Wow! What a great article! Now that you have covered the clothing, Monsignor Pope, can you write an article on how people SHOULD conduct themselves at Mass? When others are trying to pray before or after Mass? Where is the respect? the reverence? etc.
Showing respect to our Lord is what is most important. In today’s culture, the clothing norm has certainly changed. Would you ever believe a pair of cotton denim jeans would sell for $150 or more? The ultimate question you should ask yourself, “…do I look respectful…” to attend a celebration of the mass?
Attending church in a bathsuit or wearing short-shorts while the remainder of the congregation is dressed in business informal is not being respectful to the others of the congregation. While what I wear does not individually effect the service it may effect the attention of others. I could only presume that God is blind to our attire but pleased to have us in attendance. In my opinion, our clothing becomes direspectful when it alone causes others from absorbing the sacrifice of the mass.
I once read that during the celebration of the Mass we are transmitted to Heaven in concert with the Heavenly body as Jesus Christ is transfigured on the alter by the priest. What we are wearing becomes an issue if it distracts anyone from participating in that moment. Be clean, neat and help to focus others on the purpose for being there. God LOVES YOU no matter what you may be wearing but dress as if He’s looking directly at you. God Bless.
Look inside your heart. The answer is there, then listen attentively and you will know what God wants you to do.
While we’re at it, let’s address all the talking that goes on in the Church before and after Mass. People act as if they are waiting for a musical to start. Rather than take the time before Mass to prepare for it, people have a need to chat with their neighbor about anything and everything. There is no respect for the Eucharist much less those that are trying to get in some quiet time with the Lord before the Mass begins. We in the United States have thrown God out of our country and are worshiping the evil one by allowing abortion to continue. Then we wonder why the world is in such a mess. Jeans worn at Mass are probably the least of our worries.
Thoughts?
On more than one occasion I have asked my pastor to address the issue of improper dress. The answer has always been that they won’t do it out of fear of losing people. Maybe if the people in the pews heard this from the pulpit, they would payday loans California give it some serious thought. If they have so little respect for our Lord, maybe we wouldn’t be missing much by their absence. We need to have serious believers in our Churches. Perhaps if our priests were bolder, we wouldn’t have so many “Catholic” politicians who give scandal by defying the basic tenets of our faith.
While some would consider jeans informal others would consider them formal attire
I agree this is a very important issue and strive every week to impress upon my children the importance of “dressing” for Mass. I’m wondering about daily Mass attendance. That has been where I have been more lax and allowed jeans and sandals. We attend Mass and our day begins, so “daily” wear has been our norm. However, the Mass is the same Monday or Sunday, right?