Babbling
The words we choose should not get in the way of our insights.
Matthew 6:7-15. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-173: JUNE 22, 2023]
Truly good deeds are less about feeling pleased and more about being at peace
Peace and harmony are not spectacular to behold. Often, they are easy to take for granted especially in an information-overloaded society where everything is about competing for the attention of everyone.
Truly good deeds are not meant to bring about rewards and feel good moments; otherwise, was the deed done for the sake of what’s right or was it done for the sake of what is pleasurable? Truly good deeds are more about bringing peace. And the wonderful thing is that peace and openness go hand in hand, and we are open, we bring about more opportunities to receive graces and blessings.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-172: JUNE 21, 2023]
Love that grows radically wiser
Belonging to a family, community, or organization that is harmonious makes it convenient to learn what it means to give and receive love. This is an important foundation especially for children and the young to appreciate the simplicity of love.
But as we grow and mature, we realize that love is both simple and complex. It is beyond what feels good. It’s beyond giving then expecting something in return. True love means to sacrifice and to choose love not in expectation of any reward but for love’s own sake. Love is an end in itself, not a means.
When love does not seem to make rational sense, the radical wise is able to create a surplus of meaning that makes it preferable to choose love anyway.
Matthew 5:43-48. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-171: JUNE 20, 2023]
Mores and magis
Zeal for service and doing more for God. These concepts from the Lasallian and Atenean cultures have been a mainstay in my mind lately. In a way, they capture what excellence means within the context of growing our virtues. Most importantly, excellence is not solely focused on one’s individual performance and self-growth, but rather, it is predisposed to a greater mission – something that transcends one’s self.
It’s easy to limit ourselves and do the bare minimum. But where is growth in that? This is not to say that we hustle all the time and burn ourselves out.
Resting after doing good and hard work is different from doing nothing and avoiding all kinds of work.
Matthew 5:38-42. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.
[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-170: JUNE 19, 2023]
Suffering for the things we really want
“Sometimes you have to suffer for the things you really want.”
Erik Spoelstra captured how sports at the highest level can be a parallel to life, wherein the rewards are plenty but only a few can reap them.
Why only a few, though? At least at the highest level of sports like the NBA Finals, it boils down to skills and execution. But in life, where the playing field and the players are varied, maybe the truth is that not many are willing to suffer for the things we really want.
In a way, our life is about choosing the things we are willing to work hard for. We cannot always hustle because it will burn us out.
The key is to discern and be self-aware. Only then can we gain insight into who we are, who we are meant to be, and how we will overcome the challenges that await us.
Matthew 9:36-10:8. The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.
[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-169: JUNE 18, 2023]
Childlike curiosity and insights
This father’s day weekend, I have come to believe (through Franco) that children indeed have the natural inclination to be curious, to know, and understand.
Maybe the goal of parenting is not about controlling every single aspect of a child’s life. Instead, it’s more about being an architect of a child’s environment – a safe space to inquire, fail, learn, and grow.
Luke 2:41-51. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.
[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-168: JUNE 17, 2023]
The mindset of an inclusive leader
The start of the parable tells us everything about the mindset of an inclusive leader: “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?”
It’s not about having power or being contented with the majority – it’s about seeking the lost, the least, and the last, finding them, and including them back.
Luke 15:3-7. What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?
[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-167: JUNE 16, 2023]
Critical reflections on #ILoveLizzy
My wife and I were finally able to watch the movie. She convinced me to reflect on the movie.
For context, our Facebook newsfeed has been bombarded by images and reactions from those who have watched the movie. At first glance, it does seem such a bittersweet love story: a priest presiding the marriage of his ex-lover. From the trailers and the social media reactions, this is a given. Therefore, the hook of the movie significantly rests on the reasons why Jeff and Lizzy did not end up with each other.
At the surface, the story seems to paint a theme of sacrifice while toeing the line between two vocations: married life versus priesthood.
At this point, I must say: spoilers ahead! And, this may be an unpopular opinion. But in no way am I belittling the movie – if any, I’d like to adopt a more favorable interpretation. Anyway!
Unfortunately, for me, the way Jeff’s reasons were written and how the final scenes were executed did not really make sense. I had strong negative reactions when the movie revealed why Jeff chose to leave Lizzy and left her hanging.
Jeff’s scene that gripped me the most was when he was in the church, questioning God (maybe as a parallel to the Job story?). It was heartbreaking. But what put me out of my trance was the sudden shift: kapag pinagaling ni Lord si Lizzy, hinding-hindi na niya iiwanan si Lord.
This put me off because… it was presented as if it was a bargain with God? And not to mention, the earlier lines of Jeff pointed to how God seemed selfish because the moment Jeff fell in love with a woman, God seemed to act out of jealousy and let harm befall Lizzy (at least this is my read about Jeff’s outburst). Because Lizzy did in fact get better due to Jeff’s “bargaining” (at least in the mind of Jeff), it did seem like God acted selfishly and wanted Jeff to be a priest.
It doesn’t sit well with me how this scene characterized the Catholic and Christian God, whose other name is Love. At worst, the scenes after Jeff’s outburst seemed to make God say, “Yes, if you remain loyal to me, I’ll spare Lizzy.” This seems contrary to the idea of our God of Unconditional Love.
Another point: let’s say that the logic of Jeff’s bargain does work (and I strongly disagree with that approach), if Jeff did really love Lizzy, why not have the decency to inform her of his decision? Lizzy even mentioned in her texts that it would be okay if Jeff ultimately chose priesthood. Why the need for deafening silence? At worst, this seemed to me as a needless and inauthentic way to manufacture drama. It seemed so out of character for Jeff to just be silent.
Final point: the wedding scene. I also did not like the choice of the song Hanggang Ngayon. That scene seemed to say that Jeff still romantically loved Lizzy, at hanggang ngayon, si Lizzy pa rin ang iniibig niya. This scene is what is going around social media and is depicted as a form of sacrifice. But at worst, with Hanggang Ngayon playing while Jeff is officiating Lizzy’s wedding – is it meant to say that Jeff still loved Lizzy? What do we say about his commitment to his priestly vocation? Napilitan lang siya because of a bargain with God?
I liked the movie – the cinematography, the memorable lines, and the acting. But the last scenes, unfortunately, left such a bad taste in my mouth. It felt like there are more other reasonable ways for Jeff to sacrifice instead of “bargaining” with God. The ending, for me, puts God in a bad light – selfish, and someone you bargain with to get what you want. This is the direct opposite of selfless and unconditional love.
Having said this, the movie is still worth the watch!
Matthew 5:20-26. “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-166: JUNE 15, 2023]
Innovations don’t need to be disruptive all the time
Sometimes, the best innovation is that which builds on previous knowledge or processes. We don’t always need innovations to be disruptive, since disruptions may have collateral damages that may inhibit well-being instead of facilitating growth.
Matthew 5:17-19. I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.
[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-165: JUNE 14, 2023]
Ang mga ilaw na hindi pwedeng mapundi (The lights that must not burn out)
We cannot teach or demand excellence from others (in my context, demanding excellence from my students) without discussing responsibilities. In a way, staying mediocre is more convenient because it means less responsibilities. It’s also less risk in terms of avoiding burning out.
The challenge is that we cannot let our students burn out too. Sila ang mga ilaw na hindi pwedeng mapundi. People are not lightbulbs or candles that can be disposed and replaced.
How can we demand excellence without leading to burnout?
Matthew 5:13-16. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.
[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-164: JUNE 13, 2023]