Scruples
7th Sun. after Pent. July 31, 2022; Matt. 9:27-35, Ep: Rom. 15:1-7,
In today’s Epistle St. Paul tells us that we who are strong are to bear with the scruples of the weak and not please ourselves. This is a very instructive bit of advice in today’s North American culture. What are these “scruples” we are to bear? We don’t use the word very much anymore, so we should perhaps start with a definition. The dictionary definition is “An ethical consideration that inhibits action.” So, having scruples comes from listening to our conscience and considering how our words and actions will affect the other person that God has brought before us. St. Paul is telling us not to wound the conscience of our “weaker” brothers and sisters.
There are many morals that we used to share with others in our culture, and in most every human culture. It used to be that the “10 commandments” were considered fairly universally held “values” in North American society. Thou shall not: kill, steal (or even covet), lie (bear false witness), commit adultery (or other sexual perversions), selfishly use another human being… These seemed to go without saying and still have some fading acceptance even today We now live in a pluralistic society where everyone’s truth is equally valid, so today, those values which previously even non-Christian cultures would consider important are under attack. You shall not murder (unless it is a government approved killing such as a helpless developing infant through abortion or if someone suffering wants you to kill them.) Coveting your neighbor’s possessions, lifestyle, etc. is what drives our entire materialistic advertising culture. Committing adultery is a popular and often an admired lifestyle. Honouring your parents is only recommended if they are worthy… In our post-Christian culture the ones pertaining to God; You shall have no other gods before Me, Don’t worship idols, Don’t take the name of the Lord your God in vain, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy are gone. I’m not pointing this out just to rant about how far we have devolved in such a short time – really just a couple generations. No that would be a much longer homily. I’m pointing it out to illustrate just how many varying values we will encounter in our relationships with each other. These are moral values, but not really “scruples.”
Differing “scruples” are found even amongst those who stay closely connected within a group which holds the same values. It was surprising to see how many various opinions – backed by strong “scruples” – were expressed, even in such a unified group of brothers and sisters as exists within the Orthodox Church, when it came to the moral imperatives of wearing a mask, getting a vaccination, sharing communion, or sharing a hug over the last 1 ½ “Covid” years. These days we might call scruples OCD, where someone needs to perform a particular action, or especially a religious rite with great precision. What St. Paul is saying here is “not to judge” this. Just because we might believe that these external actions are not critical to faith and salvation, another may feel great anxiety and even condemnation if they don’t live up to their internal principles. We that have no such compulsion, are to just love them, and accept them where they are.
St. Paul is not suggesting we go soft in following major moral teachings such as we find in the 10 commandments. In the chapter immediately preceding today’s reading he gives us a couple of examples of the type of “scruples” we are to bear with. He chooses fasting rules and ranking certain days as higher in importance than other days. Perhaps a devotion to the old calendar or wearing a headscarf might also be good examples. He tells us we are to (Rom. 14:1) “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” Let us not be judgemental of others who have differing opinions of the “small t” traditions.
Metropolitan Anthony tells a story of a wise educated monk and a simple uneducated shepherd who used to leave a bowl of his very best sheep’s milk for God as a love offering every evening, and was very pleased that God would come and consume his gift. The Monk thought it best to educate the poor shepherd and told him that God was far beyond anything we humans could comprehend and had no need for milk. He proved this by staying up with the shepherd that evening and watching the gift. About 3 am a little fox came by and happily drank the milk. The shepherd was heartbroken and felt very foolish. He now had no way to show God his love for Him. In prayer the next morning, God came to the wise monk and told him that He was very displeased that he had such little understanding or compassion. God said, yes it is true that I have no need for the milk, but my dear friend the fox is very fond of it, so every evening I send him to represent me in accepting this precious gift from the pure hearted shepherd, and you in your great wisdom have now broken his heart and rattled his most pure faith.
St. Paul tells us to, “Bear with the scruples of the weak, not pleasing ourselves, seeking God’s patience and comfort that we may be “like-minded” towards each other, and together with one mind and one mouth we may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” How are we doing with bearing with those who have anxiety or differing opinions? Are we willing to love those who have different opinions of current problems and events, or do we divide people into camps of “them and us?” If they don’t think like me how can I be their friend? But we are to be one in Christ, not one in Trump. Trudeau, or any worldly leader. The culture around us, while espousing to be becoming ever more “tolerant,” is becoming increasingly less willing to consider anyone’s viewpoint that doesn’t fit the latest viewpoints of this “tolerant” culture. This toleration extends only to those who buy into the latest radical changes in morality. Polarization – them vs us – type thinking is unfortunately becoming the norm.
Christ lived in a time far more politically charged than even our own politized era. The Pharisees were constantly trying to get Him to make a political statement. Remember the tax question? I challenge you to find a scripture in the Gospels that espouses a political point of view. Godly morality and even Godly “scruples” have no one political home. “My kingdom is not of this world, and you would have no power unless it was given you from above” was Christ’s answer to Pilate, the political leader in charge of the region. Millions of Martyrs have spoken of Christ and Christ alone with their very blood. They didn’t die for social change, but for Christ and His kingdom. St. Paul’s conclusion in today’s Epistle regarding the strong bearing the scruples of the weak and not pleasing ourselves, is that we who are strong and are certain of the grace of God, and we who are weak and fearful of transgressing our scruples, yet looking to Christ, should with one mind and heart glorify God, accepting and loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.
May we, like the blind men in today’s gospel, ask God to heal our blindness, to allow His precious light to illuminate the areas in our lives that keep His grace and tender love from reaching into our hardened hearts, and from flowing through us into the needy world around us. May we receive His love for all of our suffering brothers and sisters, those with many scruples as well as those who perhaps could use a few of their own to wrestle with. He has come into the world to save us – to Protect, Heal, Rescue, and Deliver us. For He loves us and all of mankind!
Glory to Jesus Christ!