Of discovering potential and maximizing them

When I reflect about the things it took for me to be where I am now, I cannot help but pay attention to how lucky I am to have been supported and mentored in my personal, school, and professional life. I find it impossible to “repay the favor” (what can I offer to mentors who are wiser than me?), so the only way it makes sense for me is to express my gratitude by paying it forward.

It’s not easy to discover our own potential – we often need guidance from others who went before us. And if I should serve as a guide to others, I would admit that it is also not easy. It is a mix of logic and intuition, especially when what we’re advocating is authenticity.

Lately I have been reflecting on the tension between “meeting standards” and “being authentic”. This is triggered by my students’ essays, and this seems to be a theme worth thinking about. I find that students, in this “cheesy” but necessary quest of “finding one’s self”, would lean into standards and ideals echoed by the school, society, and the world. The initial phase seems to be to anchor self-worth on the validation of others, because the younger ones likely haven’t found the credibility and built the track record to soberly yet fully trust one’s strengths and weaknesses.

And it is during this formative phase when the presence of mentors and guides are most important – providing accompaniment, sober advice, and a balance of optimism and caution, but all anchored on a faith towards flourishing.

It is another end of the academic year full of transitions, embracing the post-pandemic era yet cognizant of the disruptions an AI world may bring. Hopefully, the smallest of seeds can indeed fully grow into the largest of trees.


Matthew 13:31-35. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-212: JULY 31, 2023]

The responsibility of those who have understood

When we finally come to understand something meaningful – a truth, a lesson, a new perspective – it carries with it a certain responsibility. We can’t simply gain insight and then continue on unchanged without putting it into action. Understanding imparts knowledge, and knowledge comes with an obligation to manifest it in the world.

Authentic understanding is more than an intellectual exercise; it demands expression through our character, our behavior and our influence on others. We have a responsibility to apply our knowledge constructively, whether that means improving ourselves, helping those around us or contributing creative solutions to larger social problems. No worthwhile understanding was ever meant to be kept private.

As we’ve awakened to greater comprehension and consciousness, we must follow it wherever it leads – bringing others along with us into the light. In this way, understanding becomes a gift we pass on in the service of truth.


Matthew 13:44-52. “Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-211: JULY 30, 2023]

When it feels that God is absent

When we feel distant from God or question where He is in difficult times, it can shake our faith to the core. However, it is in these lonely moments that we must cling to the beliefs that provide our foundation.

Choosing what is right in the midst of doubt and uncertainty takes courage and commitment. We must reflect on the values God calls us to – compassion, justice, service to others – and make them our guideposts.

When we act in alignment with these, even when we feel unsure, we create good in the world. Through small acts of love and sacrifice for others, we can feel closer to the divine spark within us.

After all, faith is not something we simply acquire; it is a muscle that we must continue to exercise both in easy times and hard.


John 11:19-27. Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-210: JULY 29, 2023]

The trap of hearing without seeking to understand

It’s easy to fall into the trap of hearing what someone says without making an effort to truly understand their perspective. We’ve all been guilty of half-listening while someone is speaking and simply waiting for our turn to respond.

However, when we don’t take the time to actively listen and comprehend where the other person is coming from, we miss out on opportunities to learn, grow and connect. Assumptions get made, feelings get hurt and arguments ensue all because we hear the words spoken but don’t dig deeper into the meaning behind them.

Seeking to understand takes patience, empathy and an open mind. We have to tune into not just the literal words being said but the context, emotions and experiences that color their meaning. This takes presence and the willingness to be curious about another viewpoint that may differ from our own. When we make this effort, conversations become richer and more rewarding. We gain insight that challenges us to think differently. And even if we still don’t entirely agree after understanding someone else’s perspective, we can better appreciate where they are coming from and why they feel that way.

Approaching discussions with this kind of depth allows us to bypass superficiality and make real human connections.


Matthew 13:18-23. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-209: JULY 28, 2023]

Smithing words: Gifts that keep on giving insights and meaning

Smithing words is a craft that requires patience and care. An insightful phrase can be a gift that keeps on giving, illuminating new perspectives each time it’s unwrapped.

The blacksmith reheats and reshapes metal into useful forms. A writer can rework words and shape ideas into meaningful forms too. With each strike of the pen, they fold in new layers of understanding.

