WHEN Christ summoned his 12 apostles, sending them out two by two and giving them authority over unclean spirits, he clearly told them also to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts, etc. (cfr. Mk 6,7-13).

The instruction may seem harsh and even inhuman, but for sure Christ had a good reason for that. We can only surmise that Christ wanted his apostles—and now us—to depend solely on him, on divine providence which, as we all know, is governed by nothing less than pure and gratuitous love, a love that springs from complete faith in God’s will and ways.
Christ wants us to give our heart completely to God. Thus, in the Book of Proverbs, we have this passage: “My child, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” (23,26) We need to realize that our heart actually has a certain hunger and thirst that can only be completely satisfied by the infinite love of God.

But often we do not realize it, since this infinite love of God would involve, given our wounded condition, certain sacrifices and sufferings, things that we tend not to realize that they can be good occasions to show and develop the true love that comes from God.
We have to realize that to give our heart to God is to grow in our capacity to love the others. This giving our heart to God is to have a new heart, a heart of flesh, truly capable of loving, to replace the heart of stone. (cfr. Ez 11,19)

It’s when we give our heart to God through Christ in the Holy Spirit that we would find it easy to put our heart in all the tasks that we do. It’s when we can deal with anyone with great understanding and magnanimity. It’s when we can live out what St. Paul said: that we have the very mindset or sentiments of Christ. (cfr. Phil 2,5)

It’s in this context that some of those who are given a special vocation from God choose to live in what is known as “apostolic celibacy” so they can give themselves more to the others.

It’s when we give our heart to God through Christ in the Holy Spirit that we can also have the very merciful heart of Christ, willing to bear all the burdens of everyone, including their miseries and sins, doing this with determination and commitment if only to gain pardon and the ultimate victory of our life.

It’s when we give our heart to God through Christ in the Holy Spirit that we can expect the purification of all sins, and the regeneration of hope and human love. It’s when we attain the fullness of our humanity, when God will give us “grace upon grace” (cfr. Jn1,16)
How important therefore that we learn to engage our heart with the right treasure, the ultimately genuine one, the one that lasts forever, and not the many pseudo-treasures that the world offers.

Thus, we should often echo those words in Scriptures in our ears: “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.” (Prov 23,26) Or, Christ’s words: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…” (Lk 10,27) Here God both begs and commands us to give our heart to him.

This is when we can have a truly big and compassionate heart especially when we do apostolate.

We had been captive of an educational system where students are trained to pass exams as a measure of success. It is not surprising that students fix their focus on the hows of passing the multifarious examinations they are to face in the course of their studies. Here is where many students develop the wrong notion that passing is the be all and end all of their schooling. There is no other purpose for schooling than to pass the tests in order to succeed. This passing mentality had been ingrained in the minds of our students and many of them do not care about the essence of learning anymore. What becomes the primordial concern for the student is passing by all means and at all costs, setting aside or making learning merely incidental.

While passing examinations is one good measure of one’s learning, it is not a foolproof indicator that the passer is indeed a learned person. As passing is attained in many ways under our system, there is no guaranty that the passer is truly equipped with the knowledge he ought to possess. There are students who struggle just to get the correct answers of examinations without giving value to the learning process. Many students resort to pointers and tips and even to the extent of cheating just to get a passing grade. There are those who rely on coached answers from classmates who are brighter and knowledgeable. This crop of students finds the many ways to pass without learning.

It is now an acute syndrome to cure the system that had inculcated the passing mentality at the expense of true learning. We had been used to such system and making radical changes will surely be on a collision course with many fixated concepts that are too rigid for change. But our educators and authorities must realize that the system is getting overrun by the fast changing demands for functional education. The need to develop new methods where knowledge and competence could be measured better than by mere passing grades that are obtained without validation is very much in order.

One clear indicator that defines the infirmity of the present system is how many of our college graduates are still failures for being incompetent on the job despite passing the many tests all throughout their schooling from pre-elementary to college. It is really a cause for concern that graduates of our educational system fall incompetent on the job. While the situation may be connected to the convenient excuse of the mismatches in education and job needs, it still needs serious attention and consideration for reforms in our educational system.

There must be a way of measuring knowledge on one hand and competence on the other hand in order to ensure that the educated person is ready to become a functional and competent worker. Requiring students to pass is not entirely wrong. It affords a good measure of ones knowledge if administered properly. But the same must be coupled with measures of competence which is more necessary on the job than mere passing grades.
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In a previous article, I touched upon the concept of empathy, and today, I’d like to delve deeper into its role in enhancing communication. As an entrepreneur, you are likely to interact with a diverse range of individuals – clients, employees, and customers. The way you communicate with them and react to their messages can significantly impact your relationships and your business’s success.

Effective communication surpasses mere verbal exchanges, encompassing a broader spectrum of interconnected elements. It involves understanding the underlying sentiments and perspectives that give meaning to these words. This is where empathy comes into play. Empathy enables us to comprehend the intentions and emotions behind a speaker’s words, fostering a deeper level of understanding and connection. It ensures that the essence of their message is not lost in translation and that their opinions and suggestions are valued and understood.

In the world of business, the power of empathetic communication cannot be overstated. It fosters a culture of respect and understanding, promoting stronger, more harmonious relationships. It enables entrepreneurs to respond effectively and empathetically to the diverse needs and perspectives of their stakeholders. Through empathetic communication, entrepreneurs can create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is heard, valued, and respected. Ultimately, empathy enhances communication, drives understanding, and fosters mutual respect – the pillars of successful business relationships.

In the vast spectrum of human relationships, whether personal or professional, one factor that significantly influences the quality of these interactions is empathy. Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, forms the bedrock of effective communication and plays a pivotal role in fostering strong, meaningful relationships.

At its core, empathy is about stepping into the shoes of another, seeing things from their perspective, and resonating with their emotions. This act of understanding creates a bridge of shared experience that can deepen and enhance the quality of communication. When we approach conversations with empathy, we are not just exchanging words or ideas; we are connecting with the shared human experience, acknowledging the feelings, perspectives, and experiences of others.

In personal relationships, empathy aids in fostering deeper connections and mutual understanding. It allows one to comprehend the emotions of loved ones, thereby enabling one to respond appropriately and supportively. By validating their feelings and experiences, we create an environment where they feel heard, understood, and valued. This empathetic approach strengthens bonds, reduces conflict, and enhances the overall quality of personal relationships.

In the professional realm, empathy is no less vital. It forms the basis for effective teamwork and leadership. When leaders demonstrate empathy towards their team members, they create a supportive work environment where employees feel understood and valued. This, in turn, boosts morale, enhances productivity, and fosters a culture of inclusivity and respect. Similarly, empathy towards clients or customers can lead to better understanding of their needs and expectations, thereby improving service delivery and customer satisfaction.

However, practicing empathy requires conscious effort and a genuine willingness to understand others. It involves active listening, observing non-verbal cues, and refraining from quick judgments. Moreover, it requires a balance, as excessive empathy can lead to emotional exhaustion. Therefore, it’s crucial to practice empathy with boundaries, ensuring one’s emotional well-being.

Empathy is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance communication in both personal and professional relationships. By fostering mutual understanding and respect, empathy can lead to stronger connections, reduced conflicts, and a more inclusive and supportive environment. As we navigate the intricacies of human relationships, let us harness the power of empathy to build bridges of understanding and pave the way for meaningful and enriching interactions.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!