Appearance

[kindu]

Why is that when people go to a party, they dress up, but when they go to church, they dress like they’re going to the beach or to a barbecue in the back yard?

 

[Voradin]

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Why is that when people go to a party, they dress up, but when they go to church, they dress like they’re going to the beach or to a barbecue in the back yard?

What are you talking about? I don’t dress formal for either parties or going to church. I wear whatever outdoor clothes I can find in my closet.

 

[fermat]

I know that I am guilty of that sometimes, particuarly when I go to the Vigil Mass. I always feel a little guilty about too.

 

[smileHEhasrisen]

well i try to look my best when going to church but in reality we shouldnt look at others clothes we should be focusing on Jesus Christ:thumbsup:

just my 2 cents hope no one takes it as a disrespect

 

[purplesunshine]

I don’t dress up. Its just not something I do or like to do. Once in college I fell under extreme peer pressure and went to a formal dance.

Weekdays I conform to my simple slacks and a nice sweater. Weekends (and that typically includes Mass) I wear dark jeans and a hoodie when its cold, dark jeans or kaki capris and a plain tee when its hot.

I don’t have the money, time, or patience to “look good”

 

[stringbeanduck]

I think we should try our best to be well groomed and wear decent looking clothes(nothing revealing, torn ect…), but I doubt we have to be perfect. Better someone goes to Mass in rags and in pure of heart than in mortal sin and expensive clothes.

 

[Liberanosamalo]

Seriously, I don’t see cost as an excuse. I see people in old jeans and shirts that if they had marched over to Ross or something they could have gotten an $8 skirt and $4 blouse. IT’s a fight I had with my kids for years. Once they noticed so many adults didn’t care what they wore for God… it became impossible to get them to dress nicely. Now one of my dd’s goes to an orthodox church because the people there show more respect for God by dressing nicely.



I’ve heard priests give sermons about dress… asking if they’d wear such outfits to a fine restaurant or a local famous performing arts center… always you can hear a pin drop during those sermons.

The attitude seems to be “God should be grateful I came at all.”

 

[LilyM]

Why is that when people go to a party, they dress up, but when they go to church, they dress like they’re going to the beach or to a barbecue in the back yard?

Because when they go to a party they’re dressing to impress other people, when they go to Church they’re aware that God won’t be fooled by even the snazziest appearance if the heart and soul aren’t right. While some may have the attitude of ‘God should be greatful I came at all’, that’s probably not the case for the majority.

Didn’t Jesus say something about ‘whitewashed sepulchres’? Not that I’m suggesting that such an epithet applies to the vast majority of people who do make the effort to dress for Mass. And didn’t He also send His disciples out travelling without sandals and without a spare change of clothing even? They can’t have looked good even on the sabbath.

Just reminding people that while a book with good content is worth having even if it’s not in a well-presented cover, the nicest cover possible won’t rescue a book if its content is worthless.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Seriously, I don’t see cost as an excuse. I see people in old jeans and shirts that if they had marched over to Ross or something they could have gotten an $8 skirt and $4 blouse. IT’s a fight I had with my kids for years. Once they noticed so many adults didn’t care what they wore for God… it became impossible to get them to dress nicely. Now one of my dd’s goes to an orthodox church because the people there show more respect for God by dressing nicely.



I’ve heard priests give sermons about dress… asking if they’d wear such outfits to a fine restaurant or a local famous performing arts center… always you can hear a pin drop during those sermons.

The attitude seems to be “God should be grateful I came at all.”

Eheheh… well you know over here…

4 USD = 190 PHP
8 USD = 380 PHP

Total = 12 USD = 570
That’s still very expensive for us.

 

[purplesunshine]

I rarely buy new clothes except for shoes.

I don’t go to fine restaurants or performing art centers. If I did I’d force myself to wear work clothes. But I HATE them.

I don’t think that you should judge saying the same people wear nice clothes else ware who also wear jeans to church. Sometimes it simply isn’t true.

 

[AKIDA]

I normally try to be decent and smart when going to church on the assumption that I am going to be in the same room with God so I take as if I am meeting a VIP!

 

[jwashu]

You can look nice and not “dress up” I believe just like any family function we need to look nice for those we love but I’m not sure that requires a suit or formal wear.

Joe

 

[whatevergirl]

*I don’t put a lot of stock in what people are dressed like at mass. I have seen people dressed up to the nines, and practically hit other cars trying to be the first out of the parking lot…give rude looks to a family that might sit next to them in the pews…or shoot a nasty glare at a baby crying during mass. I have seen people wear jeans and tee shirts…who are caring, kind, and reverent. I have also seen people who dress up, and are caring, kind and reverent, too…so, truthfully, if your heart is dressed down for the occasion, what you’re wearing makes little difference. No one fools God.

I don’t believe people should dress immodestly for mass, that is a different topic altogether. I do understand the OP’s topic point though–people dress up for a client meeting, or a party, but won’t dress up for mass. I understand, I know what you mean.

But, over the years, I have seen such poor behaviors from both people who dress nicely, and those who don’t…that it has come to mean nothing to me, how someone looks on the outside. As long as they are clean, and well kempt–and take some effort to dress modestly, I think that’s all that matters. Just my opinion. *