--Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.
Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-- as in fact there are many gods and many lords-- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.--
1 Corinthians 8:1-13*
I love this passage.
And I love history, as seen in Scripture.
Why?
I love the latter, mostly for it's unique ability to showcase the amazing continuity of the human experience; continuity that brings me great comfort.
The former?
Because it is a lovely, loving, long-winded way to say, 'It is your responsibility to set a good example in the Lord, and to be mindful of the building up of your brothers and sisters in the Way'
Especially when you know better than they...
--Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.--
So...
While I am not planning on going off meat anytime soon, (I tend to eat very little anyway), I have taken a look at my habits and have decided to begin the deliberate process of eliminating some of the worse ones.
Thus, a cessation of cigarette smoking, (tho' I plan to smoke moderately from a good old fashioned tobacco pipe... a 'Juno' movie fetish my wife got started, anyway...) and a slow weaning off of 'you know what', which will be accompanied by a small increase in my head-meds (Hurray...Not!). Also, I plan on trying to cultivate the 'cheap date' alcohol tolerance level, thus/so as to only ever drink two drinks when drinking and to try mostly not drinking at all...
I know, I know, it sounds like a lot, but it's not, not really...
It's a taking off, as opposed to a taking on. And I'm pretty sure I'll feel lighter for having done it...
plus...
I'm tired.
Really, really tired.
And it just suddenly seems easier to simplify everything, up to and including the things I do/put into myself. To have as little to monitor as possible.
To turn as much of my energy/focus towards things that are simple...
Things that are clean.
It is here that Paul's admonishment and reminder feels closest to me.
We must remember that not all are at the same place along the Way. Some of the Body are further along in wisdom and maturity, some are closer to the beginning. Corporeal age has nothing to do with the maturity of one's Faith in Christ, nor does length of time spent in community (ie: how long one has been going to 'church', how long one has been Baptized etc.). Intention, discernment, prayer, willingness and humility seem to go further towards opening one's heart; surely the point of the journey, as only an open heart is truly capable of compassion and love.
As we are one Body, those who have traveled further in maturity (with Christ's help) have a responsibility to help make the journey of all others as un-troubled as possible. If by our conscious example and choices we can ease the path of any walking the Way, then we are obligated to do so.
If we're not doing this, we need to tend a little closer to our own footsteps along the Way...
and pray much more ceaselessly for God's Grace and Help.
Which we all should be doing anyway...
and we know it.
-peace
*RCL Lectionary reading for the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany, Feb 1, 2009.
