Sunday Best
I have become increasingly disturbed by what parents let their kids wear to church. When I was growing up, I was taught that one was supposed to wear their "Sunday best" when they went to church. After all, you are going to worship God and I believe he deserves the respect of at least wearing nice clothes to do it. Parents should not let their kids come to church in their jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers! Put on a collared shirt for crying out loud! What's even more disturbing here in Pittsburgh (I'm sure it happens elsewhere as well) is when I see kids (or even adults) come to church in football jerseys. Even if I liked the Steelers (which I don't) I would still find it disrespectful. You have the whole rest of the day to wear your jersey. Don't do it at church! Church isn't a football game, it's where you go to worship and reverence God. There is no reverence in putting on the first thing you pull out of your drawer.
11 comments:
I agree with you all the way around, though IMO the worst is seeing acolytes with ratty jeans and sneakers sticking out from their cassocks, and even adult ushers or lectors dressed carelessly.
Very true, very true!
I might be a little bit guilty of this.
But, perhaps people turn up in the best they can. How could we know if a pair of jeans and a cheap t shirt isnt someone elses sunday best? Turning up in dirty and unkempt clothing is another story, but I try not to judge cause I don't know someone elses situation.
Ive turned up to church in jeans and a tank top before as it was the only clothes that I had with me at the the time (and did feel quite self-conscious of it). But at least I turned up.
I dont know if someones clothing changes their level of faith or spirituality. I may be wrong (and am willing to be corrected) but should it matter so much?
The fact that these people are even turning up to church at all, is great.
Just my thoughts...
numero uno,
I agree that the more important thing is their presence in church. And I would not question (even in my mind) someone I had never met. But I have seen plenty of people I do know (because of going to church with them over time, or outside of church), who could reasonably be called upper-middle-class and have no financial burden, who still dress down for church. I know a lot of folks who feel that since they dress up 5 days a week at the office, they want to take advantage of their freedom on the weekend to completely let go. I think it's unfortunate that those folks don't realize the message they are presenting about the importance of worship to themselves or their children.
Blessings,
Frank
I agree, the most important part is that they have shown up to church. But let's look at it this way:
When you go to a wedding, you rent tuxes and buy dresses;the best formal wear around to show respect (you wouldn't dare show up in a sports jersey). At a wedding you are celebrating two humans.
When you go to mass, you are celebrating and worshipping your creator. Don't you think there should be more respect and reverence shown to God than to two humans?
I wish we had more children at my Church to wear collared shirts!
Danny's right, we should all try to dress appropriately for Holy Mass. People tend to forget that Holy Mass is a Sacred Banquet wherein we are invited to receive the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation - the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and our God. Remember, when we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, it is our betrothal to the Lord and we must be in our wedding garment.
Matthew 22:9-14 says "Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find. The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen."
I would not underestimate the poor. Most times they come with collared shirts and simple dresses. The challenge goes to those of us who have the means.
That's really fair, but I guess like I figure, in my situation the time where I turned up in jeans and a tshirt, I didn't really have a choice that time, having not been able to get home for a change of clothes before going to church and for that day, jeans and a t shirt WAS my sundays best. I guess I just wanted to point out that you can't know everyone's situation.
But I agree, if you have the means, and you have no other excuse and just turn up in grubby clothes "because you can", then that's slightly disrespectful.
I'm not trying really to challenge anything, but this is just something I've thought about myself. What if, to someone else, they are wearing their sunday best, to them, their most stunning outfit, which, in another persons eyes could look absolutely hideous? lol. I don't know. I'm not really talking about kids turning up in footy jerseys though, just outfits in general.
I've always wondered this myself, because I remember back to when I wasn't religious and when people would talk about wearing their "sundays best" to church, I always gibed it by telling my church-going friends, that it seemed so judgemental for people to remark about other peoples clothing.
Either way, I'm pretty neutral on this issue. I, personally do my best to turn up to church wearing something that I would wear to say, an event with my family or friends. But whatever someone else wants to wear isn't my business.
Thats just my thoughts, I'm sorry if it seems like I'm challenging anyone. I'm new to faith (thats my excuse and Im sticking to it!! ;) So there's still things like this that I don't entirely understand :)
Thanks for the explaination though!!!
xoxoxoxo
Jess
Numero Uno lung-o,
First of all, I appreciate your candor. I understand where you're coming from. There are all kinds of mitigating factors such as the culture of the community for example people in Africa or the Philippines may have a different mode of clothing. So we are not in a position to judge them nor their level of spirituality. However, here in America, one can discern quickly what is modest or immodest clothing by the level of cloth that's covering the skin and I ought to apply this rule first to myself. Whether or not I am dressed appropriately for Church is between me and the Lord but this does not mean that, in good conscience, I can deliberately disregard (and I say deliberate because your situation was not deliberate at all) the need to be reverend in manner and attire in Church. Perhaps one of the problems is the lack of catechesis on the Real Presence of the Eucharist and instruction from our clergy in reminding the congregation about proper dress. Let's keep them in our prayers.
"Perhaps one of the problems is the lack of catechesis on the Real Presence of the Eucharist and instruction from our clergy in reminding the congregation about proper dress."
I couldn't agree more, St. Peter's Helpers! Thanks for your comments.
Numero-Uno lung-o,
Thanks for your comments as well. I think your situation was totally different than the concern I was expressing. You had no other choice, whereas as most other people do have a choice. If you have the choice, it should be to look your best for God.
Thanks for the posts :) I understand and agree with what you're both saying!
xx
Jess
Post a Comment