Today’s readings: Ps 119:49-72; Josh 8:30-35; Rom 14:13-23; Matt 26:57-68
“Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another.” (Rom 14:13).
Yesterday we began to read Paul’s response to Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome regarding dietary laws. In simplest terms, he says: 1) Gentiles saved by faith are not bound by the laws, but Jews who abstain from meat and wine to honor the Lord can continue to abstain, and 2) neither group should judge the other. Today, we read his conclusion. He instructs the Gentiles not to cause the Jews to stumble, for if they believe they are committing a sin and dishonoring the Lord, they are doing just that. All parties should act in a spirit of love.
How far should we take this line of thought? Yesterday I mentioned my own congregation’s decision to use juice rather than wine at communion so the many people in our congregation who are in recovery might fully participate. When I mentioned this once in a discussion, someone responded it wasn’t our job to keep people away from their temptations. Though his tone didn’t lead me to believe he was interested in exploring this topic further, I thought he raised a point worth considering.
In light of today’s reading from Paul, was the congregation’s decision justified? (For Catholics the whole point may be moot, but I invite you at least to consider this as a philosophical exercise.) Is a table trying to accommodate everyone who follows Christ removing a stumbling block, or engaging in politically correct coddling? Is an insistence on actual wine a matter of faith or of culture? My own opinion is probably obvious, but your mileage may vary.
Many of Paul’s writings are answers to specific questions, but we can extrapolate them to other situations because he so eloquently describes his underlying principles. As his answer about food is about “peace and mutual upbuilding” (v. 19) more than diet, his other writings usually address more than the simple question. Because his answers are based on principles rather than situations, is it possible the specific applications of the principles may look different across cultures and times? Consider how we show love to the children in our lives: some require leeway, and some require strict guidance. Either method may be correct depending on the needs of the child. Let us be prayerful and thoughtful as we apply the principle of love in our own lives.
Comfort: No one can judge us but our merciful God.
Challenge: Find a flat rock. Write “stepping stone” on one side and “stumbling block” on the other. Meditate on it when you have to make tough decisions.
Prayer: God of all Creation, help me be a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.
Evening reading: Ps 49, 53
For some religions, there are stricer requirements for the ingredients of bread & wine due to the nature of the sacrament. However, many Christian religions consider them to be "symbolic." If this is the case for a particular congregation, then juice is an equally good symbol as wine and, as you said, more inclusive. I think Christians in recovery have enough temptations and would welcome the chance to enjoy services without the presence of wine.
ReplyDeleteHow strange that after a verse stating that we should not place a stumbling block in another's way, we have a discussion about coddling. Sad for christian people to even think that way.
ReplyDelete