“You know the commandments.” So began Jesus’ reply to the man kneeling before him. Do you? I once thought that all Christians did but long ago I learned otherwise when I taught a class on the Book of Exodus to some teens. Not a single one could name all Ten Commandments. I had to wonder by what values they were living their lives. If you don’t know the Ten Commandments, by what values are you living yours?
Daily we find ourselves making choices. Some of them are of little consequence, like the juice you will drink for breakfast. But others can be damaging, such as those we make that lead us to sin. Quite likely the question in today’s gospel on inheriting eternal life rarely comes to mind when we make our choices, otherwise more of us would be following the example of King Solomon and praying for prudence. Instead of ignoring them, we would then see the wisdom behind the commandments and what Jesus is urging us to do if indeed we want to inherit eternal life.
The dictionary defines prudence as being careful about one’s conduct. Prudence is necessary to avoid harm. When we act indiscreetly or imprudently, such as indulging our addictive behaviors by overspending, eating or drinking too much, compulsive gambling, gossiping, dishonesty, or being unchaste, we harm ourselves and others.
King Solomon equated prudence with the spirit of wisdom which he preferred over anything else, for that gave him the means to travel the right path in life. Unfortunately, many of us have made choices that have taken us down the wrong path at times, leaving us sad or disillusioned. Fortunately, as Jesus said, “All things are possible for God.” And that includes forgiving us for the wrong choices we have made in life as many women and some men have learned through the healing ministry of Project Rachel.