Sorry no idea what you are talking about but the second part made me smile.
Hey I am happy eating and drinking with just about anyone (as long as they don't drink alcohol or eat pork).
Growing up in a predominantly Arab-American neighborhood (circa the 1960s), we "kids" grew up learning a great deal about eachother. But our moms did too.
My mother, being the hostess that she was taught to be, invited another mom over for lunch. She fussed, and tried to make certain everything was perfect. Everything was just right, from the tea cups to the coffee cups to the look of the sandwiches, to the decorum on the brunch table the two were going to eat and talk at.
It was my "catholic" mom's way of reaching out to a "muslim" mom, though the actual faiths were never mentioned.
So, the other mom arrived and brought Ceylon tea (which tickled my mom to giddyness, since she loves tea). And in turn my mom presented head scarves of various colors and hues (which appeared to please the other).
After a fashion they finally sat down to eat. During their meal and conversation, "Josephine" commented a few times on how "good" the sandwiches tasted. Obviously pleased, my mother and she continued their lunch well into the afternoon. They tried the tea and found much in common with eachother. Overall productive and bonding afternoon for the two block mothers.
About the time we kids were walking in from school, the two were finally parting company. I overheard Josephine ask my mother, "what kind of sandwich was that?"
"Ham, lettuce, tomato, cheese and Cool whip dressing."
Josephine never batted an eye, but instead said, "I've never had that before, it was delicious, thank you Maureen." They pressed hands (as was the custom), then she left to take care of kids and get supper ready.
My mom was beaming, and then I stood before her. "You gave her ham sandwiches?"
Mom was momentarily stunned that I would ask her such a question, until I continued, "She's Muslim, and you just gave her pork." You could have heard a pin drop. Mom looked like she was about to become ill.
"Oh my dear God, what have I done"...was all she could say for the next few minutes while she paced the house floors.
Dad came home later, and Mom was still reeling from the revelation, and of course she spilled it all out on him, while he watched her from a bemused perspective.
"Well?" she finally demanded.
"Well what?" He asked. "She thanked you, she didn't walk away in disgust, and her husband isn't banging down the door in anger. Next time you have her over, make sure it isn't pork..."
That didn't exactly go over well with Mom. She decided to go over and make amends...to which my father asked "amend what? The only one upset here is you."
About a week later, Josephine invited Mom over for a lunch, but Mom was dreading going. Dad looked at her and said, "now that would be the ultimate insult if you declined. Go take your medicine, if there is any..."
So, Mom goes over, and there in trepedation, and Josephine grabs her by the arm and practically drags her inside (we kids are watching this). But right before we're shooed out the door, I hear Josephine say, "This is ham, and this is tuna, and this one is roast beef, which would you like to try first?"
Moral of the story. There is no sin (no grievence), commited by the ignorant, hence no stumbling block. But there is healing in abundance by the gracious who take no offense, to the ignorant innocence of others.
At least, that was the way I was raised...
v/r
Joshua
