As a society, we are not good at waiting.  We use online banking and auto-deposit because who wants to take the time to go to the bank and wait in line?  In many states, a driver license can be renewed with the click of a mouse as well.  Information is available anywhere, anytime via smartphones.  And who needs to cook anymore with grocery stores filled with foods that can be warmed and ready to eat within 10 minutes using a microwave?  We live in a world of sound bites and catch-phrases, a world that fosters busyness in the name of industry and rewards instant gratification.

There is no other time of the year when this is more evident than the season leading up to Christmas Day.  Customers bemoan the fact Christmas decor is prominently displayed before the Halloween costomes have had time to gather dust and that holiday jingles are blaring by some radio DJs before the Thanksgiving turkey has been carved.  But by Thanksgiving night and the day we now know as “Black Friday”, our society is primed and ready for a race to the “big day.”  Trees are trimmed, the mP3 player playlists are switched to seasonal tunes and shoppers begin a frantic, and for some increasingly violent, quest for the perfect gifts.  By Christmas Day, everyone is left drained, broke and empty.  And it’s all over.

But did you know there is a season before Christmas?  A time of quiet waiting in hopeful expectation for the Savior of the world?  Advent.  Just as a woman expecting a child waits with hope and in preparation for the coming birth, the Church waits with longing for the Messiah.  The Jewish people of the Old Testament waited with desire and hope for the One who was to come.  We wait with confident desire, looking back at the Redemption that has taken place, but also forward to Jesus’ second coming.  To help us in this preparation and waiting, we embrace a time of increased penance and prayers, clearing out the distractions and clutter so we can make room in our hearts and lives for Christ on the day of His birth.  An Advent wreath, with its four candles, one for each Sunday before Christmas, counts down the weeks, and each week, as another candle is lit, the light grows a little brighter during the dark nights of winter.

Other traditions, such as a Jesse tree, take us through salvation history, from creation, Adam and Eve and the fall of man, to Noah, Abraham, David, all the way to Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.  Advent calendars and Nativity scenes, or creches, also make their appearance.  But, with these scenes, the manger lays empty and their are no wise men present…yet.  Some families build mangers and have their children add pieces of straw, yarn, or other “bedding” for every good deed they complete, so that by Christmas, the Christ child will have some place warm and soft to sleep.  Christmas trees, cookies, and celebrations are held until the arrival of Christmas and then the celebration lasts!

Today, being the first Sunday of Advent, we are reminded during Mass why we need a savior in the first place.  From the first reading: “Behold, thou wast angry, and we have sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?  We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”  Isaiah 64:5, 6.  And from today’s second reading, St. Paul encourages us that “it is now the hour…to rise from sleep.”  We have sinned, and Christ has come.  But He is also here and is coming again.  This time of Advent is meant to be an opportunity to look for the coming of Christ with hopeful anticipation. To help with that, one of our priests shared a challenge I plan to undertake and wanted to share with you – reading the book of Isaiah during Advent.  At 66 chapters, that would average out to just under three chapters a day.  Why Isaiah?  Many of the prophesies and passages contained in the book of Isaiah mention or relate directly to the Messiah and the longing of the Jewish people for His coming. 

We are not good at waiting.  But perhaps it is not us who is doing the waiting…perhaps it is Christ who is waiting for us to stop our frantic busyness and seek Him in the poor and the humble.  In the stillness and in the quiet this Advent season, He waits and the Church encourages and teaches us to wait for Him too.

“The tree of man’s defeat became his tree of victory; where life was lost, there life has been restored through Christ our Lord.”  ~From the preface of the Exaltation of the Cross

 A long, long, long time ago, a tree led to man’s downfall – Adam and Eve, in disobedience to God, ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and sin entered the world.  Today, we celebrate the exaltation of the cross of Christ – the tree that brought man victory over sin and death. 

 But the beauty and triumph of the cross is not found in the cross itself.  The cross is a torturous instrument of capital punishment.  Those condemned to die by them suffered terribly and for hours, or days even, before dying.  Where is the beauty in such agony, such suffering?  It is found in the One who hung from its branches. 

