense, it’s inconvenient.

It’s inconvenient to think for ourselves. It’s more convenient to be spoonfed facts!

It’s inconvenient to face the truth. It’s more convenient and blissful to be ignorant!

It’s inconvenient to be free. It’s more convenient to be told directions!

We say we want to be free. But how could we be free when upholding the truth is too inconvenient for us?

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 96: APRIL 6, 2022]

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How do we know that we know someone?

How do we know that we know someone?

John 8:21-30. I belong to what is above

In a sense, we can never fully know someone. Come to think of it, fully knowing one’s self is already a task of a lifetime, what more of others? We only have traces, impressions, and memories as means for us approximate who the other is. We can never have full access to another’s thoughts and feelings.

We can only know another through authentic shared moments, that is, events where no one is inauthentic or merely projecting an impression. There needs to be dialogue and exchange. In this sense, we better know another because we somewhat begin to contribute a bit of ourselves to the other’s identity. We can know a bit of each other through each other’s vulnerability.

In a sense, a rational way of knowing a person will always be incomplete. This is where faith and faithfulness come in. As we share a piece of ourselves with another, we try to be transparent and authentic to each other. We direct ourselves yet entangle ourselves with how others expect us to behave; and this dance is both reason and faith harmonizing with each other. We think that we know, we have faith that we know, and we iteratively correct what we know.

Thus, to have faith in God means to seek Him and trust that He will reveal Himself somehow in unexpected ways. The formulas and traditions provide some guide, but ultimately, a personal faith requires a personal encounter in a personal context.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 95: APRIL 5, 2022]

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We are predisposed to seek light

We are predisposed to seek light

John 8:12-20. I am the Light of the world

Light serves to be a symbol for so many positive things. When we feel lost in the dark, we seek the light at the end of the tunnel. When we encounter a eureka moment, we say that we are enlightened.

Light, whether dim or bright, cannot be ignored. We are drawn like flies to light in the dark no matter how dim the light may be. A very bright light can be blinding at first but as our eyes adjust, we become fascinated or accustomed with it, even taking it for granted from time to time.

We only have to look at how children naturally seek to know and grow, daring to ask without regard to political correctness; daring to experiment with faith that their parents would be there to help them stand when they fall.

In our quest to project being rational or being coldly objective, we have tried to (imperfectly but usefully) model costs and benefits akin to an economic man (homo economicus) seeking to maximize utility and lessen costs. We find comfort in simpler models and metrics, mistaking profits as light itself when it is but a refracted and limited color of light.

How can we make ourselves and organizations be more authentic, natural, and integrally developed? Maybe we ought to listen more to our inner voice which may be subconsciously conversing with the Primary Light.

No matter how tempting dancing party lights may seem, the Sun will always outshine them. It’s on us to go out of our darkened rooms and seek out the Sun.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 94: APRIL 4, 2022]

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What should cancel culture cancel?

What should cancel culture cancel?

John 8:1-11. “Let the one among you without sin throw the first stone…”

Why did cancel culture come to be?

The sad reality is that no justice system is perfect. Perhaps the democratization of social media made it easier to be hyperaware of another’s wrongdoing, and there seems to be a kind of exhilaration or catharsis even to put justice into our hands by cancelling a wrongdoer.

In a sense, cancel culture or mobbing someone has been around since human society began, and this is perhaps what Jesus invites us to think about. When we “cancel” someone, what do we really mean?

In the gospel, the adulterous woman was caught red-handed, and she seemed to have accepted her fate already. She knew what she did was wrong. The mob also had clear guidance from the law: the punishment for an adulterous woman was stoning her to death.

What did the words of Jesus mean when He said that whoever has no sin be the first to throw a stone?

I look at this both from a pessimistic and optimistic perspective. The former highlights the fallibility of humans. In a sense, since we are flawed and our judgements are imperfect, do we really have the capacity and entitlement to judge another? Maybe the reason why no justice system is perfect is precisely because no human insight and judgement is perfect too! To put a life into the hands of a judging people is a grave responsibility, and our biases may directly lead to unnecessary and unnatural losses of lives.

On the other hand, a more optimistic view of His words may highlight humanity’s infinite potential to repent, do better, and ultimately flourish. Robbing another of one’s life strips away this potential.

It is important to make wrongdoers accountable. However, perhaps the message of the gospel for today’s context is similar to how Jesus views sin and sinners:

Condemn the sinful act but preserve the dignity of the sinner.

In this sense, maybe the invitation for us as a society is to direct cancel culture not to people, but actions.

In short, cancel the sin, not the sinner.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 93: APRIL 3, 2022]

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Are we allowing others to flourish?

Are we allowing others to flourish?

John 7:40-53. No prophet arises from Galilee

What if Jesus has already come again, but we are too focused on our own desires, blinded by our biases, and distracted by what we think should be norms? What if we are like the Pharisees or people of Galilee, too hung up on what we expect that we miss seeing the Good i front of our eyes?

Snap judgements and misplaced expectations may cause us to be a barren field rather than a bountiful garden.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 92: APRIL 2, 2022]

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Destiny vs. Willpower in Shounen Heroes

Destiny vs. Willpower in Shounen Heroes

John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30. I know Him because I am from Him and He sent me

For those reading the One Piece manga (don’t worry, no spoilers!), it is evident that we are at the final stages where Luffy is taking huge steps towards his dream of being the Pirate King. The recent chapters have made fans reflect: is One Piece about a story of destiny, a “chosen one” saving the world; or is it about the story of personal agency and willpower, a commoner going against odds to realize his dream? (I recall watching a One Piece YouTuber Mr. Morj discussing this topic.)

I’m not necessarily saying that the shounen hero archetype should be applied to Jesus, but I’d like to reflect on how His being human allows us to make sense of destiny versus agency.

Manifesting a desired goal requires a total buy-in from the doer, as well as huge amounts of “luck” going one’s way. In this sense, this mysterious luck seems to parallel God’s will, because only He can influence what we could not.

Suffering and challenges are mainstay tensions in the story of life. They are not necessarily punishment; they are mere unfortunate elements of our journey.

Thus, to be whole and authentic and to flourish requires alignment with God’s will (destiny) and willpower (agency). It’s not an easy task; it’s a road filled with suffering and challenges. In a sense, one cannot blame another for seeking a more comfortable life.

But isn’t it more exciting and adventurous for us to choose to fulfill our destiny? Be it in the story of Luffy or the passion of Christ, my insight on destiny is that it is not a linear and comfortable journey. Fulfilling one’s destiny is not necessarily a given.

And maybe this is why it is about the journey, not the destination. The journey is what makes us human, and the destination is an inspiration of tasting a bit what it means to be divine.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 91: APRIL 1, 2022]

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