We are all called to live lives of holiness, yet doing so without prudence can cause us to act impulsively or with misguided intentions. Prudence is often referred to as the “charioteer of the virtues”, and what a title that is! Prudence allows us to see the world through the lens of faith, making decisions that align with God’s will rather than being swayed by emotions, peer pressure, or worldly desires. Essentially, Prudence is our compass, when we cultivate it, we are pointed in the right direction, the only true direction. It strengthens our ability to recognize God’s presence in every situation and respond in a way that leads us closer to Him.

Jesus Himself exemplified prudence in His ministry, always acting with wisdom. He did not rush into decisions, but rather sought the will of the Father in all things. In the Gospels, we see Him balancing justice with mercy, boldness with patience, and truth with love, all tasks much easier said than done. Time and time again, Jesus continues to be the perfect example. We can think back to Matthew 22:15-22 when the Pharisees tried to trap Him with questions, such as whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar and instead of reacting hastily, Jesus responded with wisdom, recognizing their intentions and giving an answer that upheld both civic responsibility and divine authority. His prudence teaches us that we must seek God’s guidance before acting, ensuring that our choices reflect both truth and love.

As the age old saying goes, practice makes perfect. To grow in prudence, we must develop a habit of prayerful reflection, engross ourselves in scripture and the teachings of the Church, and find people in our lives who we can look to for guidance. An easy way to work on prudence throughout our day is when faced with decisions, we can ask ourselves: “Is this choice in line with God’s will? Will it lead me closer to Him?” By practicing prudence, we not only strengthen our own moral character but also become a source of guidance and clarity for others. In a world filled with confusion and individualism, a prudent heart is a beacon of light, leading others toward Christ and His eternal truth.