 If you want to truly know God, look at Christ crucified.  Look at His wounds, His suffering, the consequences of sin.  What you will see is Love absolute.  As Jesus told Nicodemus, “[j]ust as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  It was because of love that Jesus was obedient, even to death on a cross.

 This is why Catholics hang crucifixes in their homes and churches.  Not because we deny or diminish the Resurrection, but because the same Jesus who was resurrected first had to “be lifted up” so He could “draw all men to Himself.”  We are saved by Jesus, not a cross.  We look upon His beautiful face, the wounds in His hands, feet, and side as he hangs on the cross and we see Love poured out for us.  For you.  For me.  And joining Paul, we say, “God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14). 

 Christ suffered for you
And left you an example
To have you follow in his footsteps.

He did no wrong;
No deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted,
He returned no insult.

When he was made to suffer,
He did not counter with threats.
Instead he delivered himself up
To the One who judges justly.

In his own body
He brought your sins to the cross,
So that all of us, dead to sin,
Could live in accord with God’s will.

By his wounds, you were healed.

~I Peter 2:21-24

 We remember too that Jesus tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him.  Since the earliest times, Christians have traced themselves with the cross by making the sign of the cross. 

“The sign of the cross is the salute of the true follower of Christ whether he is conqueror or conquered, whether he is German, Chinese, American or Australian. It is the countersign of the Christian. In particular, it is the special salute of the Catholic. 

The sign of the cross is one of the most important and one of the most frequently used of the sacramentals. It is the sacred sign first taught to the feeble fingers of the child at its mother’s knee; it is the sacred sign traced by the faltering fingers of the dying Catholic. From birth to death it is the holy sign, the holy ceremony that continually reminds the Catholic of the source from which all spiritual blessings come—the cross.

The two most common forms of this sacramental are the large sign of the cross made by touching the forehead, the breast, and the left and right shoulders. The cross thus covers the body—at least the most important members—the head and heart. The smaller sign of the cross is traced upon the forehead, lips, and breast.

1 Why do we make the sign of the cross?

a. To remind us of the Blessed Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We repeat their names while making the sign.

b. To remind us that the Son of God died on a cross for all men. BeforeCalvaryit was a sign of disgrace. Christ made it a thing of glory and power.

c. To stir up our faith. It recalls that God is one and God is three; it recalls that the Second Person of the Trinity died for all men; it professes our faith; it identifies the Catholic. That is why the family of our story felt so secure, so much safer, as soon as they saw those American soldiers make the sacred sign.

d. To strengthen our hope. By making this sacred sign we express the hope that through the cross all blessings will come to us.

e. To kindle and feed our charity. Making this sign recalls the limitless love of Him who died upon the cross. We determine to return love for love.

The practice of making the sign of the cross, professing faith both in the redemption of Jesus and the Trinity dates back to at least the second century. It was said to recall the blood of the lambs marked on Jewish doorposts inEgypton the night of the Passover (Ex. 12:7) and to foreshadow the seal set on the foreheads of the saints in heaven.  St. Augustine(d. 430) mentioned and described it many times in his sermons and letters. One of the earliest records regarding making this sign was made by Tertullian, who wrote at the end of the second century: “In all our undertakings—when we enter a place or leave it; before we dress; before we bathe; when we take our meals; when we light the lamps in the evening; before we retire at night; when we sit down to read; before each new task—we trace the sign of the cross on our foreheads”.

Many, many other writings have commented on the use of the sign of the cross by Christians throughout history and saints exhort the faithful to make this sign often.  In the words of St. Gaudentius: “Let the sign of the cross be continually made on the heart, on the mouth, on the forehead, at table, at the bath, in bed, coming in and going out, in joy and sadness, sitting, standing, speaking, walking—in short, in all our actions. Let us make it on our breasts and all our members, that we may be entirely covered with this invincible armor of Christians.”

But why use a physical gesture, a bodily sign?  Because God created us body and spirit.  What the body does affects the spirit, and vice versa.  In the Old Testament, God continually used the physical world to convey His grace and demonstrate spiritual truth.  Case in point: the raising of the serpent on a pole to heal the Israelites in the desert.  Jesus used the physical world in His miracles as well: the water he turned to wine, the mud and spittle he used to heal the blind man.  Today we have the sacraments, that is, outward signs instituted by Christ that give grace: the waters of baptism, the oil of confirmation, the bread and wine transformed into Christ’s body and blood at Mass, and so on. 

