Oct 20 Sun
Prudence is a necessary virtue.
“In St Matthew's Gospel, we read: The Pharisees went and took counsel that they might trap him in his talk. Don't forget that this hypocritical approach is a common tactic even in our times. I suspect that the tares of the Pharisees will never be wiped out in this world; they have always managed to grow at such an amazing rate. Perhaps our Lord tolerates this growth to make us, his sons, more prudent, for prudence is essential for anyone whose job is to judge, strengthen, correct, fire with enthusiasm, or encourage. And that is exactly what a Christian has to do, by taking advantage, as an apostle, of the situations of his ordinary work to help the people around him."
“At this point, I raise my heart to God, and I ask him through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin –who is in the Church and yet above the Church, who is between Christ and the Church, protecting us and reigning over us, the Mother of all mankind, as she is of our Lord– through her, I beg that He may grant the gift of prudence to every one of us, and especially to those who, immersed in the bloodstream of society, wish to work for God; because it will stand us in very good stead to learn to be prudent."
“The scene from the Gospel continues to unfold: the Pharisees sent their disciples with some of those who were of Herod's party, and said: Master... Note how craftily they call him ‘Master.’ They pretend to be his admirers and friends, treating him as they would a person from whom they expect to receive instruction."
“We know that you are truthful... What infamous guile! Have you ever come across such double-dealing? Take care then how you pass through this world. Don't be overcautious or distrustful. But you should feel on your shoulders –remembering the image of the Good Shepherd depicted in the catacombs– the weight of the lost sheep, which represents not just a single soul, but the entire Church, the entire humanity."
“If you accept this responsibility with good grace and zest, you will become both daring and prudent in defending and proclaiming God's rights. And then, because of the integrity of your life, many people will come to regard you as teachers and call you so, even though you have no such ambition, for we have no interest in earthly glory. But, at the same time, don't be surprised if, among the many who approach you, some creep up to you with no other purpose than to flatter you. I would like you to register deep in your souls those words that you have so often heard from me: we must never let anything, neither slander, nor backbiting, neither human respect, nor the fear of what others may say, and much less the praise of the hypocrites, stand in the way of the fulfillment of our duty."
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