Day 20 Reflection –

Prudence

Catechism cf. #1806 – Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.

A lion broke loose from the visiting circus and the mayor organized a crack volunteer team to track the lion down.
“Before we go,” suggested the local executive, “let’s all have a drink.” They all drank whisky except Henry.
“Henry, what’s the idea of drinking milk?” demanded the mayor. “We’re all drinking whisky…”
“Not me,” replied Henry. “Whisky gives too much courage.”

The virtue of prudence enables us to be conscientious and faithful to our duty and state of life. A stone-mason may regard himself as a mere machine for breaking rock or proudly considers himself as an architect’s assistant. It all depends on his point of view. If he is entirely ignorant or even forgetful of the purpose of the stone which he is chiseling, he will be but like a machine. But if he has some idea that what he is doing is an important part of the building of a cathedral, his work takes on meaning. If he has some idea where this stone will be place, how it will be placed, how it will serve, how it will look – he shares in the glory of the architect.
Likewise, a teacher may be nothing more than a drillmaster or the trainer of a dog if she does not know the true nature of a child and the eternal purpose of life. Prudence reminds a teacher that he is falling far short of the ideal, if she does not know that every bundle of energy sitting before her is a child of God, destined for the eternal glory of God.

The sinking of the ship, Titanic, is one of the most harrowing stories of disaster due to lack of prudence. Recently, a writer, retelling the Titanic tragedy, mentioned that many of the lifeboats that pulled out from the ill-fated vessel were not even half-full. Fear caused the occupants to pull away, leaving others that might have been saved. A certain passenger who had jumped into the ocean managed to make his way to one of these half-empty boats. Clutching the side, he tried to climb in. Not a hand was offered to help. Rather, one woman seized an oar and pounded his hands until he had to let go and drop back to his death. Why such unreasonable cruelty? It was born of senseless fear, the groundless fear that another passenger would sink the lifeboat. Fear brutalized her. Fear turned her into a beast.

Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, be my constant companion and friend so that when quick decisions and actions are needed, I may mount up with the wings of an eagle. When I am under Your direction, I become sensitive to the needs of people even under pressure. Always strengthen me that I may run and not be weary; in times of routine and humble duty, I may walk and not faint.
O Holy Spirit, with You I am like a tiny bird that can fly through the tempest yet can still sing. I pray not for miracles and wonders but for the gift of trust similar to an innocent child who experiences a sense of awe and wonder in everything. Amen.