PRUDENCE

PRUDENT
Therefore at such a time 
the prudent person keeps silent, 
for it is an evil time.

Amos 5:13

The principal safeguard is a prudent reserve, and not allowing liberties to be taken with you. Purity is a precious jewel, and the owner of a precious stone would never dream of making a display of his riches in the presence of thieves.  -- St John Bosco

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it (Proverbs 22:3).  A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly (Proverbs 12:23). The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps (Proverbs 14:15). Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues (Proverbs 10:19).

In Catholic catechism, the 4 cardinal virtues are Prudence, Justice, Restraint or Temperance, and Courage or Fortitude. These were adopted by the Church Fathers.

This, in many ways, is a very strange parable. At first glance, it seems to be praising unscrupulous dishonesty. The steward who is about to be dismissed defrauds his master in order to gain the favor of his clients so that they will look after him when he is out of work. However, the point Jesus wants to make is not to applaud the dishonesty of the steward but to highlight how he used his situation to his advantage. We, too, should use our positions to further the work of God.

Luke 16: 1 - 8
1     He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.
2     And he called him and said to him, `What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.'
3     And the steward said to himself, `What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.
4     I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.'
5     So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, `How much do you owe my master?'
6     He said, `A hundred measures of oil.' And he said to him, `Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.'
7     Then he said to another, `And how much do you owe?' He said, `A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, `Take your bill, and write eighty.'
8     The master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

DOING THE RIGHT THING

The man we hear about in the Gospel is in serious trouble. His life and employment are at stake. Someone has been telling the owner that the steward of his affairs has been doing “dirty business.” The owner will have none of this in his company and so asks for an account of the manager’s affairs. The manager will no longer hold his position. He will lose his job and will be in a rough time. The man is in a crisis. What will he do?

Jesus is pointing out to us in this story the shrewdness of the manager. He knows that his life in the business is about to end. He has thought about his future. Now he seeks to make things right so other employees may welcome him. “I will scratch your back if you scratch mine” is a common phrase. This is the “utang na loob,” the favor for favor. He is shrewd, wise and clever. He perceives and he acts. Too bad, he loses his job. At least he will have some sense of security even if he loses the security of his employment. He goes about reducing debts from his fellowmen. Whether he was giving away what is rightfully owed to the master or if he was reducing overpriced debts, he turns out to be very wise in his dealings.

The point that Jesus is making through this parable is that the people of God should be zealous in the affairs of God. We should act wisely.

Prudence is a gift of the Holy Spirit, one of the cardinal virtues. We need to be cunning as serpents and wise as doves. Prudence tells us that we should be practical in affairs and cautious in our undertakings. The prudent man looks where he is going (Proverbs 14:15). To be prudent is to discern the good in a given circumstance and the right means of achieving it (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1806).

The above-mentioned Gospel is an example of this. He wants to save his life (good) and takes the effort of reducing the debts (right means). Do we practice prudence in our dealings with others? Do we consider the future of our wellbeing? What steps do we take to ensure that our life is in the hands of God? Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Where have you seen prudence at work in your life?

Give me the virtue of prudence that I may always do what is pleasing and right in Your sight. Amen.

Published: 4/21/11-5:51PM