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 is someone like the messenger who goes ahead and prepares the way — maybe for God Himself like John the Baptist, or maybe for those who wish to follow a more virtuous path.

What stands out to me is that the one who goes ahead does not necessarily pull the next generation; the one who goes ahead and builds paths leaves it to the next generation on whether they are willing to walk that path. Then those who successfully cross can then co-create the way in a virtuous cycle.

Preparing the way, or “pathbreaking work”, is definitely hard and tiring. But seeing dedicated students attempt to cross that path however they can — some sprint, others march, still others crawl and struggle but do not relent — is enough to fill the heart.

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Luke 7:24-30. I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 349: DECEMBER 15, 2022]

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 accountable does not mean telling them “I told you so” when they acknowledge they were wrong, but rather, it means providing them opportunities for authentic conversion.

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Matthew 21:28-32. ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 347: DECEMBER 13, 2022]

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 the wrongs of another?

Perhaps an excellent guiding framework is to ask: what kind of judgment preserves the dignity of the wrongdoer, corrects the behavior, and allows an opportunity to truly flourish after repentance? We need a leader who is wise enough to harmonize justice and mercy.

Indeed, justice and mercy are two sides of the same coin.

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Matthew 11:2-11. The messengers of John the Baptist

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 345: DECEMBER 11, 2022]

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 we expect a reward. Maybe we can have faith that the other will care for us as we do good to them, but the moment faith becomes expectation, we also turn gratitude into entitlement.

Thus, we fight the good fight. We dignify our art and craft even with a minimal audience. We hold ourselves to a higher standard. And we try to be better today than yesterday because Wisdom is vindicated by her works, habits, and virtues.

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Matthew 11:16-19. We played the flute for you, but you did not dance… Wisdom is vindicated by her works.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 343: DECEMBER 9, 2022]

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 our potential does not necessarily mean we fill our calendars with things to do; sometimes, it is when we plan for rest that we allow insights to visit us.

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Matthew 11:28-30. Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 341: DECEMBER 7, 2022]