The flaw in the new-age law of attraction, prayers for supplications, and gospel of prosperity Matthew 7:7-12. Ask and it will be given to you “Ask and it will be given to you.” I confess: I was a sucker for the new-age version of the so-called “law of attraction” (LOA). The “ask and you shall […]
If we know that we cannot fully know, should we stop from attempting to know? Luke 11:29-32. “There is something greater than Solomon here.” This verse resonated with me as an educator and researcher. Solomon represents the one who is blessed with the highest form of human wisdom. Jesus claims that there is something or […]
How can we know God’s will? Matthew 6:7-15. The Lord’s Prayer “In praying, do not babble.” The most common prayers are the formulas. When we do pray spontaneously, we usually spend time asking for supplications — dictating to God what we want. This is in contrast to the purpose of prayer: dialogue with God. Do […]
20-mile march, consistency, and virtue Matthew 25:31-46. Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me Jim Collins, in Great by Choice (as a follow up to Built to Last and Good to Great) contended that great organizations are those that consistently perform a 20-mile march, whether the conditions […]
Why does God allow temptations and suffering to exist? Luke 4:1-13. The temptation of Jesus The devil can quote the Scriptures, cite superficially, but bastardize the meaning to lure us. This is why reflection and discernment is crucial, because the same words can be interpreted or misinterpreted, and this can lead to both good and […]
(Errata: I used the March 5 gospel for my reflections yesterday. I will use the March 4 gospel for my reflections today). The fasting of the body should be about the nourishment of the spirit Matthew 9:14-15. Can the wedding guests mourn? If we approach fasting only as a ritual or as an appearance of […]
Including the marginalized Luke 5:27-32. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners In the classroom, it’s definitely easier to favor the already intelligent and the dilligent; those who actively recite, submit high-quality learning outputs, and seek high-impact consultation sessions. Maybe my own bias can be expressed this way: why let […]
We must learn to pay our dues before we can be the best version of ourselves Luke 9:22-25. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? “… he must deny himself and take up his cross daily…” The season of lent is a reminder that suffering and […]
Perception is real and the truth is not…? Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them “Pictures or it didn’t happen.” “Perception is real and the truth is not.” Businesses spend millions on advertising and public relations, documenting their corporate philanthropy activities for the world to […]
Should we do good to be rewarded? Mark 10:28-31. Many that are first will be last, and the last will be first. Should we do good to be rewarded? The preaching is charity and unconditional love. My reservations about doing good because we want to be saved is that this reasoning is ultimately consequentialist; with […]