Ushering towards authentic belief

To fully believe in something is not an easy task. The journey to authentic belief requires iterative insighting, that is, we acquire initial insights and (in)validate them, again and again.

Authentic belief cannot be directed. Beliefs imposed by another stand on shaky foundations.

Thus, the vocation of a leader, manager, or teacher includes becoming ushers of students towards acquiring intelligent, reasonable, and responsible beliefs. If it is a sin for learners to doubt (and I think it is not so, for doubts encourage curiosity and eventually insighting), then a greater sin would be for teachers not to accompany the students in realizing what they could learn, do, and who they could be.

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John 20:24-29. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-184: JULY 3, 2023]

In the process of being worthy

Are we ever worthy of our positions, accolades, and recognitions?

If being worthy means being fully deserving, then this is tricky, because there are a lot of things beyond our control. And it’s highly possible that the rewards we may be enjoying are due to luck, or at least external forces may be more influential than our own personal agency.

Thus, there is indeed some merit to be found in the framing that we are always in the process of being worthy. It’s not about “fake it til you make it” but “work it until you’re worth it”.

The baseline is that we all deserve dignity. But move beyond dignity and to flourish means to work on bettering ourselves everyday. This iterative act will then make us truly worthy.

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Matthew 8:5-17. Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed…

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-182: JULY 1, 2023]

Insights that touch the spirit

Sometimes, there are insights that transform our view of the world. They touch our spirit and compel us to move forward. The challenge is letting ourselves be open to provocations and inspirations, so that maybe, we co-create insights with the Divine.

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Matthew 16:13-19. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-180: JUNE 29, 2023]

The road is narrow because it is not meant for everybody

More than three months into fatherhood and I keep on realizing each day how this is a vocation in itself. It is fulfilling but challenging.

A narrow road is a good analogy because traversing this path requires patience and a kind of stillness. Unlike wide roads that are accessible to everybody with some vehicles zipping through others at will, parenthood cannot be breezed through.

There are so many things out of our control yet we are called to stick with what we know are good practices. Faith enters where a person knows their controllables and non-controllables, while gratitude happens when everything falls into place.

It is not that the narrow road is hidden or invisible; it makes more sense that it can be found, yet those who are not ready to travel this path will choose to forego this narrow road. And that’s okay.

If there is indeed a multiverse, maybe there could be a version of me who may not choose this path. But in this universe, I have committed to this narrow road. And I won’t have any regrets.

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Matthew 7:6, 12-14. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.
And those who find it are few.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-178: JUNE 27, 2023]

Expressing dissent and avoiding echo chambers

In today’s landscape where we are prone to fall into echo chambers, we must find a way to not succumb to groupthink and express dissent when appropriate.

To dissent does not mean we don’t support our group; rather, it’s an opportunity to steer our group at least to think more critically.

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Matthew 10:26-33. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-176: JUNE 25, 2023]