Blogger Priest

There are a number of little things that count in regard to our faith and worship. Let me approach a subject that will probably disturb some but that has to be said. Particular during the summer months, the issue of proper dress at church comes to a head. What we believe internally usually finds itself expressed externally. What we do on the outside strengthens our convictions of right and wrong, internally. At the Last Supper, on the night our Lord was betrayed, he instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood. This would be the manner by which he would perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the centuries until his return, entrusting a memorial of his death and resurrection to his beloved spouse, the Church. If we know and believe the teachings of the Church on the Eucharist, what should be the visible effects of our faith in our lives? Allow me to suggest a way that can help make it all clear. Would you expect to be admitted to a fine, elegant restaurant wearing jeans, sneakers and a tee-shirt? No. Then why do some of us come shabbily or inappropriately dressed to the House of God? The food being served here far exceeds the fanciest French cuisine. Here, Catholics have a lot to learn from many of their Protestant and Jewish neighbors who would never dream of wearing anything but their best to God’s House. Interestingly, they do not even claim, as we do, to have almighty God permanently dwelling there. We all know that God does not expect us to wear evening gowns and tuxedoes to Sunday Mass; but, he does expect our Sunday best, because what we wear reflects our interior disposition. As for those who say that “God doesn’t care what we wear to church,” let me remind them of the parable our Lord told of the man evicted from the Wedding Feast because he was improperly clad. We need to be properly clad on the inside as well. This we accomplish by making regular use of the Sacrament of Penance and by the one-hour fast the Church asks us to observe before receiving Communion. The unworthy reception of our Lord’s body and blood while having mortal sin upon the soul is to commit another mortal sin, sacrilege. Coming to Mass wearing short shorts, having flip-flops on our feet, or recreational clothes, really says something about what we are there to do. Most of this garb is thoughtlessness and that is just the point. Think of what you are doing at Mass and express the true meaning and expectation in the way you dress. The priest’s garments all say something about his role as the celebrant and presider at the gathering. To dress simply in clean clothes, modestly, properly covering the body— that says something, too.

Filed under: Awalt Papers |