What does it mean to go ahead and prepare the way? Deep into evaluating the performance of my students this term, the verse from today’s gospel that struck me the most is: “I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.” In a way, the vocation of a teacher […]
Finding offense where there is none Somehow, navigating social media can make it easy to conjure slights and offenses when there is none, or at least there is no intention from someone to offend another. Before we take offense, maybe we should pause and reflect: is the content truly offensive, or are we finding offense […]
A safe space allows a change of mind Sometimes, in pursuit of efficiency, we encourage snap judgments and actions. These activities rely on assumptions to pull off, and, unsurprisingly, assumptions can turn out wrong. Thus, to temper snap judgments and actions, we should encourage more safe spaces for people to change their minds. Holding people […]
True ignorace might be bliss, but pretending to be ignorant is cowardice There is something innocent, or blissful even, when a child does not know how harsh the world can be. In this sense, being ignorant is not necessarily a mark against a person. But pretending to not know is cowardice, if not downright laziness, […]
Justice and mercy are two sides of the same coin It seems more tempting and convenient to think of justice in terms of penalties. After all, those with power can use fear and intimidation to scare the powerless into submission. However, mercy always goes hand in hand with justice. Does mercy mean that we neglect […]
Finding value in the things we have taken for granted We have blind spots. Our limited perceptions predispose us to neglect things or take them for granted. However, it is when we rethink the things we have taken for granted that we can find creativity, innovation, and insights. Creating value is not just about connecting […]
When expectation replaces faith, entitlement replaces gratitude When we play music and no one sings or dances, should we stop grooving? When we invite others and no one responds, should we stop hosting? When we teach but no one listens, should we stop teaching? The good we try to do is not fully good if […]
Disorienting dilemmas and faith The Angelus story showcases how transformations can happen in moments when we encounter disorienting dilemmas. However, without faith, we risk losing our minds and our sanity, maybe because of fear or we become overwhelmed by uncertainty or the extraordinary. Without faith or at least a healthy dose of optimism, it is […]
Does resting mean we stop growing? Rest and sleep help children grow taller. Rests in music do not mean the song stops; rests can even set up a song’s climax. Rest allows us to rejuvenate and grow. Thus, since rest is essential, we should rethink how we plan our day or even our lives. Maximizing […]
99 If the leader prioritizes finding the one who is lost, should the ninety-nine feel jealous? No, because the reason why the leader can focus on finding the lost is because they trust the ninety-nine to stay the course. Isn’t that trust a great grace in itself? Matthew 18:12-14. Suppose a man has a hundred […]