Summertime Sensitivity

At Sunday Mass we see in people’s attire a reflection of our culture’s casual, relaxed approach to life. Since the Mass is a formal act of worship and our encounter with the Lord, I encourage you to reflect on the choices you make in dress when coming to church. Blogger Tom Perna describes two main reasons why our attire matters:

• How we dress conveys respect and honor. When we dress appropriately for Mass, we are saying to God, “You are worth the effort; you deserve my best.” It also communicates to your fellow parishioners that you take Mass seriously.
• Dressing in a respectful manner changes our interior disposition. Personally, when I have a suit on, or even just a tie, my words, thoughts, posture, and my general attitude are different. My father used to say to me,“a gentleman knows how to dress for every occasion.”

No one is advocating that Mass be a “black tie” event, but coming to church in attire intended for the beach or the gym hardly conveys the respect we should have for the Lord’s House or the witness we should provide to others that Mass is important…the most important hour of the week!