Readings:

Jer. 20:7-9; Ps. 63; Rm. 12:1-2; Matt. 16:21-27

Earlier this month, I joined a few online meetings with our fifth and sixth grade summer catechism students. One of the topics we discussed were the theological and cardinal virtues. The theological virtues are special graces given by God, which draw us closer to Him. They are faith, hope, and love. The cardinal virtues are those virtues that can be practiced by anyone; they are part of the natural, rational order of human beings. These were first observed and categorized by Ancient Greek philosophers such as PLATO and Aristotle, and later embraced by Christians. The cardinal virtues are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.

Today, I would like to focus on the virtue of prudence, which St. Thomas Aquinas places first among the virtues because it involves the intellect. This is the one virtue that requires the exercise of the mind. So, before we can get to the other virtues, we need to understand prudence. When I asked our summer students what prudence was, one of them spoke up very quickly saying, “It’s choosing what is right over what is wrong.” I have to say, not bad for a fifth grader. According to St. Thomas, prudence is “right reason applied to practice.” In other words, being prudent is the practice, or discipline, of discerning what is right and acting accordingly. So, bravo to our fifth graders for having such a good grasp of prudence.

So, at the heart of exercising prudence is discernment, or the process by which one uses reason to determine the right course of action. We might even say discernment is prudence in action. The two, while mutually exclusive, are mutually beneficial to the person. When used together, the person places rational thought and right judgment over that which may damage the intellect, the body, or the soul.

The thing about virtues like prudence is that we have to exercise them in order to gain any benefit. And part of exercising prudence is learning how to choose what is right over what is wrong. Part of this comes to us through common sense—we all know that life is good, which is why we try to preserve it, and avoid situations that might be fatal. Another part is wisdom, which comes from the experience of exercising prudence ourselves, but also from seeing others exercising it well, and even seeking their counsel and advice. Our pastor was prudent in his cooperation with the bishop and the Health Department to ensure our safety while worshiping together. Lastly, and most importantly, part of learning how to exercise prudence comes from God, and this happens by way of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. Our faith teaches us what is right and just, our hope helps us to strive for holiness, and the love of God helps us refrain from wanting to offend God.

So, prudence is discernment in action, but how do we discern well? Jesus asks, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” When we act as human beings do, we tend to loose sight of what God wants for us. But, when we seek God’s will and act accordingly, we find ourselves on the path with Jesus. Jesus urges his disciples to think as God does, not as human beings do. It is so easy to become preoccupied with the things of this world, its allurements, its temptations, its ideologies, its greed. The goal of the Christian, as St. Paul says, is not to conform ourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of our mind, that we may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. In other words, we are to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Christ.

It’s not always easy to exercise prudence. In Jeremiah’s case, he was given the grace to know the truth and concluded that since he knows it, he can’t help but preach it. It was like a fire burning in his heart. And so, he spoke the truth, even though the people did not want to hear it, because regardless of how the truth is received at a given moment, it will always prevail. So, while it can be difficult to exercise prudence, we are called to make that sacrifice for God. Is it not better for people to hear the truth rather than lies?

God reveals the truth to us, and it is up to us to live according to that truth. What the Church, and indeed our country needs today, is a renewal of virtuous living, healthy discernment, and the exercise of practical wisdom. For too long have we been seeing people conform to the whims of this age. Now is the time to bring back virtue; now is the time to bring back what is good and pleasing and perfect.

We all benefit from the exercise of virtues like prudence, and as we grow in our life of virtue, God strengthens us in faith, hope, and love. And as the theological virtues are manifest in each of us; the more we exercise right judgment; the more we offer ourselves as sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. May our celebration of the Eucharist today, the perfect sacrifice, unite us in the truth, inspire us to lives of virtue, and lead us to true peace.

Given during the COVID-19 pandemic.