The responsibility of those who are well enough

It takes a sober understanding of ourselves to recognize if we are well enough to carry on or if we need help.

If we are not careful, the toxicity could go both ways: toxic positivity can make us pretend that we do not need help, while toxic negativity can drain the mood out of everyone we deal with.

The inconvenient responsibility of those well enough is to resist temptations – whether it be projecting we are better or worse than we really are. It feels like a dull march or the behind-the-scenes training of athletes and artists. We are growing, but it feels slow and sometimes even soul-sucking.

The moment we fool ourselves into believing we are worse or better than we are, we also deprive ourselves of a real opportunity to grow and flourish. The worst is when we inadvertently steal the resources that could otherwise be better invested in those who fare worse than we are doing.

Being “well enough” is not a very exciting place. Maybe it is like a feeling of “meh”, almost languishing, but not really.

But it is an opportunity to power through. And with faith, “the father who sees in secret will reward you.”

---

Mark 2:13-17. “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-014: JANUARY 14, 2023]

How do we maintain the purity of good deeds?

Maintaining the purity of our good deeds is tricky. For the faithful, we aim to pursue salvation. In general, we want to feel rewarded.

However, isn’t it that the moment we let ourselves focus on the rewards, the more we dilute the purity of our good deeds?

If we are supposed to embrace unconditional love, then we should strive to act out of compassion rather than for personal gain or recognition. Doing good deeds solely for the ego boost may be satisfying at the moment, but it can ultimately lead to feelings of guilt and regret.

Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from the concept of flow. Imagine: what if doing good deeds can feel like being in the zone while playing sports? Grooving while playing in a band?

Maybe good deeds are purest when doing it feels like a reward in itself.

—
Mark 1:40-45. “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-012: JANUARY 12, 2023]

The truth itself is powerful

The truth itself is a powerful thing. We often think of it as something that should be sought after and protected. But in a world where fake news and social media are increasingly being used to advance propaganda, it can be hard to separate the truth from fiction.

We’re surrounded by information that is not always reliable, half-truths, or completely false. It’s easy for us to be misled by the deluge of information we receive every day since it is inconvenient or downright difficult to always verify the accuracy of information we receive.

Despite this challenging landscape, truth in itself is still powerful. As long as we embrace humanity’s innate predisposition to be curious, we can cut through the noise and reveal what is real and genuine. If the gospel for today holds some form of solace, even the unclean spirits submit to the power of the Truth.

—
Mark 1:21-28. “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-010: JANUARY 10, 2023]

Facilitating epiphanies

One fascinating assertion of Lonergan about the insight experience is that it is more about one’s internal conditions and less about external stimuli. This is akin to detective stories where the clues are right there in front of us but we do not acquire an insight about the dilemma.

Epiphanies do seem like elusive graces, but it does not mean we stop from inquiring or seeking answers.

The calm and the mundane after a seemingly fruitless inquiry may be the time when we are letting our inside conditions incubate ideas and facilitate insights.

---

Matthew 2:1-12. The epiphany

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-008: JANUARY 8, 2023]

To let others flourish is to flourish with them

By letting others flourish, we also create the conditions for our own flourishing as well.

For every lesson that our mentees learn, we become more knowledgeable.

For every opportunities we share with our loved ones, we become wiser.

Recognizing the potential in others is a step closer to realizing our own potential.

---

Mark 1:7-11. “One mightier than I is coming after me.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-006: JANUARY 6, 2023]