Finding the pearl of great price

True fulfillment comes from pursuing our highest aspirations. These opportunities require significant sacrifice.

Of course, wisdom is required to discern which risks are reasonable to achieve fulfillment. Not every buried treasure leads to positive ends.

Life is, by nature, uncertain. We cannot expect to achieve greatness without discomfort or difficulty. But we should not allow fear of change to prevent us from evolving. With courage and vision, we can recognize the pearls that give our lives meaning. And when they appear, we must be willing to pay the price.

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Matthew 13:44-46. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-214: AUGUST 2, 2023]

Of discovering potential and maximizing them

When I reflect about the things it took for me to be where I am now, I cannot help but pay attention to how lucky I am to have been supported and mentored in my personal, school, and professional life. I find it impossible to “repay the favor” (what can I offer to mentors who are wiser than me?), so the only way it makes sense for me is to express my gratitude by paying it forward.

It’s not easy to discover our own potential – we often need guidance from others who went before us. And if I should serve as a guide to others, I would admit that it is also not easy. It is a mix of logic and intuition, especially when what we’re advocating is authenticity.

Lately I have been reflecting on the tension between “meeting standards” and “being authentic”. This is triggered by my students’ essays, and this seems to be a theme worth thinking about. I find that students, in this “cheesy” but necessary quest of “finding one’s self”, would lean into standards and ideals echoed by the school, society, and the world. The initial phase seems to be to anchor self-worth on the validation of others, because the younger ones likely haven’t found the credibility and built the track record to soberly yet fully trust one’s strengths and weaknesses.

And it is during this formative phase when the presence of mentors and guides are most important – providing accompaniment, sober advice, and a balance of optimism and caution, but all anchored on a faith towards flourishing.

It is another end of the academic year full of transitions, embracing the post-pandemic era yet cognizant of the disruptions an AI world may bring. Hopefully, the smallest of seeds can indeed fully grow into the largest of trees.

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Matthew 13:31-35. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-212: JULY 31, 2023]

When it feels that God is absent

When we feel distant from God or question where He is in difficult times, it can shake our faith to the core. However, it is in these lonely moments that we must cling to the beliefs that provide our foundation.

Choosing what is right in the midst of doubt and uncertainty takes courage and commitment. We must reflect on the values God calls us to – compassion, justice, service to others – and make them our guideposts.

When we act in alignment with these, even when we feel unsure, we create good in the world. Through small acts of love and sacrifice for others, we can feel closer to the divine spark within us.

After all, faith is not something we simply acquire; it is a muscle that we must continue to exercise both in easy times and hard.

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John 11:19-27. Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-210: JULY 29, 2023]

What makes us fertile soil?

What makes soil rich and fertile? It’s the blend of organic matter, minerals, air and water that enables plants to sink their roots deep and grow tall. Soil’s richness derives from the unglamorous dirt it mixes with.

People are similar. Richness of character also requires blending with the rough, dirty and mundane. Standing up for fairness when no one’s watching. Telling the truth even when lying would be easier. Putting aside self-interest to help others in need. This kind of ethical “dirty work” doesn’t attract glory. It’s done in private moments when no one is watching.

But this is precisely what cultivates strong character and makes us into rich soil. It’s the invisible nutrients that nourish our humanity. Doing good anonymously prevents ego from taking root. It grows compassion. Lifting up those who can’t repay grows generosity.

The unglamorous work of character is not dramatic enough to make headlines. But it’s the secret to developing rich inner soil that allows our highest selves to take root and grow. To be fertile soil is to pay it forward.

Matthew 13:1-9. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-207: JULY 26, 2023]

The trap of seeking (wrong) signs

It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking out evidence that confirms our existing beliefs rather than challenging them. We tend to surround ourselves with people and information that reinforce our worldview. When we come across facts that don’t fit our narrative, our first instinct is often to dismiss them. Instead of just looking for signs that we’re right, we need to make an effort to step outside our echo chambers.

It takes humility and conscious effort to counteract our natural confirmation bias. But if we truly want to gain wisdom and insight, we have to be willing to challenge our assumptions. The truth often lies between extremes, woven together from many diverse threads. To find it, we must gather perspectives from all sides with curiosity and care. Though it may seem easier to remain in our narrow lanes of thought, it is only by widening our gaze that we can arrive at meaningful understanding.

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Matthew 12:38-42. Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign… “

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-205: JULY 24, 2023]