The importance of bodily signs in our lives is drawn out by St. Thomas Aquinas who said: “by making use of bodily signs of humility, our desire to submit ourselves to God is aroused.”  This connection and integration God intended for humans is also reflected in the postures we take when we pray: standing, sitting, kneeling, and prostrations with our face on the ground.  The Dominicans refer often to St. Dominic’s Nine Waysof Prayer.  Even many Protestants cannot deny this reality as many are “compelled” to stand and raise their hands in praise and prayer to God; other religions recognize the importance of bodily signs and posture as well – think of a Muslim praying as he faces Mecca or a Buddhist meditating in the lotus position.

So today, take a moment and reflect on the cross and its message.  Gaze upon a crucifix and see the face of Divine Love.  Mark yourself with the sign of the cross and remember who you are in Jesus, beloved, and to whom you belong.  And as you embrace the crosses He allows in your life, offer them up in prayer for His glory.  Look for someone who needs help carrying their cross and share the graces, gifts, and love God has given you with others. 

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because, by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world!

For Christians all around the world, today, Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of the most holy time of year, the time when we remember our Lord and Savior’s final week – His suffering death, and resurrection.

Traditionally, this week would be a time of retreat and preparation. Business would slow and cease, while people prepared their homes and their hearts to receive our Risen Lord. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in particular were a time of busy housecleaning and preparation – meals were casual and light to allow more time for emptying and scouring and the home. This practice also continues the Jewish tradition of cleaning the home of all dirt and impurities prior to the Passover feast.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the Triduum, were observed as days of retreat: work ceased and time was spent in silence, prayer, and fasting. In today’s culture, we often can’t stop as we’d like, but the following reading by St. Gregory of Nazianzen, which is part of the Office of Readings on the Fifth Saturday of Lent, provides wonderful reflections we can use to mediate on the Lord’s Passion during Holy Week.

——————————————————————————————-

We are soon going to share in the Passover, and although we still do so only in a symbolic way, the symbolism already has more clarity than it possessed in former times because, under the law, the Passover was, if I may dare to say so, only a symbol of a symbol. Before long, however, when the Word drinks the new wine with us in the kingdom of his Father, we shall be keeping the Passover in a yet more perfect way, and with deeper understanding. He will then reveal to us and make clear what he has so far only partially disclosed. For this wine, so familiar to us now, is eternally new.

It is for us to learn what this drinking is, and for him to teach us. He has to communicate this knowledge to his disciples, because teaching is food, even for the teacher.

So let us take our part in the Passover prescribed by the law, not in a literal way, but according to the teaching of the Gospel; not in an imperfect way, but perfectly; not only for a time, but eternally. Let us regard as our home the heavenly Jerusalem, not the earthly one; the city glorified by angels, not the one laid waste by armies. We are not required to sacrifice young bulls or rams, beasts with horns and hoofs that are more dead than alive and devoid of feeling; but instead, let us join the choirs of angels in offering God upon his heavenly altar a sacrifice of praise. We must now pass through the first veil and approach the second, turning our eyes toward the Holy of Holies. I will say more: we must sacrifice ourselves to God, each day and in everything we do, accepting all that happens to us for the sake of the Word, imitating his passion by our sufferings, and honoring his blood by shedding our own. We must be ready to be crucified.

If you are a Simon of Cyrene; take up your cross and follow Christ. I f you are crucified beside him like one of the thieves, now, like the good thief, acknowledge your God. For your sake, and because of your sin, Christ himself was regarded as a sinner; for his sake, therefore, you must cease to sin. Worship him who was hung on the cross because of you, even if you are hanging there yourself. Derive some benefit from the very shame; purchase salvation with your death. Enter paradise with Jesus, and discover how far you have fallen. Contemplate the glories there, and leave the other scoffing thief to die outside in his blasphemy.

If you are a Joseph of Arimathea, go to the one who ordered his crucifixion, and ask for Christ’s body. Make you own the expiation for the sins of the whole world. If you are a Nicodemus, like the man who worshiped God by night, bring spices and prepare Christ’s body for burial. If you are one of the Marys, or Salome, or Joanna, weep in the early morning. Be the first to see the stone rolled back, and even the angels perhaps, and Jesus himself.

~Saint Gregory Nazianzen (Oratio 45, 23-24: PG 36, 654-655)
   Early Church Father & Doctor of the Church

I cannot sleep. My heart is grieved and my mind runs a mile a minute. Some of you know what I am talking about. Some of you will wonder what the problem is and think I’m being ridiculous. I’m referring to the recent turn of events regarding healthcare in this country.

I am not against healthcare reform; quite the contrary. There are serious problems in our current system. There are too many who do not have access to affordable healthcare. Those that do annually cringe waiting to see if they will be able to afford it for the next year after receiving new premium quotes. That’s not just. We needed an overhaul. And people can quibble about the economic policies that might influence what is deemed to be the best course of action to provide healthcare for all. This is not what grieves me.

What grieves me is that the very legislation that should protect and advance life will, in all likelihood, be used to destroy it. Abortion. I’ve heard some accuse pro-lifers of being “one-issue” minded. In other words, narrow-minded. After all, there are so many other issues out there, if you can’t have the best result on them all, well, compromise to have a good result overall. But I fail to see how compromising on the issue of abortion at any time, in any arena is suitable or contributes to a “good” result. It is killing, taking a life. And how can we seriously advance quality of life if we are not willing to recognize and protect the right to life?  Without an acknowledgement of the right to life for everyone, we are on a slippery slope to permitting euthanasia and assisted suicide. This is no conspiracy theory – it’s happening.

I am grieved for the women and families who suffer after killing their children. With the passage of this bill, access to “reproductive healthcare” and “family planning” (those terms, as used by Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups largely include access to abortion) will increase. Some scoff and say that Congress and the President tells us “it just ain’t so.” But a review of the press release at Planned Parenthood’s website entitled “Victory” seems to indicate otherwise.

I am angry about the lies that women are told and believe about who they are, what their purpose should be; abortion contributes to the lie and devalues women, stripping them of their God-given dignity as life-bearers. All women are called to motherhood – many through biological motherhood; others, though they do not have biological children are spiritual mothers. Motherhood is not a burden or degradation, but a wonderful and beautiful gift. Women are called to cultivate and nurture life, and too many of us are ashamed of that, deny it, or wish to construct reality differently. Now, don’t misunderstand me – I am a feminist in that I believe in advancing true equality for women, in protecting the dignity and beauty of womanhood.  Women have gifts and power to bring and cultivate life in families, the Church, and the public square in a way no man could.   And there are many challenges and issues facing women that contribute to them seeing abortion as the only “feasible option.”  Providing greater access to abortions will not solve those issues and, in fact, exacerbates them. Measures that support or allow abortion kill more than the child – they strip and objectify women in a way that is dark, sinister, and most effective. And we buy the lie.

I am grieved and angry at the division in this country and in the Church, at the posturing, the sly maneuvering, and the defiance to what we know to be good, moral and true. Ends do not justify means. The whole matter has left me almost tempted to throw up my hands in despair. Almost.

I am reassured that while there is trouble in the world, there is One who has conquered it. I remember His instruction – there is work to be done, so pray that your Father will send workers. So I mourn…and pray. I pray for the unborn. I pray for their mothers, and their fathers. I pray for our nation’s leaders. I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for those in authority in the Church. I pray for conversion of hearts and for healing. I pray that the Lord grant us wisdom and the courage to speak the truth with charity. I pray we have the fortitude to keep striving, to keep fighting for those who have no voice or who go unheard. And I continue to pray that, someday, we will have authentic healthcare that protects and cultivates the rights and dignity of all people.

I am a tech junkie.  Along with my first cup of coffee in the morning, I check my e-mail and Facebook account on my iPhone.  I receive my news via the internet and RSS feeds and with the proliferation of Wi-Fi networks, there is hardly any place I can go and not have a connection to the virtual world.  Even the campgrounds in Alaska have caught on to the situation of our times and offer wireless network connections to their campers.  So how hard was it going to be to suddenly unplug from this matrix of technology and data – no phone, no internet, no e-mail, no Facebook, no television – for a month while living inside the cloister of a Dominican monastery?

