JANUARY MODULE

Practicing Prudence in Discernment

Objective: LEAD Fellows will be able to turn their discernment reflections into specific, actionable goals as they look ahead to the New Year.

LEAD Fellows will consider the theme of an “Immigrant Spirit” and the potential intersection with the papal Epiphany lessons as a way of illuminating their individual journey towards their goals.

Prayer:

When the song of the angels is stilled,

when the star in the sky is gone,

when the kings and princes are home,

when the shepherds are back with their flocks,

the work of Christmas begins:

to find the lost,

to heal the broken,

to feed the hungry,

to release the prisoner,

to rebuild the nations,

to bring peace among the people,

to make music in the heart.

-Howard Thurman, an African-American theologian, educator, and civil rights leader, is the author of this Litany entitled “The Work of Christmas.”

Introduction:

The transition from the Advent season to Christmas to the New Year can feel like a sudden and demanding switch. We recognize that the start of a new calendar year, for some, creates a certain pressure to rebuild and reimagine their lives. The demand of the timing and season can leave the good and necessary lessons of Advent and the Christmas miracle in the past. As you may recall from last month’s Advent reflection, we’re all called to pay attention to God's presence across seasons and humbly bring forth God’s presence to the communities we inhabit– much like Mary so perfectly modeled.

This month, we build upon our study of the Cardinal virtues by connecting this aforementioned Advent lesson from our Mother Mary and uniting it to what is often referred to as “the mother of all virtues” – prudence. For many of us, when we think of someone being “prudent,” the image that comes to mind is that of someone exercising restraint or making a conscious decision to refrain from doing something. But the choice to restrain from action is only part of the equation. Perhaps, and even more importantly, prudence is the virtue that disposes us to choose the action that is appropriate and necessary, employing practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it (CCC, 1806).

We call upon prudence now as we turn a corner in the LEAD journey and reflect more concretely on what authentic discernment might mean for you. The process of discernment has a rich history in the Catholic tradition, and it is a process that many of you may find familiar. Bordas’ words on the “immigrant spirit” can serve as a catalyst here as we learn about the ways that this spirit is “endowed with a belief of endless possibilities and people’s ingenuity."

To be clear, however, discernment doesn’t always need to come before a momentous transition in your career or a radical change in your life. The process itself can and should be nurtured as a habitual practice. Engaging in such a process helps us all better name, know, and move forward with prudence as we manage the most important components of our lives across changing seasons and vocational calls.

We cannot neglect the necessary presence of prayer in discernment. It’s important to remember that this doesn’t have to be a solitary experience, and we encourage you to reach out to trusted spiritual directors, mentors, religious women/men, and mentors who you trust for spiritual advice. The key is to be intentional and avoid the temptation to bypass the process just because you are professionally satisfied at the moment.

Please know that we gather around you as a LEAD community and pray in solidarity for growth and learning in this process. We’re here in whatever ways we can be helpful to you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out. Know we’ll be “making music in our hearts” alongside you this New Year!

Reflection Questions:

We have provided three relevant scripture passages with corresponding questions to guide you. If you don't already, we encourage you to consider keeping a journal as you work through this discernment process and prayerfully consider your next steps:

1. “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.”

(2 Timothy 1:7)

• Leadership requires strength of character and a spirit of love. Many times it requires restraint. How do you think this scripture might impact your thinking about leadership?

2. “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

• Sometimes leadership compels us to acknowledge our strengths. People need to have confidence in their leader, and if a leader has not previously demonstrated their skills, it can be more difficult for people to follow them. What is an example of a time when you let your leadership light shine?

3. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)

• Effective leadership needs a solid foundation. What do you want to incorporate into the foundation of your leadership? How will you make sure you are a strong leader?

4. As you begin this new year, what goals are you discerning and establishing for yourself? Where do you envision your leadership journey taking you this year?

5. My Work of Christmas:

As a brief reflection and extension activity, we invite you to create your own "The Work of Christmas" litany and allow the simple artifact from Advent to guide your vision into the Epiphany season. In particular, please consider the themes, people, places, activities that are most relevant to your own identities as a Latina/o educator and your current discernment journey. You may make each line’s response as short or long as you’d like, but keep in mind that your mentor may ask you all to share in your next small group meeting.

The Work of Christmas begins:

to find __________________,

to heal___________________,

to feed__________,

to release________,

to rebuild_________,

to bring peace among_________,

to make______________________.

Readings

Graphic Organizer:

Be welcome to use this slide deck as a place to organize your thoughts. When you click this link, it will ask if you want to make a copy. Simply respond "make a copy" to access your own version.