CLARITY AND COMPASSION
Yesterday,
we reflected on clarity of mind and vision. One who sees rightly would
also do rightly. The Apostles, given a choice between obeying men (and
displeasing God), chose to obey God rather than men. They had clarity of
vision. They knew well their Scripture that told them to put God before
anyone and anything else.
Gamaliel was a teacher of the law and, thus, a learned man. He could
see through his mind. He, too, had clarity and perspicacity of vision.
But he was more than just brilliant. He could see with the heart. He was
compassionate. Years ago, I was the young principal of the basic
education department of a big school. There were times I agonized about
dismissing certain boys, or whether to give second chances to those who
seemed not to give much promise of reform. All the conditions were clear
and the teachers and supervisors were unanimous. But I still had the
power to veto or affirm the decision.
Thirty years later, I knew I goofed in certain cases, but I also
realize I took the better option in many cases by following my heart
rather than my mind. Clarity of mind seemed pretty much in place then.
But in those cases, what was needed was the Gamaliel model of prudence
and compassion. “Be careful what you are about to do to these men — you
may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Gamaliel’s prudent words
resonated in the hearts of his hearers, and the distraught Apostles
found a most unlikely ally in him.
In life, not everything is predictable. No matter what management gurus
say, not everything can be neatly planned and not all things can be
subjected to pure and sure rhyme and reason. Blaise Pascal was referring
to this when he wrote: “The heart has reasons that reason itself does
not know of.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTION: What do you use more in decision-making — your head or your heart?
May I always have the grace, Lord, to know Your heart as well as Your mind in every decision I need to make.
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