Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Outliers, presented something he called the 10,000-hour rule. Basically, in order to master a particular skill, it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice.
Anders Ericsson modified that rule in a 1993 research paper to include “deliberate practice,” by which he meant that a teacher’s guidance was also necessary to help a person develop and improve. (“Researcher Behind ’10,000-Hour Rule’ Says Good Teaching Matters, Not Just Practice,” by Jeffrey R. Young, May 5, 2020; EdSurge Podcast).
The Church knows this well, and today’s readings at Mass reiterate messages heard earlier this week (The Messiah will bring salvation, but not in the way the people of Israel expect; No one comes to the Father except through Jesus). In fact, each liturgical year is set up with cyclical seasons (Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter), as well as a three-year cyclical of Scriptural readings for Mass, to reinforce the teaching of Jesus.
Our lives are filled with repetition. Most likely, our livelihoods have also been peppered with mentors and shepherds to help us develop and improve. We are willing to make such efforts and take direction from trusted persons because of the value we place on the outcomes.
It’s good to review our values every now and then.
Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections