Diligence and Prudence – Great Lenten Retreat Week Four
Welcome to our fourth week of our Great Lent retreat, with prudence and diligence as our virtues to grow in. This is the forth article in our Great Lent retreat series. So if you missed the earlier article on Humility and Justice, check it out here. Our second week’s article on Temperance and Living in the Moment here, and our third article on Fortitude may be read here.
Understanding the Virtues
Prudence
Prudence is the virtue of right reason, and is sometimes called wisdom. It is about being sensible, and having good judgement. We see prudence in the process of thinking, deciding, and acting on our choices. Sometimes the right choice is obvious. Other times, we need to think and pray about what we need to do. Sometimes we need to learn from the mistakes of others. And, unfortunately, sometimes we need to learn from our own mistakes. Another important thing to remember is that we should not rely on our feelings when making prudent decisions. The truth is constant, and our feelings are inconstant.
A lack of prudence would be impetuosity. That is, making abrupt and sudden decisions without care or consideration for consequences. Although linked to virtues we studied earlier, inconstancy and inaction are also vices contrary to prudence.
And an excess of prudence would be excessiveness. Spending too long trying to find every possible detail before making a decision. It is imprudent to wait to long, or to avoid making a decision after a careful analysis has been completed. There is a second vice considered in the excess of prudence (though it also involves some lack of prudence). Astuteness means using an improper means to achieve a good end. Sorry Machiavelli, the ends does not justify the means! So we need to work towards a good end. And we must find a good way to get there!
Diligence
Diligence supports the virtue of prudence. It involves carefulness, and persistent work and effort. An excess of diligence leads to obsessiveness or perfectionism. Don’t let perfection become the enemy of the good! Just as with the virtue of prudence, we need to know when our research is done. And when it is time to make a decision. Or when or work is done and it is time to move on to something else.
Meanwhile, a lack of diligence leads to carelessness and laziness. Even if we are not good at something, we can put forth a good effort and do our best at it. Let everything we do be done for the glory of God. Even if it is simply drawing a picture on a napkin for a toddler. When we act carelessly or without effort, we miss a chance to grow in virtue.
Prudence by the Saints
John Chrysostom
Check out this Homily by St. John Chrysostom about the Prudence of both Christ and the Woman at the Well.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus
Without shame and without doubt, eat the Flesh and drink the Blood of Christ, if you are desirous of true life.
St. Catherine of Siena
Ponder how God has made you a gardener to rout out vice and plant virtue
St. Josemaria Escriva
Don’t judge without having heard both sides. Even persons who think themselves virtuous very easily forget this elementary rule of prudence.
Practicing Diligence and Prudence
Receive the Eucharist, the source of our light and wisdom together with the Holy Spirit.
If you have any big decisions to make this week, work on making a prudent decision. Talk to God about it. Consult authoritative sources on the topic. Consider what the people in your life think about this decision and how it will effect them. Next, don’t get stuck in the research phase. Actually make a decision, and then act on it! Seek good counsel. Make a practical judgement. Then bring the judgement into action.
Read stories of the saints and blesseds. Learn from their choices and how they grew in holiness.
Ask questions. Do not be afraid of looking or sounding foolish.
Be diligent in your work this week. Keep focused, be careful, and move through your activities at a reasonable pace.
Last week we practiced taking risks. This week we are practicing not taking risks! Or, at least, unnecessary risks.
If you have an argument with someone this week, pause to find more information about the heated topic. See if learning more helps you gain a new perspective, or re-frames your original perspective. Or, if you witness someone else having an argument (like your children), offer them some wise advice.
Remember that even the little things you do are for the glory of God. Offer the effort you put into these small moments this week, through Jesus, to the glory of the Father.
The Byzantine Life
If you enjoyed this week’s article, you might want to check out our Lenten Articles. Great Lent covers fasting and abstinence, saying Alleluia, Presanctified Liturgy, and ways to actively participate in Great Lent with your family. W also have an article about Holy Week: A Guide to What Happens During Holy Week.
Great Lent Virtues Retreat Schedule
(links will only work after publishing day, the Thursday prior to that week of Great Lent)
28 February – Week One – Humility and Justice – https://thebyzantinelife.com/great-lent-humility-justice/
7 March – Week Two – Living in the Moment and Temperance – https://thebyzantinelife.com/great-lent-temperance/
14 March – Week Three – Fortitude: Patience + Perseverance – https://thebyzantinelife.com/great-lent-fortitude/
21 March – Week Four – Diligence + Prudence – https://thebyzantinelife.com/great-lent-diligence-prudence/
28 March Week Five – Faith – https://thebyzantinelife.com/great-lent-faith/
4 April – Week Six – Hope – https://thebyzantinelife.com/great-lent-hope/
11 April – Week Seven – Love and Charity – https://thebyzantinelife.com/great-lent-love/
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