St Paul had to deal with the problem of eating meat sacrificed to idols. According to him, it was not wrong for a Christian to eat such meat. Yet some people believed it was wrong. Therefore, lest such people be upset St Paul said it was better for those who see no wrong in eating the meat to refrain from doing so. He urged that charity must be the supreme norm. He made it clear what he himself would do - "If food causes my brother to sin I will never eat meat again."

Jesus in the Gospel speaks of God's love and compassion. We are called to love as God loves and to be moved by compassion. It is Jesus' thanksgiving indictment of narcissim and an extreme reminder to take others into consideration as we live out our lives. We should give up things we have a perfect right to, so that others may not be offended. Yes, we must consider the effects of our conduct on others - we should be aware of their sensibilities. It is by the way we live, we create the kind of society around us. As Christians we must somehow find a way to follow St Paul's principle and Jesus' command to love. In the end love will conquer all problems.