Avoid giving offense

That is a key message of today’s second reading (1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1).

Avoid giving offense.

That is a message being viciously ignored in the world today.

From the pages of a Danish newspaper to the cover of an American music magazine and coming soon to a theater near you, some people in the world these days seem to revel in trashing or lampooning that which is most sacred to others.

This is not just being done by godless secularists. There are pious churchgoers who seem to delight in flinging wit and venom at those with whom they disagree within the Church - not to mention against people of faith outside the Church.

St. Paul makes it very clear that this is not the way we should be.

To be sure, we must be faithful to the truth and speak with integrity at all times, but we must keep our focus on our mission: not to score points, but to save souls (most especially our own).

Avoid giving offense,
whether to the Jews
or Greeks
or the church of God,
just as I try to please everyone in every way,
not seeking my own benefit
but that of the many,
that they may be saved.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.