All things to all men

THESE are words of St. Paul. The complete quote goes this

way: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a

slave to everyone, to win as many people possible. To the Jews I

became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became

like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as

to win those under the law.

          “To those not having the law I became like one not having

the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s

law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became

weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by

all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of

the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Cor 9,19-23)

          Tremendous words, indeed! They can scare us, considering

what would be involved to put these words into action. But we have to

take these words to heart. They vividly describe what should be our

attitude towards everyone if we are to be consistent with our

Christian identity.

          Yes, we have to be all things to all men, including those

who are very different from us, those whose views, positions,

lifestyles, ideologies, beliefs, etc. are incompatible with ours. This

is what is to be truly Christian. If we fail in this test, we cannot

really consider ourselves as authentically Christian.

          Christ said it very clearly to us already. It might be good

to remit here again the relevant words of Christ: “Love your enemies,

do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for

those who mistreat you.

          “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other

also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him.

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to

you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to

you.

          “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?

Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who

are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that…

          “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them

without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be

great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind

to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is

merciful.” (Lk 6,27-36)

          There you are! Christ tells us how we should deal with those

who are different or are in conflict with us. Christ did not only tell

us this principle, but lived it out himself. He allowed himself to be

crucified even if it was clear he was blameless. To top it all, he

offered forgiveness to those who crucified him and even found excuses

for them. “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they are

doing.” (Lk 23,34)

          It’s really time to make drastic changes in our attitudes

and ways of dealing with everyone, especially those who are different

from us or even opposed to us. To be sure, we need nothing less than

God’s grace for this, than our vital identification with Christ

himself to such an extent that we truly become “another Christ.”

          But everyday, we have to see to it that we are developing

the appropriate attitudes, skills and virtues. We have to be

broad-minded, patient, willing to suffer all kinds of pain from the

physical to the moral and spiritual. This is the only way we can echo

St. Paul’s words of becoming “all things to all men.”