A well-turned phrase is a gift that never stops teaching. It shifts our gaze, revealing truths we hadn’t seen before. The gift of insight is not flashy, but its value deepens with time.

A single line can light up connections across years.

The most meaningful words are those smithed not for show, but to share fresh ways of seeing. They offer insight as a gift that keeps on giving, quietly shaping perspectives even as the world changes around them.


Matthew 13:10-17. Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-208: JULY 27, 2023]

What makes us fertile soil?

What makes soil rich and fertile? It’s the blend of organic matter, minerals, air and water that enables plants to sink their roots deep and grow tall. Soil’s richness derives from the unglamorous dirt it mixes with.

People are similar. Richness of character also requires blending with the rough, dirty and mundane. Standing up for fairness when no one’s watching. Telling the truth even when lying would be easier. Putting aside self-interest to help others in need. This kind of ethical “dirty work” doesn’t attract glory. It’s done in private moments when no one is watching.

But this is precisely what cultivates strong character and makes us into rich soil. It’s the invisible nutrients that nourish our humanity. Doing good anonymously prevents ego from taking root. It grows compassion. Lifting up those who can’t repay grows generosity.

The unglamorous work of character is not dramatic enough to make headlines. But it’s the secret to developing rich inner soil that allows our highest selves to take root and grow. To be fertile soil is to pay it forward.


Matthew 13:1-9. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-207: JULY 26, 2023]

Seeking to bite more than we can chew

Why do we so often try to take on more than we can handle? Sometimes it comes from a healthy desire to push our limits and grow. When we challenge ourselves with tough goals, we can surprise ourselves with how much we can accomplish. But other times, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs due to less noble motivations. We can overload our plates out of greed, ego, and a sense of entitlement.

We have to be careful that our ambition drives us to flourish rather than merely accumulate and consume. There’s a fine line between striving for excellence and being overwhelmed by excess. The wise know how much is enough; they focus on developing their character more than expanding their possessions.

To thrive, we should grow slowly but surely – biting off what we can chew while mastering each mouthful. Our reach should exceed our grasp, but not so far that we lose our balance.


Matthew 20:20-28. “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-206: JULY 25, 2023]

The trap of seeking (wrong) signs

It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking out evidence that confirms our existing beliefs rather than challenging them. We tend to surround ourselves with people and information that reinforce our worldview. When we come across facts that don’t fit our narrative, our first instinct is often to dismiss them. Instead of just looking for signs that we’re right, we need to make an effort to step outside our echo chambers.

It takes humility and conscious effort to counteract our natural confirmation bias. But if we truly want to gain wisdom and insight, we have to be willing to challenge our assumptions. The truth often lies between extremes, woven together from many diverse threads. To find it, we must gather perspectives from all sides with curiosity and care. Though it may seem easier to remain in our narrow lanes of thought, it is only by widening our gaze that we can arrive at meaningful understanding.


Matthew 12:38-42. Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign… “

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-205: JULY 24, 2023]

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater

I can imagine how much it would amuse the devil if he succeeds in making an otherwise good and intelligent person “throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

Sometimes in the course of trying to do something good, we may unwittingly discard something of value and virtue.

For example, a business owner trying to cut costs and increase efficiency may decide to eliminate an old program that also provides crucial services to the community. A parent trying to help their child improve their grades may put so much pressure on academics that the child loses their passion for learning. Or a society fighting against inequality and injustice may, in its zeal, begin to cancel people for innocent mistakes.

Thus, we must be careful not to undermine the very principles we seek to uphold. Discernment, nuance, and moderation are needed to enact meaningful and sustainable change.

The devil surely revels when in trying to do right, we end up doing wrong. But if we stay grounded in wisdom and compassion, we can avoid his traps. With care and conscience, we can fix what is broken without breaking what still has value. We can cleanse without destroying, improve without compromising. There are always babies worth protecting, even in the dirtiest bathwater.


Matthew 13:24-43. He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-204: JULY 23, 2023]

If we view situations based only on our perspective, we don’t allow others to grow

It’s easy to only see things from our own perspective. When something happens, our first instinct is often to react based on how it makes us feel, without considering how others might view the situation. But if we never try to understand other perspectives, we hinder our own growth and prevent others from growing as well.

If we’re able to create spaces where we let each other view situations from everyone’s perspective, we enable flourishing. We become greater than the individual sum of the members of our community.


John 20:1-2, 11-18. Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-203: JULY 22, 2023]