How often do you "look before you leap?"
"Think before you talk?"
Do you like to plan out everything that you are going to say without doing anything or saying anything in the "spur of the moment?" Do you consider yourself a "spontaneous" person?
There are people in the world who like to consider all of the options before they act. They are very deliberate in what they do and don't do anything unless they are quite sure that they can predict all of the ramifications of a particular action. These also happen to be the type of people who get quite bent out of shape when things don't go their way. Sure, they may be cool on the exterior, but the inside is a boiler plate, waiting to explode.
Somehow, these are the people that everyone else sees as "prudent" or acting in a "wise" fashion.
On the other hand we have the people that will walk away in the middle of a conversation. The people that will basically do whatever their whim is telling them to do. They may also be holding in some anger, but they don't hold it for very long. They are "scattered" and "unpredictable". Sometimes they do things that do not get the desired reaction, and everyone except themselves knows exactly why.
These people are not often considered "prudent" or "wise."
They don't seem to care or act with any thought to the future.
Or do they?
Here is my issue with most people who consider themselves "prudent." Christ specfically told us that we had to worry about today. Tomorrow has enough problems for itself. We never have Christ telling us to "cautiously" evangelize or embrace sainthood. He tells us to be cunning and gentle.
Yet there is one particular future that the saints are primarily concerned with and I think this is what makes them "disconcerting," "unpredictable," and even "not prudent" to those who are concerned with and care about the future.
They are concerned with Heaven, not the heaven on Earth we humans keep trying to create.
They are not concerned with their reputations, they are concerned with their souls.
They are not concerned with making the people around them feel good about themselves, they are concerned with making sure the people around them are holy.
They are not concerned with doing things in an awesome way for fear that other people will be intimidated, God will never ask you if you "fit in" with the world.
They are not concerned that no one will like them or what they have to say, the truth is more important than being liked.
They are not concerned with fitting in, they are concerned with fitting in to Heaven.
See, prudence is not simply a matter of being "cautious" in our actions so that we don't rock the boat. Prudence is the ability to rock the boat when it is going in the wrong direction or there are pirates on board that need to be thrown off.
So how does our sense of prudence change if we are primarily concerned with Heaven? What do we do? How do we act?
We speak the truth.
We refuse to use others as a means to an end.
We worship God with abandon, not trying to fit the mold of the worshiper next to us.
Since holiness, Grace, and Heaven make no sense to the world, then the prudent saint actually appears to be anything but prudent.
To the person who is more concerned with the world and their reputation, to throw away your life for the Gospel is imprudent.
To the person who is more concerned with making money, selling everything you have and giving it to the poor is imprudent.
To the person who is more concerned that their church, their ministry, or their school fits the mold that the world has set out as successful, then simply teaching Jesus to your congregation, your ministry, or your students is the most imprudent thing of all.
To the person who is more concerned that they do well in their job, leaving every day to go to daily mass or adoration is imprudent.
You get the idea.
Maybe you have considered yourself a prudent person. Defined as concerned and caring about the future.
Be sure you are concerned and caring about the future that matters.
Questions for Reflection:
- How does the world around you see prudence? How do they act it out? List five behaviors that are considered "prudent."
- Which future are you mostly concerned about in your own life? The future of tomorrow or the future of everlasting life?
- What would change if you were more prudent about Heaven and less prudent about tomorrow?
- Is there anyone in your own life that you consider to be prudent about Heaven first? How do their actions match up?
- What concrete changes can you make in your life in order to start making Heaven more of a priority, so that even your spontaneous actions are prudent?
- Put God first in a situation where it would seem "imprudent" to do so.
- Is there something that you have been thinking about volunteering for or starting? Perhaps you have been holding back because you don't "have the time" or you don't think that it would be prudent to do such a thing at this point. Take a moment to brainstorm. If you put Heaven first, does that change your decision? Does that change what it is that you would like to do?
- Take your to-do list for the week and put "Get to Heaven" as the number one project. Recognizes what changes in priority.
- What does a truly prudent financial plan look like? Does it include tithing? Is it time to re-evaluate your own financial plan?
- Prudently map out your relationships. Which relationships are helping you get to Heaven? Are there any that are not? Take appropriate actions to improve those relationships that are not or end them. Prudently.
Simply worship God throughout the day. Allow your soul to connect with God. If you don't know what to say, simply say the name of Jesus. Or repeat the word Alleluia. Allow the Holy Spirit to work.
Psalm 38:21-22 In times of lust:
Do not forsake me O Lord, O my God be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation!
A Prayer for the Gift of Prudence (to be said in the morning)
Jesus, artful Master of Parables, your prudence eluded the hypocrites. Your actions were known before creation, displaying all the wisdom of Your prudence. Eternity must have attened to minutia. Being prudent in Your best interest, You considered all potential consequences, securing the outcome of Your earthly life. Grant me the prudence to always be cautious and sensitive to the basic needs of others. Jesus, You have shown great foresight, prudence truly originates from Your Being. Amen.
