Modesty

      We are temples of the Holy Spirit! With weddings, Quince Años celebrations, and warmer weather, I hear comments about modesty and appropriate dress at church. Let me be clear, I consider this to be an issue which families must address, and which mature individuals must consider as members and participants in a faith community. Modesty extends to every part of our life, not just at church!
      First, modesty is an issue for both genders. Modesty is expressed by our words, actions, and attitudes. I have heard accusations made about girls and women and the clothes they wear. But, many times the immodesty of males, their disrespectful speech and behavior, and their promiscuity is overlooked. Ultimately, we are speaking about relationships and the respect that is due to every human being as a child of God. If we are only looking at each other, or displaying ourselves, as objects for pleasure, then we have lowered ourselves to an unworthy status.
     Some men have complained to me: “Father Andy, women and girls come to church dressed in a way that is a distraction to me. I am unable to pray and worship.” And I have replied to the men with a question: “And when you see these same women and girls at the store, or walking down the street, do you complain about their immodesty? Or, do you stop to leer at them, perhaps make inappropriate comments and whistle at them?” 
     Of course, in our society where the human body is super-sexualized and objectified, persons of faith are called to testify to our dignity as persons, not as objects. This means that men and women must work together in order to raise awareness about the habitual objectification of the body. We must be aware of the increasing abuses of persons through pornography and sex-trafficking.
     We cannot allow ourselves to be excused from our own disrespectful attitudes and behaviors because some people are so much worse. We must not view our “occasional” viewing of pornography as harmless. There are persons who are being used and thrown away, daily, by the so-called “sex industry.” 
     Modesty is about seeing the other person as a beloved one of God. And, dressing in a respectful manner is an important concern for families, church communities, and society as a whole. We must be vigilant about being mutually respectful. There is much work to be done. Let us respect each other as temples of the Holy Spirit!
Peace Fr. Andy