Page 38 - LOTN Issue 45

FAITH AND CULTURE

Thinking Cakes and Wine
out loud

such philanthropic actions a salve to conscience? Only God
BY CANON ALISTAIR M DOYLE knows and it is not for subsequent generations to judge.

The past is a different country.
n Twelfth night, Shakespeare has two characters, Religion is not immune from intolerance. The Pharisees
Malvolio, a Puritan steward and Sir Toby Belch, a disapproved of Jesus "eating and drinking". Islamists want
bon viveur uncle of the main character, Olivia. On to enforce Sharia law although it is a later invention not
Ibeing reprimanded by Malvolio about his drinking, found in the Koran, and Christians of all kinds have and
Sir Toby replies "Do you think, because you are holy, do interpret the Gospels to suit their own view however
we shall have no more cakes and wine?" Unfortunately, narrow.
through the ages, people like Malvolio think the only Recently I have felt rather sorry for Pope Zosimus (417-
way to live is their way. Those of a certain age (e.g. me) 418). Not only did he have his ears boxed (metaphorically)
can remember Sundays in the Highlands of Scotland by St. Augustine for his approval of Pelagianism (He
when even children were restricted in their behaviour. changed his approval) but St Jerome reprimanded him
Religion was a serious business. To-day, Facebook and for promoting married priests to the episcopate. Jerome
Instagram are full of Malvolios in their intolerance. considered marriage second class to celibacy. These priests
Referring to the herd instinct of humans, a 13th century were not holy enough to be bishops. In fact, St. Jerome was
Dominican remarked, "People are like pigs; when one forthright in his criticism of many things. He rebuked some
grunts, they all grunt." French monks for their lack of asceticism as regards food.
The present wave of iconoclasm is a good example. A The monks replied that French flair for cooking was well
statue is toppled in Bristol and a PC Archbishop of Canterbury known. Obviously by living in a cave, Jerome had taken
suggests removing statues and plaques commemorating deprivation too far. They were simply being civilised. St.
famous people who might have condoned slavery, from Jerome’s commentaries on Scripture became authoritative
cathedrals and churches. One may enquire if this includes in the Church but modern scholars say he allowed his
St. Paul's. Are Anglican churches dedicated to the Saint to prejudices to influence his judgement. Certainly, he seems
have a name-change? St. Paul wrote to the slave owner to have forgotten John 21 in which we find Jesus having a
Philemon asking him not to punish Onesimus, a runaway barbecue on the beach with his disciples. Jesus Himself had
slave, as Paul returned him to his master. Paul accepted been criticised by the Pharisees for "eating and drinking”.
slavery as part of society, just as the Gospels have nothing In the Book of Proverbs we read how “the Wisdom of God
to say on the matter. delighted to be at play in the world."
Intolerance is often allied to warped knowledge of In this holy season of Advent, unlike Jerome, Knox, Calvin
history. Africans in the 18th century were enslaved and and others, if we are fasting let others have their cakes and
sold to white traders by Africans, in exchange for European wine. The paths of asceticism are varied and hidden. On his
goods. death, it was discovered that St Thomas More wore a hair
The human race evolves in its thinking which is why shirt under all his fine clothes. Holiness, cakes and wine (or
redemption is possible. The hymn “Amazing Grace” was ale) are not incompatible. On the 3rd Sunday of Advent,
written by a former slave-ship captain and many men such we are instructed "Gaudete in Domino semper, iterum dico
as Edward Colston tried to help the poor with their money. Gaudete" - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
It is hypocritical for Rhodes scholars to accept scholarships
funded by Rhodes if they think his money is tainted. Are

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