Sunday Best, Not Sunday Ordinary

Here are some reasons why we should make an effort to dress well for Sunday Mass:

In the first place, we must think of what Mass actually is…the most perfect prayer…the union of Heaven and earth. We are guests of the King of the Universe at His Heavenly banquet. That seems worthy of better attire than old jeans. But…the counterargument states. It’s true that we go to Mass to worship God, and He is Lord of all, but He loves us just as we are. Why should how we dress matter to Him if we truly love Him?

Well, it is absolutely true that He loves us just as we are, but how much love are we showing Him if we do not even try to look better than we do on weekdays for Him? In fact, good dress in church is the reason in English we have the expression “Sunday best,” not “Sunday ordinary.”

But, the counterargument continues, a heart filled with love for Him is always more important than the outfit one is wearing. Considered by itself, this statement is correct. Certainly, the most important thing someone can bring to Sunday Mass is not good clothes but love. However, looking unkempt for Mass is not as innocuous as it might seem. In reality…Sunday dress has much less to do with mere appearance, and more the interior spirit it helps to reveal.

There are other underlying reasons why people might be dressing badly for Mass, rather than just a simple preference for casual clothes. It could stem from an attitude of indifference (“So what if I’m not dressed up? I’m already going out of my way to go to church, so I’m not going to go to even more trouble. Another reason is simply laziness, or “I just don’t feel like changing.”

However, perhaps the greatest cause…is a loss of the sense of the sacred. Perhaps people dress up for something like the opera because they have a sense of respect for the performers. If we respect opera…in that way, why not give God just the same respect?

Now, there are some legitimate reasons to go to Sunday Mass in bad clothes—say you overslept and are running the risk of being late or wore all your better clothes during the week and forgot to do laundry. Dressing well for Sunday Mass is important for giving God due respect. But there is another positive aspect to it. If we are striving to love God better, improving our dress is one way of reminding ourselves that “He is greater than I,” and putting Him up as greater than earthly activities in our lives.

Now, I’m not saying that everyone who wears bad clothes to Sunday Mass is automatically irreverent and has no love for God. Rather, when done with the right intention, choosing to dress well is an outward manifestation of a love of God…Next time you’re getting dressed for Mass, if you feel inconvenienced, try not to think about it that way. First, remember that you’re doing it for God. Second, think of it as aiding you to grow in love for Him. You could remember that no sacrifice was too great for Him…in saving us, so this small sacrifice should not be too great for us.

Abridged: The Importance of Dressing Well for Sunday Mass; Cecily Lowe: From Blog Catholic Stand 3 Nov 2021