Into the Deep

   “I prayed, and prudence was given me” (Wis 7:7) are the first words that we listen in this weekend’s readings. These words belong to King Solomon, to whom tradition attributes the book of Wisdom, and correspond to the episode of 1 Kings 3:5-15 in which God appears to Solomon in a dream and offers him “ask me for whatever you wish” (v. 5), Solomon, instead of asking for riches or power, asks God for “a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil” (v. 9). God was pleased with such a request (v. 10) and granted it to him in addition to riches and glory.

   In our daily life, however, the use of prudence might not sound that appealing or important. In the minds and hearts of many, the concept of prudence is very close to what the Cambridge Dictionary offers as a definition: “behavior that is careful and avoids risks”. We live in a world with many threats, and we have grown very protective of our lives, health, properties, children or legal rights. Risks, liabilities, insurances, “hold harmless” forms… are very present in our modern world. And they, certainly, have an important mission protecting us. We are more  prudent than ever, are we?

   In the Bible, however, prudence is related to wisdom, and many times both virtues can be exchanged like in today’s first reading: “I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.” O like in the book of Proverbs: “I, wisdom, dwell in prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.” (Prv 8:12). In general, it refers to the capacity of guiding

one’s life in accordance with God’s will and teachings balancing action with contemplation.

   This biblical concept has been enriched by the classical philosophy and Christian theology. A great testimony of this tradition is St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274). Prudence, then, is elevated to the rank of “charioteer of the virtues”, as it is the virtue that directs and guides the operation of all the other moral virtues by applying moral principles to particular situations. It is right reason applied to action. It involves the intellectual ability to distinguish what is good for the human person and to carry out acts that align with the true good in particular instances. It comprises several parts: memory, understanding, docility, shrewdness, reasoning, circumspection, foresight, caution. Every single part very interesting. But we don’t have here the space to explain them all.

   This philosophical-theological vision of prudence with its biblical roots is taken up by the Catechism when it defines it as “the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it” (CCC 1806). And explains that: “It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation.”

   Now we can understand the invitation of Christ in the Gospel: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (Mk 10:21).

   In the eyes of our world, and many times in our own eyes, this might sound like a very imprudent invitation: leave behind all your securities, your possibilities, your family and follow this Rabbi from Galilee. And even more so knowing that the rich young man was already a

good person who kept the commandments (v. 20). Too much risk! However, he missed the opportunity of a lifetime, probably against what his heart was telling him, of receiving “a hundred times more now” (v. 30), and “went away sad”. Let’s learn the lesson, dear brothers and sisters: be prudent and risk everything for Christ.

   Blessings,