Gospel for October 15 2023 – Matthew 22:1-14
Gospel Reflections for October 15 2023
What to wear at Mass?
This Gospel is about what behavior and clothes reveal.
Clearly the behavior of those attacking Israel this week communicates only hate and cruelty. Iran, which planned these attacks, and trained the Hamas Palestinian terrorists, is trying to stop a major peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, along with several other Arab states, which could lead to a final and lasting Middle East peace. Iranian and Hamas evil behavior reveals their evil motives.
Behavior reveals everything. Doctors look at your visible behavior to reveal your inner health. That is what you would want! Everyone is also looking intently at the president now and other candidates behavior for visible signs of their inner health as well.
The parable today describes a great wedding reception and a guest who is not dressed right. Are clothes really that important?
Sometimes people ask me to comment on what people wear at Mass. I will defer to today’s Gospel …and about what clothes actually say.
One guest is removed for not wearing an appropriate wedding garment. Would Jesus turn someone away just for clothes? Of course, we know Jesus is more interested in our heart and mind than our clothes, so maybe He is talking about something deeper.
Whenever you speak, you normally use words, however, there are other ways you actually communicate besides talking. Your behavior also sends a message and so is a kind of talking as well. In fact, your behavior and clothes often speaks louder than any words. Facial expressions also say a lot. Before you even speak, your face, behavior, and clothes have already said a lot!
Since your clothes are visible even from a distance, they say something about your inner beliefs as well. Special clothes send one message while informal clothes send another. What is the message you want to say?
Some say casual clothes affirm “God loves me just as I am,” while others say, “I dress up for God to show my deep respect for Him.”
Both can be sincere messages from good people who would never mean any disrespect at Church. The main thing to ask yourself is. …Have you thought about how you dress and what your clothes express? That thoughtful attentiveness is what Our Lord seeks today …for either message.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Father Dave,
When I was a young student in Catholic school, dress code was mandatory. We wore uniforms and were very aware of “respectful” attire.
But, as we know, things evolve. And change of some sort is inevitable, which brings us back to the Gospels—their truths and guidelines.
The word decorum comes to mind. It’s the body language of Dignity. Dignity In heart and soul. Love….
Imagine if the sky opened in blinding brilliance and Christ appeared and everyone could see Him!
Evil would turn in fear. Our tears would dry.
Prayers for our world to pull Christ’s brilliance into every beating heart, mind, and soul.
God bless you.
Kathleen
Well said.
Dear Fr Dave
The wedding place is the Heaven were the H.Trinity , Angels, Saints and Guests who were admitted, reside.
If you want to enter Heaven you have to were the right wedding dress meaning you have
to be acceptable spiritually, morally, clean heart by The Holy Trinity.
If you arrive without the proper “Wedding Dress” you will be outcasted.
That is how Insee it.
Peace
Jan Wennink.
Your comments are the same as the Gospel for sure.
This reading leaves. Much to wonder about. He is inviting Poor people to a feast and presumably they could not afford fancy garment’s but only one is ejected. Perhaps He is too
Fussy and that’s why the invited don’t show up..
well we can ask when we see Jesus in Heaven.
I see people dress for Mass in decent attire and figure Tis nice they come. And rich or poor, right or left, strong or weak they are all the Body of Christ. I do not have to like what they wear but only to love them.
Your motives are certainly good. I just hope the motives of others are at least considered and thought out, and not just clothes mindlessly thrown on.
A little bit of a sensitive subject, but one I would love to comment on. Whether we think so or not, our personal appearance is very important. I grew up in a family of 12 children and although we were limited in income, my mother always had us dressed neatly and “appropriate” for all occasions.
Remember: “You never get a second chance at a first impression”
And: We are all at Mass on Sunday to worship God and should be sensitive to the fact that we don’t want to distract others there wanting to do the same.
Think about it: we have an appointment to worship our Savior Jesus Christ and receive the Eucharist at communion. Wow!!! Dress for the Occasion!!
Just my opinion.
Well said. This is the way I think as well. I sets apart the time at Mass as different from other events during the day. However, I do understand the other side, and the fact that Southern California has a history of relaxed dress. I do ask men to remove their hats and have no sleeveless shirts. So far, no one objects, which is good.
It is beautiful to dress appropriately for our precious Jesus and have our hearts filled with so much love for Him!! !Our loveeeeeeeee is the most precious and hopefully our attire will show our love in a special way!!!Praying for our precious Israel!! Loved your article on the current situation!!! May our preciousJjesus love help to end this war and have love and peace!!!
Thank you!
I appreciate being able to go to mass in casual attire, but that should not include shorts ,short dresses & dresses that reveal midriffs & bosoms. Not only do I think it’s disrespectful to God, but I think it can cause some men to divert their attention away from God & to sinful thoughts,
If the Senate voted to maintain a dress code, should the church ask for less?
I wonder how much the lessening of certain standards of dress & behavior has contributed to the high percentage of Catholics who do not believe in the Presence. Dressing appropriately,, kneeling for communion , receiving the host on the tongue & staying until mass is over conveyed , I think, the sanctity of the mass.
Sherrie