Paul talks about scandal; take care not to cause others
to sin
1 Cor 8:1-7, 11-13 / Luke 6:27-38
The Corinthians had asked Paul if it was okay to eat the
flesh of animals that had been sacrificed to idols. This was a practical
question because only a portion of the sacrificed animal was offered to the
idol. The remaining flesh was sold in meat markets.
It was difficult to determine what meat in a market was from
a sacrificed animal and what meat was not. Paul answers that they can eat
this meat. On the other hand, if eating the meat causes them to scandalize
someone whose conscience, for some reason, won't permit him or her to eat
it, they shouldn't eat it. Paul's point is that we should
always beware of leading others into sin, even by actions that aren't sinful in
themselves.
How sensitive are we to the consciences of other
people? "Every believer in the world must become a spark of
light." John XXIII, Pacem in Terris
****
In ancient times in the Greek world much of the meat of the
sacrifices was then sold for the food of the people. By eating this meat, did
Christians share in idolatry? They do not honor false gods, since these do not
exist, says Paul. But as some Christians are scrupulous, it is better not to
offend them and therefore to abstain from meat coming from sacrifices to false
gods and to abstain from something they could legitimately do. That is love,
and love should rule the community. Love does not rest on sympathies alone.
****
Jesus says: "Love your enemies!" (is that
possible? Can we have an affection for one who hates us just as we love
our dear and near ones? To make enemies our friends is a contradiction in
terms. The very words are the opposite of each other. What did Jesus really
say? For this, We must go back to the sources. Greek has three words for
love: 1. Eran: is passionate love, that desires the others for
itself. Eros and erotic are the noun and adjective from this verb. 2. Philein:
is solicitous love. The love friends have for each other. 3. Agapan: to
show goodwill. The love that makes no distinction. The love that serves,
it is not self-seeking. It is the third word that Jesus used. It has nothing to
do with emotion or friendship. This love is ready to suffer, turn the
other cheek. It gives and lends, is ready to surrender even the cloak, not only
the tunic. It prays and blesses. It takes he enemy into the presence of
God. It wants to imitate God, who is love. It wants to end strife and
establish peace; to create an atmosphere all around, where it is possible
to love the other.
A gospel-love, a love of faith, has no boundaries. One who
loves gives more than asked and loves the “unlovable,” including enemies. It
does not judge nor condemn, is always ready to be compassionate and forgiving.
When we look at all these implications, we have to confess with shame that we
are far from this ideal proposed us by our Lord. How far are we in this world
the sign of God’s own love?
****
It is said that a trapped snake can get so angry and
confused that it will bite anything, including itself. We may find this
puzzling or amazing, but that is a good image of what happens to us when we let
anger and resentment control us. We get trapped by our own anger and resentment
and we end up biting and hurting ourselves. When we get angry, we think we are
getting even with our enemy. The truth is that we are harming ourselves more
than we are harming our enemy. (If our enemies were to know this, they would be
satisfied just to keep irritating us, because we will do the rest of the
damage.) So, when Jesus said: "Love our enemies, do good to those who hate
you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly", we
are actually doing good to ourselves. Because by following what Jesus teaches
us, we free ourselves from anger and resentment, and we become open to the love
and compassion of God. It is a loving compassion that is given in full measure,
pressed down, shaken together, and running over, that will turn our so-called
enemies into our friends.
***
Let us pray: God our Father, from whom all good things come and for whom we live, fill us with your own gratuitous love, the one you have shown us in Jesus Christ. Teach us to love and bless even those who curse or maltreat us. Indeed, deepen and widen our limited love, make it without measure, like yours, that we may be called sons and daughters of you, the Most High, our Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord. God bless.
