Boy, we just got home from Mass. You would think after a few decades being a convert, I'd get used to what some Catholics wear to Church, but you know... I never do. It is one of those great mysteries to me as a former Protestant, kind of like that mystery about why people will say "I am Catholic" and then follow it up with "But I don't believe what the Church teaches...." [then you aren't, by definition, a Catholic...]
You don't see that in Baptist Churches. In the same way that a woman would rather drop dead than wear spaghetti straps to Sunday service, nobody says "Yeah, I'm a Baptist, but I don't believe what the Baptists teach...." I mean, that's just nonsense isn't it? Either you are or you aren't.... and by definition, what defines your faith is what you believe, yes? If you don't believe what a certain faith teaches, then why would you claim that faith?
Very odd to my previously Protestant brain.
So, just in case anyone was wondering, I have some thoughts to share about how some people dress at Mass.
First, I should not see your breasts when I go to Mass. I don't want to see them, I don't need to see them, and God Help the poor Priest on the Altar who is struggling to live his vows of Chastity while having to look down into your amply revealed bosom to offer you Holy Communion - I mean, come on ladies!!!! WHAT are you thinking?
Not only should I not see any part of your breasts, but I should *definitely* not see enough of them to be able to determine whether they are the breasts God gave you or whether you chose some cosmetic surgical help to get them where they are today. [I guess one would be proud of any financial investment of that magnitude, but seriously - I don't need to see 'em. Trust me].
Likewise, I don't need to see your booty crack. I really don't. It may come as a shock, but "low rise" skin tight jeans that show half your gluteus maximus are NOT appropriate Church attire [or appropriate attire *anywhere* in life IMO, but that's another thread....]. And, as a "generously proportioned" woman myself, I feel comfortable telling you that if your jeans are 4 sizes too small and leave all your fat rolls hanging out in every direction, that really doesn't make the low riders any *more* attractive...quite the contrary my dears.
In addition, I don't need to see the lower part of your butt cheeks either. If you have a skirt on that is so short that people can tell whether or not you are wearing panties and what color they are when you kneel for prayer, you should probably rethink that outfit. [For Church AND life in general].
As a general rule, if you have a tattoo in an intimate spot that only your dear husband should ever view, I don't want to see it in Mass. Really. I'm sure it is lovely, but I can live my whole life without seeing it. NO harm will come of that. And if you purchased yourself one of those infamous "Whore License plates" across your entire rear, I don't need to see that either, no matter how fancy it is. Also, again, as an older woman with a tattoo that is showing its years, if you got your tattoo 20 or 30 years ago, it probably isn't as lovely as the day you got it. I prefer not to spend half of Mass behind you trying to squint and see what it was supposed to look like when you first got it in your youth - before all those extra pounds and babies came along... and the other half of Mass feeling horribly guilty for being so distracted that I spent the homily thinking "hmmmm....maybe it used to look like a wolf howling at the moon... or a hummingbird?".
In addition, spaghetti straps and tank tops aren't really nice Church attire either. Especially if they are cut lower in the back than your bra. If I can tell you not only exactly what color your bra is, but also the brand name and your cup size because I can see the entire back of it exposed the whole time I'm sitting behind you, well... you need to rethink that outfit. Truly. Just consider not wearing that one again.
Just... THINK. I mean seriously.
And if you are a Daddy and your darling 14 year old is the one committing these offenses in the Holy Mass, then you ought to be taken out and whipped. That girl needs a strong male role model in her life to teach her what the real beauty of a woman is, and obviously you are NOT fitting the bill. Go read a couple of good books on being a dad and give it at least as much effort as you give your business or your golf game. Check out "Father, the Family Protector" by James Stenson and go visit Steve Wood's website.
It never fails to amaze me to go to a Catholic Church in summer. We are blessed at our Church with a reasonably devout Congregation - 80% of the people who attend are dressed in their lovely Sunday best, or at the very least they aren't showing any parts favored by porn magazines. But even at our Church, we have that interesting 20% that choose to wear the most surprising things.
I am glad they are at Church. I really am, and God love them.
But I do wonder if it might not be appropriate to post a dress code or something outside the door. Maybe we could rent out "cover ups" like they have at the beach and use that to fund St. Vincent de Paul and help the poor or something...
Anyway, just had to share some thoughts on this today.
I hope you are having a Blessed weekend!
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8 comments:
Couldn't agree more! I was thinking the same thing today as I was behind a woman who looked like she was in a lingere top. And the last time we hosted the breakfast after the 8:30 mass there was a woman there my mom's age with the biggest bossoms money could buy proudly displayed in a very low cut cleveage showing skin tight dress. Don't even get me started on the tween agers there with their parents! My boys favorite comment now is, "Catherine will never be allowed to dress like that!"
You could take this post and put it in the bulletin!
You said a mouthful and it's all the truth. Ahhh the slippery slope, we've lost so much of our Catholic identity. If people really believed that was Jesus in the host then they'd act differently!
It has to come from the Priest. In my "old"Mass, much of the respect for our Lord is still alive. I don't see many lewd dressers, thank God! And I believe there's something to that!
love it!!
and in Hanceville, AL at the Shrine...they do have proper attire they either let you borrow or purchase [can't remember!]
I read somewhere about a church where they cranked up the A/C and thereafter had no trouble with people covering up. Maybe worth the extra bucks per month in energy costs.
(I wonder if that's why my church is so cool on Sundays??)
Oh, Kelly, you have hit all of the nails on the head and you made me literally laugh out loud at the same time! You should print this out and have it published in many church bulletins. All kidding aside, it is very sad how people disrespect themselves and our Lord. Even my 4 year old daughter has been taught enough to know to say on Sundays: "I always wear my best for God!"
So last week there was a youth group convention downtown. I have to cut through the hotel to get to my office building so we are welcomed on Monday to hundreds of Christian teenagers.
Tuesday, my buddy and I are walking into the hotel from the bus and we see five teenage girls coming out of the elevators headed to the coffee bar. Two of them have on skin tight t-shirts with no bra and tight gym shorts. Another one has an oversized t-shirt for their youth group.
I approach the girls and say, "Ladies, are you here with your youth group?"
When they say yes, I reply, "Well, since you are here representing our Lord, is this the way you want to dress to represent Him? Have your parents or chaperons approved of this attire? How about you get ready for your day first before heading to the coffee bar. Thanks."
They looked at me funny but got on the up elevator.
My buddy started to make a comment about me being old but all I could say was, "If any of my daughters went out in public like that I pray to God that some father would stop her and send her straight home."
amen! amen amen!
And for the kids...shame on the parents for letting them come to mass like that...
You are so funny...hehe.
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