But not in everyone is knowledge
and some,
because of their familiarity with idols even now,
eat as with idols,
and their conscience
being weak
is stained.
Now ‘Food will not bring us to God’s judgement’
For neither
if we do not eat,
are we worse off
nor if we eat
is there an advantage.
Then watch that the ‘right to choose’ of yours
does not somehow become a stumbling block
to the weak.
For if someone sees you
who have knowledge,
in an idol’s temple
sitting at table
will not their conscience
-being weak-
be strengthened to eat
meat associated with idols?
For, the weak one
is being destroyed
through your knowledge,
the brother /sister for whom
Christ died.
In this way, sinning against your brothers/sisters
and damaging their weak consciences
you sin against Christ.
For this reason
if food causes my brother /sister
to stumble
I will certainly never ever eat meats,
so that I may not cause my brother /sister to stumble.
O Love, O God who created me, in your love recreate me.
O Love, who redeemed me,
fill up in me whatever part of your love
has fallen into neglect within me.
O Love, O God, who first loved me,
grant that with my whole heart,
and with my whole soul,
and with my whole strength,
I may love you.
Gertrude the Great