Appearances, hypocrisy, and BS

Appearances, hypocrisy, and BS

Mark 7:1-13. The Pharisees question Jesus on seeming non-compliance with tradition

It’s easier to rely on appearances, sense-experiences, and empirical evidences compared with the actual or real unseen. The irresponsible faithful (hypocrites) and traditional politicians (trapos) are masters of appearances, bastardizing the law and tradition by neglecting the spirit, virtues, and principles underlying these rules.

Jesus did not hold back criticizing hypocrisy. Perhaps, this is the allure of the authentic Catholic and Christian faith to me: the call for reflection, an invitation to seek the underlying virtuous meanings and spirit behind traditions and commandments.

Businesses could fall to this hypocrisy (i.e., bullshit). The infamous corporate scandals are usually characterized by utter misrepresentation of financial performance or product development.

Thus, if we are to view the business and management professions as vocations, it is the moral and even spiritual imperative for the manager to gain not only technical-factual, but also, spiritual insight and judgements in performing responsible decision-making.

Of course, these are easier said than done. But if we are to live and practice an authentic life and profession, this is a cross we should be willing to bear.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 39: FEBRUARY 8, 2022]