Last May, I had asked to take the next step in discerning a vocation as a Dominican nun and interviewed with the Council for my aspirancy at Corpus Christi Monastery in Menlo Park, CA.  And on January 28^th, I stepped across the cloister threshold for the first time.  The aspirancy at Corpus Christi is four weeks long and is a time for the aspirant to see and experience firsthand cloistered life within the monastery.  As one of the sisters explained, often women come thinking they know what the life was about – most are surprised to learn reality often differs from their preconceptions.  Some enter for aspirancy and see nothing but the walls – they sit at windows, counting cars and learn they are not called to the life, and that’s important to know before selling homes, cars, and quitting careers.  Others enter and look up, beyond the walls; within the confines of the cloister, perspective shifts, you notice beauty where before you might have rushed past, like watching the silent progress of trees and flowers in bloom.  And like the birds that are free to fly in and out above the cloister walls, you soar to the heavens in prayer and contemplation.

So now that I’ve finished my aspirancy, what’s next?  I’ve returned to my home, my car, my computer, and my phone.  I have application papers that must be completed and returned to the community for them to consider by entrance as a postulant.  And I still have practical hurdles (read, educational debt) that must be overcome before I can cross that threshold a second time.  In the meantime, God has opened tremendous opportunities that have potential to bless and challenge and many memories and lessons I was given during the first part of this year to consider and reflect upon. 

While there were times I missed my life in the world wide web, I found that by severing those connections, I was able to tap more deeply into another one that was more profound, supernatural.  Now that I’ve returned, I’m gradually reconnecting – I missed seeing the ins and outs of the lives of my family and friends, and I missed being able to share with others as things happened.  But as I move forward, the insight and wisdom I gained will continue to remind me where true life and connection really lies.

Tonight family and friends will gather in homes, reception halls, and the streets of the world’s major cities to ring in the New Year.  As the ball in Time Square drops, millions will start to sing “Auld Lang Syne”, a well-known Scottish song reflecting on times gone by and the importance of companionship.  And tomorrow, millions will start on their New Year’s resolutions.

Have you ever stopped to wonder, why the celebration?  What makes New Year, well, the start of a New Year, and why is that important to us?  We could research the history of how we mark time, how New Year traditions came to be, but I propose it comes down to this: New Year allows us to celebrate the gift of time, to recognize our life on this earth is precious, and we gather together to remember what is truly important.  Deep down, we know we are a people who fall short of what we were created to be, living in a fallen world, and so we see New Year as providing a “clean slate” in time, allowing us a “fresh start”, and we make resolutions that this year will be better than the last.

But as time continues and the New Year loses some of its luster, we fail at our resolutions, we can lose sight of the meaning of true friendship, and, as we seek to exist in our society, we forget to live.  The psalmist tells us that our lives are like the grasses that spring up, then wither and fade.  So, this New Year, I have but one resolution – that I would not forget each moment is a gift, each person a reflection of God and to live in gratitude.  I pray God would grant me the grace to do this, and to get up and start again when I fail.  I hope you all have a blessed and safe New Year!

I love being an aunt.  I have five nieces and nephews, ranging in age between five years and three months.  Each time I am with them, I learn something new, whether it’s a test of my knowledge and wits (you get to try and explain all sorts of issues, such as how bears know when winter is over so they can wake up), or a deeper understanding of eternal things revealed by their innocence, humble need for care and assistance, and spontaneous hugs and kisses.  To be sure, like all children, my nieces and nephews are capable of temper tantrums and naughtiness, but they also have an amazing capacity for sacrificial giving, expression of simple truth, and love.  

Today, on the fourth day of Christmas, our joy is mingled with sadness as we remember the Holy Innocents that were massacred by King Herod.  When Herod heard of Jesus’ birth, he viewed Him as a threat and asked the Wise Men to reveal Jesus’ whereabouts so he could “worship” too.  Warned by an angel, the Wise Men did not return to King Herod, but went home a different way.  Realizing what had happen, King Herod was filled with rage and ordered all boys in Bethlehem under the age of two be put to death.  We are told in the Gospel of Matthew that this fulfilled the prophesy by the prophet Jeremiah, “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation: Rachel weeping for her children, she refused to be consoled because they were no more.” (Matthew 2:18). 

