After three years of arduous work, Leonardo da Vinci finished his commissioned painting, "The Last Supper," and invited a friend whose opinion he respected to give him an evaluation.
The friend was full of praise. He liked it on every score and one by one listed the paintings virtues, including the realism of the silver chalice that the Master held in his hand. "Why, the cup is so real I cannot keep my eyes off it," he said.
"The cup is too prominent then," da Vinci responded. "Nothing should distract attention from the figure of Christ." And with a few quick strokes of a brush, the artist painted over the offending cup.
When you are tempted to argue points of doctrine about the Christian Faith, remember da Vinci's words. Nothing should detract from Christ. He should be the central figure in your life and mine, and nothing else should shift that focus or emphasis. Following Christ's example of love is our first order of business. All else is secondary.
Fr. Anthony Coniaris, Daily Vitamins for Spiritual Growth, vol. 3