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The struggles make us worthy

The struggles make us worthy

Any kind of pleasure or reward we receive without struggles are typically of lesser meaning to us. It’s tempting to have rewards without earning them, but in the long run, they stunt us from truly growing.

Every struggle is an opportunity to grow. The miles are long the weights are heavy, but with enough grit, our stamina can make it through, our muscles will grow stronger, and our hearts will be fuller.

Matthew 10:37-42. And 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 2023-183: JULY 2, 2023]

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In the process of being worthy

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.

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]

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The untold and the unseen

The untold and the unseen

Perhaps the purest of good deeds are those that are made private. However, without documentation, how can others determine whether the good deed is really done?

Maybe this is where faith inevitably enters. And in a way, there are times when we measure, document, or promote too much – so much so that it dilutes the pureness of the good deed.

Matthew 8:1-4. See that you tell no one…

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-181: JUNE 30, 2023]

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Insights that touch the spirit

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.

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]

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Every struggle is an opportunity

Every struggle is an opportunity

We can know whether trees are good through their fruits. But for persons and professionals, we rely on inferring character based on a track record of behavior.

As humans, we are prone to inconsistency. It is a struggle to be consistently good. But maybe that’s the point of our journey – just as there are infinite struggles, there are infinite opportunities to be good. In every moment where we are able to choose to be good, we accumulate small wins. And through these small wins, we have evidence that we are growing and are becoming better today than yesterday.

Matthew 7:15-20. Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-179: JUNE 28, 2023]

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The road is narrow because it is not meant for everybody

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.

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]

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We must take care of ourselves so we can better take care of others

We must take care of ourselves so we can better take care of others

Indeed, we cannot give what we don’t have. We cannot viably “fake it til we make it” in the hopes that others won’t catch on. We cannot afford to not practice what we preach.

Having my own son has been the greatest gift, and if I want to take care of him the best way I could, I must set myself up for growth and authenticity. Otherwise, to whom else will he learn from?

Paying it forward is the best way to honor the generous blessings I have receiving from my parents, mentors, and community. I pray that Franco will turn out to be an exponentially better person than what I am or could be.

Matthew 7:1-5. You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-177: JUNE 26, 2023]

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Expressing dissent and avoiding echo chambers

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.

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]

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Fear can be healthy too

Fear can be healthy too

A reasonable fear is healthy because it keeps us focused on what is essential. It is natural to feel fear especially when overwhelmed, and it is in these moments where faith can help us gain better footing.

Luke 1:5-17. The angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-175: JUNE 24, 2023]

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What do we treasure and where do we store them?

What do we treasure and where do we store them?

Do we seek things that can be stolen from us by external entities? Or do we seek something that we can grow from within and share with others, something that cannot be easily stolen if at all?

What we consider valuable reveals a lot about who we are and who we are trying to be.

Matthew 6:19-23. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-174: JUNE 23, 2023]

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