Gospel Reflections for October 15 2017
What to wear to church?
I don’t have much choice in what I wear each day. It’s either this black shirt …or that black shirt! (It may be boring but at least it’s easy)
Sometimes people ask me to comment on what other people wear at Mass. I will defer to the way Jesus says in today’s Gospel …and it’s not what it seems at first.
The Gospel tells of a great wedding feast with many guests. These receptions were happy events in ancient village life. The reception would last more than a week! The first reading also has images of banquets and people enjoying choice wines and delicious food.
However, one guest is turned away for not wearing an appropriate “wedding garment.” Archaeologists today are not sure what that garment was. Would Jesus turn someone away just for clothes? Do clothes have some other meaning? 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 to communicate besides talking. For example, our behavior is also sends a message and so is a kind of “talking.” In fact, behavior often speaks louder than words. Facial expressions also say a lot. Before you speak, your face has already given you away!
Since your clothes are visible even from a distance, they also speak something as well. What do they say? Fancy clothes send one message while comfortable lay-around-the-house clothes send another. They each speak a message from you to others. …What is the message you want to speak?
I often hear two ideas. Some say comfortable clothes say “God loves and respects me just as I am, in my ordinary clothes,” while others say, “I dress up for God by wearing special clothes to show my love and respect for Him.”
Both are reasonable, sincere, and authentic messages from good people who would never mean any disrespect at Church. The main thing is to ask is if the clothes that we wear are the actual message we want to convey. Have I thought about how I dress, one way or the other? Have I thought about what my clothes express? That thoughtful attentiveness is what Our Lord seeks today…for either message.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Love your words “Jesus is more interested in our minds and in our heart!!!” When one’s heart is filled with joy and Jesus’ love, the way one dresses reflects that!!!! Live in love, dress in love and share our loveeeeeeeeee with everyone!!!
Have a precious day in our loving Jesus and our Beautiful Blessed Mother’s Love!!!
Loveeeeee, franca and Dick
Thank you!
Thank you, Fr. Dave, for a thoughtful reflection on “What to wear at Mass”
Our attire at Mass has become increasingly relaxed and in some cases inapropriate
for the banquet of the Lord Yes we say, it is the heart that matters. Whatever is clean and
comfortable is sufficient. Should there be an element of respect for the King of Kings
in !the way that we dress?
“Worship the Lord in holy attire”
Maybe if our attention at Mass and the clothes that we wear are in sync, we might be in a better
place to welcome the Lord.!
.
Fr. Dave, thank you for another thoughtful reflection on using the Gospels for daily living. Next time the subject of dress comes up in conversation with family, friends or colleagues I will share this post.
I hope it helps!
Well said!
I suppose that dress has a lot to do with the local culture. A person’s “dress up” in one place might be a lot different from that of someone in a different location. I suppose that special grass skirts with fresh leis could be dress up in Hawaii. I think there is reason for us to dress up in honor of Our Lord at Mass. But what that is depends upon where you are.
Of course women have to be conservative so as not to be too sexually attractive since this is distracting for many men.
Yes, local culture plays an important part for sure.
Dear Father Dave,
I appreciate your message and understand that the good Lord sees beyond what we wear, thank goodness. Yes, “thoughtful attentiveness.”
However, every now and then, a tiny percentage of good-hearted people at Mass look as though they’re ready for a beach party.
There’s an old saying: a hat for all occasions.
Thank you so much for taking the time each week to provide your reflections on the Gospels. They are always thought provoking.
Kathleen
I understand your thoughts. Yes, a hat for all occasions.