A Theological Reflection By Anthony W.
Antolic
12/01/07
Prudence:
The
Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church, defines “Prudence” as
fallowed:
... The virtue
that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every
circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; “ the
prudent man looks where he is going1”.(CCC,
18062)
However, freewill unchecked in
inherently evil. I have to admit that when ever I get in trouble with
my money, it is only because I had given in to some temptation that I
shouldn't have. I tend to use a payday loan place to help me get
through to the next pay day. But when has borrowing from Petter to
pay Paul ever been a sound business practice? Yet, I find that I am
not alone in this practice: for every year thousands of Americans
file for bankruptcy, because of excessive credit card debt.
So the time has come, at least for
me, to stop and think about why I need the newest cell phone, or what
ever the hottest new toy may be. I will try to establish
relationships rather then a house full of things I will never use.
For we have lost the true meaning of the Christmas season. How does
an abundance of gifts given to our friends and family say “I love
you” any more than just being there for our fellow man? The truth
is the materialism of the season tends to pull families apart rather
then bring them together.
My ant has been fighting with her
sons wife for years and the fight started over the fact that my
kin's wife did not like a Christmas gift. As a result Mother and son
don't talk as much as they would otherwise. Remember that “free
will unchecked is inherently evil,” and in a culture that has put
Santa Clause before Jesus we tend to put material goods before the
good of man. Furthermore, we do so freely, somehow thinking that we
would feel better about ourselves if we can not only keep up with the
Joneses, but out do them. This is the true state of our union. So
keep this in mind then next time you reach for your wallet and ask
your self if the money you are about to spend is going to truly
benefit God's people in the long run.
Remember when I told you that I
only get in trouble with money when I am trying to finance a sin.
Well I must confess to the world that I have an addiction to
Pornography. Sometimes I don't even know that I am crossing the line
until the money is already spent. I work through my days and well
into the night to try to keep my mind and soul off of this sickness.
I have found help in the word of God; however, I slipped up last
week. Be for I knew it I had spend most of my pay check of fruitless
exploits. Now for my penance I must walk to work for the next week,
not to mention back home. All the while I will be praying for God's
grace of Prudence and ask him to help me to never fail in this way
again. That money could have went to pay bills or feed some one on
the way home.
God Help me be honest with myself.
It is snowing out here, and I am going to be walking to Saint Joe's
to sit and pray. From here it is at least a 2 hour walk. It is sad
how far this former seminarian has fallen. So with a contrite heart,
I hope to find and walk the path that God has laid for me. As with
any addiction, I know I will have to fight the battle on a daily
basis, to stay on track. But I know Christ is with me on this
Journey.
1Prov
14:15
2(CCC)
= Pope John Paul II, Catechism Catholic Church 2nd
Edition, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, (c) 1994