| September 9, 2001 Wisdom 9:13-18 + Philemon 9-10:12-17 + Luke 14:25-33 |
| A first reading of today’s instruction on the way to Jerusalem may lead us to think that Luke has Jesus talking about commitment and the consequent renouncing of all things, or that he’s inviting the disciple to take up a cross. However that may be, those ideas fail to dig beneath the words and get behind examples. It is the later verses of this text that lead us into virtue as a quality of life rather than simply into behavior Remember, first discipleship is about being something, then, from that comes the doing of something. In fact, the very effort to get that straight in our minds is what it’s all about. The disciple is always asking: “What kind of person shall I be?” rather than. “What shall I do?” The doing will take care of itself once the being is in place. |
| So, our Gospel text today leads us back to that consideration – and from what Jesus has to say at this pause when turns to the crowd is that those who would be his disciples will be Prudent. Those ofus schooled in any Christian spirituality will immediately recall those “Cardinal Virtues” we may have once learned.Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude. They come to us from the Book of Wisdom chapter 8, verse 7 “If one loves justice, the fruits of her works are virtues, for she teaches moderation and prudence, justice and fortitude, and nothing in life is more useful than these. ” Ancient Greeks, Thomas Aquinas, Augustine and Bernard of Clairveaux all developed thought about these virtues as central to good moral living. |
| When Jesus puts this ancient wisdom into his formation program for disciples, he suggests that his disciples will be people of action,not cautious, timid, frightened, mediocre, and inactive. These are not the qualities of Prudence.In fact, they are just the opposite.Prudence seeks the best way to do the right thing. The point is the DOING.It is a virtue of action, not of passive caution. |
| Back in the 20s and 30s, a phenomenon of Christian action spread from Belgium and France to this country taking the form of what we called: “The Christian Family Movement, CFM”The heart of that program was simply the Virtue of Prudence reduced to three principals:SEE, JUDGE, ACTThe passage of time may have left the CFM movement in the past, but not its wisdom. |
| The obstacles to prudence are what Jesus confronts in his formation of disciples: procrastination, negligence, hesitation, inconsistancy, rashness ( like the people in the examples of the gospel ) and rationalization. All of these are excuses for doing nothing or for doing the wrong thing. |
| In terms of those Cardinal Virtues, Prudence is the first.Prudence enables one to avoid acting against justice because of greed or favorites. Prudence prevents one from acting against temperance by keeping good desires, like food or sex, from running wild and taking control of our lives, or controlling wrong desires, like revenge.Prudence prevents one from acts against fortitude by finding a way between excessive fear and blind recklessness. |
| We are called to be Prudent – which always means to be people of action. wise, accountable, reasonable, and responsible. The Prudent have an desire to discern. In Oklahoma very soon, there is a call to action, and this Gospel could not have come at a better time. 695 will be before us very soon.The Prudent will ask questions not quote statistics that can be used any which way they can be twisted. Before the answer “Yes” or “No” is given, there are other questions to ask.The SOONER CATHOLIC, and next Sunday’s Bulletin will publish a statement from the Council of Priests in the Archdiocese which poses four questions.They are questions the prudent will ask. |
| It’s a serious issue for disciples of Jesus, this matter of Prudence.It guides and motivates the prophet. It always sees the big picture of life rather than just the little stuff.It is a way of living in relationship to others and to things that seeks the Will of God in all things.Prudent disciples know themselves, take time to reflect upon their experience, integrate and relate that experience to the experience of others, to the Word of God, to the good of all, and to all the consequences of action.Prudent disciples ask questions, inquire, probe, wonder, and pray |