Virtue that offends
Abbot Pastor was out walking with a monk from Sceta when they were invited to a meal. The owner of the house, honoured by the monks’ presence, ordered that only the very best of everything should be served.
However, the monk was in the middle of a period of fasting, and when the food arrived, he took a single pea and chewed it very slowly. He ate only that one pea during the whole of supper.
As they were leaving, the Abbot said to him:
‘Brother, when you go to visit someone, do not make of your sanctity an insult. The next time you are fasting simply decline any invitations to supper.’
The monk understood what the Abbot meant. From then on, whenever he was with other people, he did as they did.
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It got me thinking on social behavior.
As the story shows, one's ideas and habits can pretty much offend surrounding people. I learned by experience how important it is to be careful about our actions when dealing with other people. However, it is not as easy as it seems to be.
Many people are oblivious to the others' feelings and behave as if whoever interacts with them should adapt himself to their comportment. On the other hand, I have also seen many people who care too much about the others around them and have lost their individuality. They basically never do what they want or what they like. They live unhappy lives trying to satisfy everyone around them, which is obviously impossible.
We must know how to balance our behavior to make sure we do not hurt the others at the same time that we keep our free will.
--
Greg
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