Prudence

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Forethought

Discrete     Knowledgeable

Examining     Reasoning     Choosing

Prudence Was Given Me

Wisdom

(photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture: Wisdom 7: 7 to 12

As I was at prayer, prudence was given to me. I cried out and Wisdom came upon me. I valued this more than a scepter or a throne. 

I thought of riches as minor in comparison to her and I did not equate any valuable jewel with her.

All gold in comparison with her is like sand and silver is just mire.

I loved her more than health and beauty.

I chose her over light because her splendor never ends.

All good things came to me because of her and numerous riches from her hands.

I was joyful in all of them because Wisdom is their leader even though I did not realize that she was their mother.

(scripture adapted by John J. McNamara) 

This passage from the Book of Wisdom celebrates the importance of prudence. The author praises the value of this virtue which connects closely with Wisdom.

Prudence helps us to take the right path in life. So many times we are confronted with difficult choices.

It helps us to know when to speak to someone and how to phrase it in such a way that the person we are communicating with will hear what we are trying to say. 

We can all think of situations when we had to communicate some difficult news or something unpleasant. Think of a supervisor at work who has to let an employee go. No one wants to deliver that news.

Yet if we soften the blow in a compassionate way and express our disappointment in having to do this, it can make such a difference. We can communicate that the person was valuable but that we were forced to downsize.

Such an important virtue---a real difference maker in our own lives and in the lives of those we know. This is why the author can say that prudence is so much more valuable than gold or silver. 

All of the riches of this world are as "mire" in comparison to prudence. This is because prudence can transform situations of darkness and negativity into light and growth. 

Prudence shows us a path forward when we did not think there was one. Think of those who negotiate peace treaties. Where many thought war was inevitable, the skilled diplomat finds a way to bring opposing sides together.

The author even states that prudence is more important to us than health and beauty. Inevitably health deteriorates and beauty fades. Prudence, like all virtues, grows stronger the more we exercise it.

We know that we are being prudent because the author tells us that goodness and riches will flow from our prudent actions. Prudence leads to true joy.

The author compares prudence and Wisdom to a mother---a mother who knows us well and who guides us towards Love. 

Kathy found her photo this week as we walked at the beach. It is important to fight for the things that are meaningful to us and that we believe in. The prudent person does it in such a way that others join in. Wisdom from the beach!

1. How important is prudence in your life?

2. Who is the person in your life who most demonstrates the virtue of prudence?

3. What have you found to be the best way to get others to join you in fighting injustice?