
Morning Evening
Romans 14:1-12
I was intrigued by the second verse in the reading from Romans: “Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables.” The church in Rome was arguing about whether it was right to eat food that had been offered to idols. But, there would seem to be a contemporary equivalent to this dispute; “Some people don’t wear masks and carry on as if there is no such thing as a pandemic, while others are afraid to leave their homes.” There is a wide divergence emerging amongst people about how best to resume “normal” life. Paul’s advice in such circumstances is still relevant. We are to be sensitive to each other and not be quick to pass judgement. And we are to refrain from doing that which offends. In vs 15 he goes on to say; “if someone is injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love.” There is the case for wearing masks. We walk in love when we do things which we might think are not essential, not for our own benefit, but the sake of the other.
Mark