For example: what about propriety in dress? Is there a proper way to dress when coming to worship the Lord at Mass? Our culture has elevated informality to an art form, and I am one of those devotees. Still, there
is a line somewhere, when informality can be mistaken for a lack of respecting the sensibilities of your neighbor and the awesome presence of the Lord within our communal worship. Where is that line, between informality (that many of us cherish) and a seeming lack of respect for the sensibilities of others? Is beachwear an appropriate dress for the Divine Liturgy? I
love the comfort of shorts and a tee-shirt and flip-flops; but, does that style of “dress” respect the sensibilities of others, your “neighbor” just down the pew? Let’s think and pray about it some.
If
modesty is freedom from conceit and vanity... what is it freedom
for? What does a modest disposition prepare us for? What does a modest disposition betoken?
Hope you don’t mind this short reflection. Speaking about these things is a dicey proposition for a pastor. There was a time when the priest seemed to “micro-manage” everything. That’s
not what this short reflection seeks to inaugurate. Instead, I would ask that we... as a parish family... think about
how we are with each other, how we respect the sensibilities of each other, how we seek to manifest our faith-life... in everything we do and say and are. All this, for the greater glory of God (AMDG), and for love.
Msgr. David