In this event, we are reminded that not everyone welcomed Jesus at His birth.  Jesus was seen as a threat to power, to individual will and desires.  To save His Kingdom, Herod sought to kill the Infant Jesus and innocent babies died in His stead.  In the battle between good and evil, evil seeks to destroy that which is good and too often our children pay the price.  How many of our little ones suffer at the hand of adults as a result of their own fear and selfishness, whether through direct action or, too often, inaction?

Yet we are also reminded of the ultimate triumph of Christ.  Try as he might, Herod was not successful in his attempts to kill Jesus.  St. Augustine called these “infant martyr flowers”, “the Church’s first blossoms, matured by the frost of persecution during the cold winter of unbelief.”  They bore witness to Christ, not with words, but by laying down their lives, though they did not know it. 

Today is a good day to remember the innocents of this age.  Jesus instructs us to bring the little children to Him, that to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.  I cannot help but to think of the three youngest of my nieces and nephews: all three are boys two or younger – had time or circumstances been different, they would have been included in King Herod’s bloody killings.  Yet the young in our world are still at great risk.  They are being slaughtered through abortion and suffer abuse, hunger, and other forms of violence.  Mindful of these issues, let us remember our unborn and our children in prayer and acts of charity: let’s pray over the children in our lives, and teach them well, modeling Christ to them; let’s get involved in the local prolife movement and be advocates in the public square for those who are helpless to speak and act in their defense; volunteer to help pregnant mothers; encourage adoptions.  May we demonstrate the faith we speak by taking action to protect our young.

You know those dreams that are so vivid, it takes you some time after you wake up to realize the events you dreamed didn’t really happen?  I had one of those last night.  In my dream, I was sitting with people in my life with whom I’d had a “falling out” and, for one reason or another, there now exists a large rift between me and them.  I dreamed we finally had peace.  Not a “cease fire” that enables two parties to tenuously co-exist.  No, this was true peace that comes with reconciliation. 

This time of year, we hear often of dreams of peace.  But too often we want it on our terms – we are unwilling to yield to the wants and needs of others.  After all, we know best.  And even if we are willing to acknowledge we may be at least partially at fault for the lack of peace, or perhaps we have truly been wronged by someone, we still demand restitution for our injuries, whether real or perceived.

So what is right?  What are we to do?  How are we to respond?  The answer was given to us, over two thousand years ago.  Long ago, man made a choice that set up a rift between us and God.  But God dreamed of peace…for us, with us.  Madly in love with His creation, He desired reconciliation.  He was the one who was wronged, but in the Incarnation of His Son, we see justice and mercy are not opposed, but come together as a kiss.  In humility and love, He stooped Himself to be born helpless, son of a Virgin.  He made of Himself a gift to us, love, pure and innocent, so that we might be reconciled to Him.

I am continually reminded that in practicing love toward my neighbors in all things, I am loving God.  Love as Jesus modeled for us: humble, forgiving, strong and enduring, always seeking what is right, what is good.  To offer myself to Jesus means I must also humble myself and open myself to love and serve His people, just as He did.  And I will suffer hurts and rejection, just as He did.  But I still must love them, just as He did.  And in return, He promises I will have peace, just as He does.

This Christmas season, may we model the Infant Jesus lying in the arms of the Virgin Mary and may all men and women of good will be granted peace in Christ and be reconciled to God and one another.  Merry Christmas!

The date is set and I’m counting down! At the end of January (January 28th, the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, to be exact), I will be entering the monastery for a month-long aspirancy period, after which time I will return home for continued discernment regarding whether God is calling me to be a Dominican nun.

In the meantime, I get to enjoy time with my family through the holidays and into January. What a blessed time of transition!

Can you feel it?  In the air?  It’s almost palpable.  Shoppers are beginning to have a bit of anxiety regarding the remaining items on their lists.  Kids are becoming more excited as school winds down and mystery fills the house.  Bakers and cooks are circling supplies for the last push of holiday baking and preparation for the big day.  Christmas is right around the corner. 

The Church marks this time of final preparation as well.  Tonight, at Vespers (evening prayer), we begin the “O Antiphons”.  They bring a special solemnity and provide beautiful meditation as we near Our Lord’s birthday.  The first “O Antiphon” is:

O WISDOM, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: Come, and teach us the way of prudence.

