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.


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

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

Discovering our mission requires a leap of faith

It is natural to feel troubled in the course of finding our purpose and the spaces where we can create as much meaning as we can.

What is important is we balance our fears with the right doses of faith so that we can power through and act towards where we are meant to go.


Luke 1:26-38. The Annunciation

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 354: DECEMBER 20, 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.


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

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

To be authentic means to be a dreamer and a doer

St. Joseph is an inspiring figure because of his integrity, authenticity, and his ability to act on his dreams despite uncertainty. His story demonstrates the importance of finding our inner voice (or conscience?) and manifesting our dreams no matter how difficult they may seem at first glance. He also provides an example of what it looks like to live life with intentionality and pursue moral growth regardless of circumstances.

While listening to the homily of Fr. Caluag, what stood out to me is how Jesus used the analogy of a good father to describe how we can relate with God. For Jesus to do so, St. Joseph must have been a great father.


Matthew 1:18-24. Joseph the father of Jesus

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 352: DECEMBER 18, 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.


Matthew 1:1-17. The genealogy of Jesus

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

Both path builders and travelers

When the path has been laid before us, it is our duty as travelers to traverse it responsibly and diligently. If the path ends or we find that the path is not leading to the proper destination anymore, travelers must become path builders or even pathbreakers so that the next generation can build on what we have accomplished.

Whether we are currently playing the role of being a traveler or a path builder or even a pathbreaker, we must do it well.


John 5:33-36. John was a burning and shining lamp.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 350: DECEMBER 16, 2022]

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.


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]

Finding offense where there is none

Somehow, navigating social media can make it easy to conjure slights and offenses when there is none, or at least there is no intention from someone to offend another.

Before we take offense, maybe we should pause and reflect: is the content truly offensive, or are we finding offense when there is none?

The truth may not necessarily be pleasurable to hear.


Luke 7:18b-23. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 348: DECEMBER 14, 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.


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]

True ignorace might be bliss, but pretending to be ignorant is cowardice

There is something innocent, or blissful even, when a child does not know how harsh the world can be. In this sense, being ignorant is not necessarily a mark against a person.

But pretending to not know is cowardice, if not downright laziness, because we are empowered to experience the world, gain insights, assess reasonably, and act responsibly. Hiding behind feigned ignorance is a refusal to flourish.

As a child grows, their bliss and innocence are replaced by courage and wisdom – understanding that the world is not always a good place but we can do something to make it better. With feigned ignorace comes a cowardly and restless kind of “peace”, but with curiosity comes courage, wisdom, and a true sense of serenity.


Matthew 21:23-27. “We do not know.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 346: DECEMBER 12, 2022]