[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 29: JANUARY 29, 2022]

“Gigil” versus a sense of peace

Mark 4:35-41. Quiet, be still!

Gigil. Overexcitedness. Angst. In high school, I thought (and maybe felt.. Thanks, puberty and hormones!) that this is the mindset when doing course work, basketball training, or other activities I find valuable or potentially flow-inducing.

As I continue to mature, I realize that the best state of mind is that of peacefulness; stillness; mindfulness; presence. Some would characterize this as zen; others, an “insight state of mind”. In a sense, maybe this is parallel to or adjacent with flow, where we dissolve our ego and focus on the task at hand. Eliminating distractions; only our thoughts and actions matter at a specific time. From a spiritual perspective, perhaps this is the Holy Spirit imbuing us with a consuming fire.

In today’s world, we are always looking to supercharge our senses. But we also need to rest, to step back, and to focus on where we are, not what storms distract us from being centered.

Peace be with you and your spirit. Such a powerful prayer and greeting. Peace and serenity goes together with courage and wisdom. Accepting uncontrollables, changing our controllables, and insight to discern which is which.

In a world of instant gratification and hasty judgements, we need to relearn how to delay gratification and suspend judgement.

Maybe then, peace can be with us.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 27: JANUARY 27: 2022]

Virtuous cycles

Mark 4:21-25. Jesus continues discussing the importance of understanding the parables

“To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

When I first heard this passage during my elementary school days, I thought: parang ang biased naman ni Lord! (The Lord seems biased!)

I now realize that this is an extension of the parable of the sower. To the more fertile soil – bounty. Good leads to more good.

This passage is also NOT about greed, as in a greedy capitalist acquiring more for the sake of more.

This passage is about choosing good, building a habit and character of being good. Being virtuous and designing virtuous cycles. Reflection and discernment are also forms of virtuous cycles. As Lonergan explained in his general empirical method, the process of iterative understanding, judgement, and action allows us to accumulate insights, which eventually leads to wisdom.

The moment we stop pursuing goodness is the moment we refuse to grow our talents. This is when we give up opportunities for growth.

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

Pro-claiming

Mark 16:15-18. Proclaim the Gospel to every creature

A definition of “proclamation” that seems resonates with me is: “a clear declaration of something”. There is clarity and importance inherent to a proclamation. The act of declaration means there is emphasis, a certain kind of resolve.

To me, I distinguish proclamation against proselytizing or in-your-face preaching. I find the latter ineffective in enriching the faith, in contrast to the stories and actions that Jesus exemplified. Thus, I frame proclaiming as “pro-claiming”, as in attesting to one’s claims and by extension, living and embodying one’s claims about the Good and the Truth.

Jesus sought the marginalized. Some would say that the Apostles were not very wise nor intelligent akin to Solomon. Yet, Jesus spoke in parables and questions that invited reflection, discernment, and discourse.

The parables are invitations to make sense of our thinking and feeling, to arrive at the Truth and Primary Insight through our own personal journeys. Thus, to effectively evangelize is to proclaim, as in to invite others to reflect on the purpose of our lives. Reflection goes beyond the sense-experience or the empirical; it requires the courage to appropriate one’s self and acknowledge our tendencies, desires, and goals in life.

To proclaim the gospel is to dialogue with each other, not to shove misinterpretations of the Word down an innocent’s throat.

Imagine if businesses and organizations provide services that go beyond hedonistic pleasures or alleviation of psychological pain; a value proposition that allows not just functional and emotional values, but even spiritual, transcendent, or at least purposeful meaning-making. Imagine advertisements that does not make you feel insecure about your appearance, but rather, allows you to treasure your loved ones through creative messaging.

As a businessperson or a consumer, can you imagine these? Hopefully, the answer is yes.

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

Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21. The beginning of the Galilean ministry

Timing in Teaching

Jesus seemed to be more active with his teaching, in contrast to the previous readings where He did not want others to spread stories about Him yet. The people have begun following Him more intently.

There is indeed timing involved in teaching and fulfilling a prophecy. Perhaps prophecy is not about fortune telling nor prediction, but a recognition that a society is headed and must head towards a certain state before a change agent can bring about a desired outcome.

Maybe there are insights that are always there, but the knower is not yet ready or aware. The Word is always there, but we must seek Him.

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

Mark 3:13-19. Jesus appoints twelve Apostles

Ordinary Miracles and Active Surrendering

Jesus chose ordinary and sinful men to carry out His Word and ministry. As I mentioned in my previous reflections, I do not think that a faith anchored on supernatural miracles is a strong one. And I build on this insight: I think that a faith anchored on ordinary miracles is a stronger one.

Relying only on the supernatural, from my experience, makes us think we are powerless and insignificant. We begin to misconstrue surrendering as passive, as in quitting or giving up. But to be authentic stewards of God’s love and grace, surrendering should mean that we actively let God be God, with each of us as His instruments.

We are not called to be supernatural, but to push the bounds of the ordinary so we could pursue being extraordinary. The organizations and systems we design and participate in are capable of producing extraordinary virtuous cycles.

Let God take care of the supernatural, while we maximize the potential of the natural and the beautiful ordinary, accumulating good deeds and habits, growing our virtues to be extraordinary.