Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater

I can imagine how much it would amuse the devil if he succeeds in making an otherwise good and intelligent person “throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

Sometimes in the course of trying to do something good, we may unwittingly discard something of value and virtue.

For example, a business owner trying to cut costs and increase efficiency may decide to eliminate an old program that also provides crucial services to the community. A parent trying to help their child improve their grades may put so much pressure on academics that the child loses their passion for learning. Or a society fighting against inequality and injustice may, in its zeal, begin to cancel people for innocent mistakes.

Thus, we must be careful not to undermine the very principles we seek to uphold. Discernment, nuance, and moderation are needed to enact meaningful and sustainable change.

The devil surely revels when in trying to do right, we end up doing wrong. But if we stay grounded in wisdom and compassion, we can avoid his traps. With care and conscience, we can fix what is broken without breaking what still has value. We can cleanse without destroying, improve without compromising. There are always babies worth protecting, even in the dirtiest bathwater.

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Matthew 13:24-43. He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-204: JULY 23, 2023]

Technicalities should not get in the way of insight

Technicalities are important in the sense that they provide structure and consistency. However, if we become obsessed with technical details, we risk losing sight of deeper insight. The creative process requires room for exploration, intuition, and serendipity that exists beyond the realm of technicalities. If we focus only on minutiae and convention, we may miss opportunities for innovation.

Or worse, the technicalities might prevent the flourishing they are meant to promote.

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Matthew 12:1-8. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-202: JULY 21, 2023]

Aren’t children the most authentic?

Children’s blunt honesty often fades as we grow up. Unbothered by self-awareness, kids openly share feelings and speak their minds. Their play is spontaneous and imaginative. Children live in the moment, not worried about past or future.

This realness can seem rude or clumsy, but is also admirable. As adults we filter thoughts and words through what’s socially acceptable and practical. We hold back excitement, curiosity, and vulnerability. While often needed, this can dull our energy.

Sometimes it’s okay to drop our guards, nurture our inner kid, and be as authentic as children.

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Matthew 11:25-27. For although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-200: JULY 19, 2023]

Pabigat versus bayanihan

In Filipino, we have a term for those who are freeloaders and are merely being carried by the group – “pabigat”.

Yet, we also have a term for our own version of solidarity and being each other’s stewards – “bayanihan”.

Notice that when we help each other, our crosses and those that we help carry become lighter compared to when we merely carry our respective crosses alone?

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Matthew 10:34-11:1. Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-198: JULY 17, 2023]

Standing on the shoulders of giants

When we allow our students and mentees to flourish, we become giants ourselves who allow them to see and be far more when they started. And the greatest fulfillment is when the students become like their teachers, allowing others to stand on their shoulders.

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Matthew 10:24-33. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher…

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-196: JULY 15, 2023]