THE WAY OF PRUDENCE

Prudence.  Such an old-fashioned word and sounding too close to the word “prude”, which is often used today as a term of reproach.  So, what exactly is “prudence”?

Often called the “mother and measure of all other virtues”, prudence is “the perfected ability to make right decisions.”  The Old Testament repeatedly discusses the importance of seeking wisdom; Proverbs and Sirach are focused exclusively on living a rightly ordered life – a prudent life.  In other words, prudence is not something that is out of fashion or is just for a few people.  It calls to everyone. 

THE PRUDENT PERSON

There once was a great king who was given a case to decide.  Two women came before him, both claiming to be the mother of a particular child.  The king thought for a moment, then issued this decree: since they both wanted the child, his swordsman should split the baby in two so each woman could have one half.  One woman said nothing.  The other quickly renounced her claim to the child, pleaded for the king to spare the baby’s life and give it to the other woman.  The king looked at the begging woman and granted her request of the baby’s life, but gave the baby to her.  The wise king knew only the true mother would willingly sacrifice being mother to the infant if that meant the child’s life would be spared.

A prudent person is a good person with practical wisdom.  A prudent person learns from past decisions, has a certain docility and openness to learn from others, is intuitive, reasonable, evaluates the existing circumstances, and exercises proper caution in taking action.  A prudent person’s life is rightly ordered – growing in holiness, charity, and faith, they have a clear sightedness that comes with purity of heart: as they contemplate the face of God, the light of this contemplation enhances their ability to determine right action.  Deeper friendship with God brings greater prudence.  Cultivating the virtue of prudence opens up the path to deeper friendship with God. 

The story of King Solomon above is an example of prudence at work.  Knowing what was right – preserving life and returning the child to his rightful mother – having an intuitive understanding of human nature and motherhood, observing the circumstances of the particular case, and being open to learn from God and the way things are, instead of trying to fashion them to how he’d want them to be, King Solomon was able to decide and act prudently, achieving the right result. 

STOP, LOOK, LISTEN, ACT!

Talking about prudence is great.  Understanding the concept of prudence is wonderful.  But even the most highly educated philosophers and theologians can rattle off the definitions and principles of prudence and not be prudent people.  Conversely, good intentions are not enough when making decisions.  Love and wisdom must go together in action.

We all know imprudent people: the teenager who impetuously skips class to party with friends; the brilliant professional who is accomplished in his field, but becomes petulant and angry if things don’t go his way; the socially inept individual who means well, but thoughtlessly says the wrong thing at the wrong time; the procrastinator who just can’t get around to doing what he or she knows she ought; or the person who simply neglects to carry out doing a good action.  In fact, if we’re honest, we can probably identify ourselves in one of these examples, or think of others that show a need to grow in prudence.  So how do we grow in prudence?

It seems whenever wisdom, or prudence, is mentioned in Scripture, there is a simple instruction: seek it.  “Those who love me I also love, and those who seek me find me.”  Proverbs 8:17.  “Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.”  Wisdom 6:12.  “Wisdom instructs her children and admonishes those who seek her.  He who loves her loves life; those who seek her out win her favor.”  Sirach 4:11, 12.

This implies a couple things.  First, we have to decide we want to be prudent people.  How much?  As Sirach tells us, if we are to be children of wisdom, we will be admonished – any growth and maturation requires a bit of pruning.  Second, if we are seeking something, logically we don’t possess it yet.  After all, why would you look for something you already have? 

This means laziness, inordinate self-love, and pride have got to go.  Instead, prudence requires humility so we can learn from our past decisions and be recipients of the wisdom of others.  When faced with an action, we need to avoid impulsiveness and consider past experiences.  There is truth in the saying, “those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” 

On the other side of the coin, it is important we don’t become so paralyzed in fear of making a wrong decision or action that we fall into the trap of indecisiveness or failure to act.  Stalling, procrastination, and negligence are just as imprudent as acting rashly or while ignoring good counsel.  Act!  God is merciful and if the decision goes poorly, take it to the Father, learn from your mistakes and continue forward.  After all, practice of virtue makes perfect!