We’ve had several burglaries recently in our neighborhood. The neighborhood watch committee has urged residents to keep our doors locked even when we’re home and windows latched whenever we’re away. The committee’s messages have persuaded me that we all have an obligation to make this neighborhood a less tempting target. Perhaps potential thieves will try elsewhere or maybe even give up and go home.
Agatha Christie first introduced me to the idea that I shouldn’t be a source of temptation to others. In one mystery, a shopkeeper left the cash register unattended while a boy with a record of petty theft was in the store. Christie blamed the shopkeeper for the inevitable crime. Why did she provide the kid with such temptation?
Our culture is drenched with sexual temptation. I don’t advocate veils and shapeless robes. However, I think women should take responsibility for dressing modestly. Yes, we can be proud of our appearance, and, no, a short skirt is not an invitation to rape. I get angry, though, when some woman in a really skimpy outfit complains about men making inappropriate comments.
St. Paul wrote about not being a source of temptation. A hot issue in his day was where you bought your meat. Christians were surrounded by pagans who regularly sacrificed animals to their gods. Priests at the various temples kept some meat for themselves and sold the rest. Many Christians refused to buy this meat. For them, eating it was too much like participating in a pagan ritual. Other Christians argued that pagan gods weren’t real, so the meat was perfectly fine.
Paul gave his judgment in 1 Corinthians 8. We should not try to persuade believers to violate their conscience, even if we think they’re being overly scrupulous. Rather, we should sacrifice our freedom and also obey the unnecessary rule rather than be a source of temptation for weaker Christians. If they act against their beliefs because of our example, we have sinned.
Today’s Catholics seldom eat meat sacrificed to idols, but St. Paul’s principle remains relevant. For example, most Catholics receive communion in the hand. Others, however, feel that receiving on the tongue shows more reverence. Still others want to kneel to receive. In 1969, the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship noted that the key factor here “is the complete avoidance of any cause for the faithful to be shocked and any danger of irreverence toward the Eucharist.”
So how do we avoid being a temptation to others during Communion? First, it’s a liturgical procession, not a cafeteria line. The walking and pausing are themselves part of the prayer. We should leave enough room for whatever act of reverence the person in front wishes to offer. Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist should be familiar with placing the wafer on someone’s tongue. Those who kneel should remember that this is not the time for prolonged private devotion.
Paul’s advice also applies in our homes and work places. Suppose, for example, that we know that Grampa and Uncle John violently disagree on politics. So why bring up the last election? If someone ends up angry or hurt, aren’t we partially to blame? Consider another example. We wouldn’t encourage an alcoholic to have a drink, but we routinely urge overweight friends to “have some more.” Diets are difficult enough without providing more temptation.
Considering the feelings of others and avoiding conflict are applications of the law of love. If something really matters to our brothers and sisters because of religious conviction or just strong personal preference, why not defer to them, even if we think it’s dumb? It’s just possible that sometimes they patiently defer to us!
Kathleen welcomes comments. Send them to Kathleen Choi, 1706 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo 96720, or email: kathchoi@hawaii.rr.com.
