Dear St. Theresa family,
The over all feeling today is one of uncertainty. In unprecedented times that is not unusual. Looking for a virtue to match the moment, I hit on prudence.
Proverbs 13:16 states: “In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.” I want to know the will of God, but how can I be sure of what it is? How many Christians have asked this question! Prudence is one of the four cardinal virtues and has always been considered indispensable in the following the way of the Lord.
Whereas obedience is needed in the case of choosing between good and evil, prudent discernment is what we need in all those choices between two good paths where either one could be the will of God. Here is where turning to the saints pays off when it comes to avoiding self-deception.They always insist on good spiritual direction when the issue is addressing uncertainty with wisdom.
“God guides all by the action of his grace. Therefore, do not be lazy or lose heart but call to God day and night to ask him to send you help from above to teach you what to do.” - St. Anthony of the Desert
“Read unwearyingly the precepts of the Lord and you will know what to avoid and what to pursue. Without discretion virtue becomes vice and the natural impulses serve only to upset and wreck the personality. Few pay attention to prudence because few possess it. - St. Bernard of Clairvaux
“ Never assert anything without first being assured of it.” - St. Teresa of Avila
“If something uncharitable is said in your presence, either speak in favor of the absent, or withdraw, or, if possible, stop the conversation.” - St. John Vianney
“You must always have prudence and love. Prudence has the eyes; love has the legs. Love which has the legs would like to run to God, but its impulse to rush toward him is blind and at time might stumble, if it were not guided by prudence which has the eyes. When prudence sees that love could become unbridled, it loans its eyes to love. In this way love restrains itself and guided by prudence, acts as it should and not as it would like.” - St. Francesco Forgione (Padre Pio)
“Never make a decision without first stopping to consider the matter in the presence of God” - Blessed Jose Escriva
“I know Christ dwells within me all the time, guiding me and inspiring me whenever I do or say anything. A light, of which I caught non glimmer before, comes to me at the very moment when it is needed.” - St. Therese of Lisieux
I save the quote from the “Little Flower” for last as its simplicity and child-like trust embraces best the Gospel message.
Grace and peace…It’s very hot, stay hydrated!
Fr. Larry
