The music of Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Listen to the soundtrack Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. It is filled with all kinds of emotions – a hint of sadness, anticipation, but also sparkled with optimism.

Maybe this is the kind of framing we need; that no matter how stubborn the pandemic is, we can anticipate its end. We must remain optimistic. We hold on to this gift of hope.

Merry Christmas!

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Luke 2:1-14. The Nativity

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 359: DECEMBER 25, 2022]

Our voices are the loudest when driven by purpose and faith

Although the typical interpretation of Zechariah’s muteness is that it is a form of punishment, I find more meaning in interpreting it as a need or a necessity to pause to absorb an insight that is very difficult to digest. Mama Mary and St. Joseph were able to process insights from the divine because of the relative strength of their faith; ordinary people cannot be expected to do the same.

Maybe the challenge for us is to recognize when to mute ourselves and when an insight arrives. If such divinely-inspired insight does arrive, the next step is to courageously express and articulate it as best as we could. For all we know, it may be the light that opens our eyes or music that delights our ears.

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Luke 1:57-66. His name is John; Zechariah regains his voice

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 357: DECEMBER 23, 2022]

Haste and zeal are outcomes of discernment

A snap judgment or action born from hasty assumptions gives meaning to the adage “haste makes waste”.

However, as the 365 Days with the Lord daily gospel reflection for today discusses, haste born from critical discernment is equivalent to having “zeal”.

When musicians play their instrument technically fast and athletes perform their moves almost instantaneously, these are born from painstaking trainings, much like how challenging it may be to confront ourselves and discern. It may be tempting to skip trainings and discernment and attempt fast moves, but akin to snap judgments and actions, such moves are also sloppy or downright wrong.

When a maestro zealously expresses a genius idea out of thin air, what we don’t see are the laborious hours of training and discernment.

Let us pay our dues and confront ourselves. Only then can our haste lead to zeal instead of waste.

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Luke 1:39-45. With haste, with zeal.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 355: DECEMBER 21, 2022]

Insights that require time to digest

Sometimes, there are instances when we are left speechless by an event, experience, or a revelation. Social media may make it seem that we always have to react and express our reactions, but in truth, silence is just fine.

There are insights that require time to digest, just as there are insights that can compel articulation and action. Both are perfectly fine.

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Luke 1:5-25. Zechariah who became temporarily mute

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 353: DECEMBER 19, 2022]

Does lineage matter?

In a way, coming from a lineage of great reputation benefits a person in terms of connection, good will, and social capital. But seems too simplistic, erroneous even, that one’s lineage alone makes a person destined to be great.

More than the lineage by name or reputation, it is more important to ask: how has the family provided safe spaces for its members to flourish and maximize their potential from generation to generation?

What I have realized in the past years ever since my wife and I got married is how lucky I am to have been part of a tight-knit family yet empowering enough for me to freely choose where I have higher chances of maximizing my potential. This is a great gift – the greatest gift even.

It is less about lineage but more about a family culture. And to borrow from Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm: a space that is forgiving enough towards mistakes but demanding enough so that a person or enterprise is challenged to be its best version.

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Matthew 1:1-17. The genealogy of Jesus

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 351: DECEMBER 17, 2022]