Who are you dressing for?

Witness through what we wear?
Our culture, with its emphasis on personal freedom, on being casual and comfortable, is bound to find its way into the choices we make  regarding how we come to Mass.  The choices we make regarding our attire can be a witness to what we believe as Catholics—that the church is the dwelling of God, a privileged place of prayer and the Mass as our awesome encounter with the Lord.
 
Our choices in attire reflect the importance we attach to a particular place and the people we encounter. Were we invited to a dignitary's residence or even going to dine at an upscale restaurant, I doubt that any of us would consider wearing what is often seen at Mass. While not advocating very formal attire, coming to church in clothing suited for a basketball court or the sands of the Jersey shore hardly seems appropriate for the Lord's House. A non-believer in our midst could easily conclude that for many Catholics, Mass is hardly an important event!
 
Everyone is surely welcome in the Lord's House, but we should take the time and effort to remind ourselves and others that Mass—our divine encounter—IS important!! Appropriate attire also conveys respect for those who worship with us and preserves the modesty we are called to practice.
 
Some will surely criticize the need for a notice such as this, contending that these are but trifles that do not matter in the eyes of God. After all, Our Lord does not judge the exterior but the interior. This is true, but Our Lord was observant of many details of worship. Externals do matter because they often reflect what we possess interiorly and remind us of what is important. 
 
The aim of my message is not to upbraid anyone but to summon us all to think a little more about witnessing to the sacred nature of our church and to respect all those who enter its doors. 

  
Msgr. Gervasio