Holy is His Name

[sconea]

It seems Catholics have joined Evangelicals in the popularity of ‘christian’ t-shirts and such. Lately I have seem some t-shirts using Our Lord’s name which make me wonder if we are not breaking the second commandment. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, Our God, in vain”

Checking the Catechism, in general, it says Our Lord’s name must not be used in trivial matters, or used improperly and that we should show respect and reverance for His Holy Name.

So when I see a t-shirt that says, “Jesus is my Homeboy” I feel I should make a quick prayer of reparation for such a disrespectful use of His Name. Throughout scripture, the holiness of the name of Our Lord is stressed. And this t-shirt and others seem to me irreverant.

How do others feel about this?

 

[CARose]

You know, I’d never thought of it that way, but after your bringing it to my attention, I think I may well agree with you. Thank you!

At the same time, I think I’d be careful about the manner in which I brought it to the attention of others. Remember, the message they’re trying to get across is that they love Christ, a good message to get out in our overly secular world. That being the case, their shirt might be seen as an evangelization tool rather than a sign of disrespect. (they’re saying something positive about Christ, rather than swearing using His Holy Name.)

So, while I’ll use your viewpoint as a point to consider if I see some great t-shirts that my daughter might be willing to wear, I’ll be cautious to not judge anyone who chooses to wear one.

CARose

 

[Jeanette_L]

So when I see a t-shirt that says, “Jesus is my Homeboy” I feel I should make a quick prayer of reparation for such a disrespectful use of His Name. Throughout scripture, the holiness of the name of Our Lord is stressed. And this t-shirt and others seem to me irreverant.

How do others feel about this?

I saw a picture of Pamela Anderson wearing a very tight “Jesus is my Homeboy” Tshirt, tied up into a midrif and cut low up top, she was definitely NOT using it as an evangelization tool. :nope: I honestly thought that particular Tshirt was supposed to be a mockery of Christian shirts. I didn’t know that real Christian were proudly wearing it!

I guess we have to be careful what kind of message we are trying to send, and how that message is probably being received.

 

[sconea]

Yes CARose…I agree. I know those wearing these things certainly mean well and many think of this as an evangelization ‘tool’. I don’t fault them. I just don’t think they understand or have never been taught the importance of the holiness of His name.’

But to call the Lord of the universe, Our Savior, your ‘homeboy’ seems the height of disrespect. It seems to trivialize, cheapen and commercialize the Holy Name of Our Lord. Shouldn’t we be more reverant than this? What ever happened to the Holy Name Society?

Wouldn’t it be better to ‘evangelize’ by the way we live rather than by a commercial?

 

[CARose]

I saw a picture of Pamela Anderson wearing a very tight “Jesus is my Homeboy” Tshirt, tied up into a midrif and cut low up top, she was definitely NOT using it as an evangelization tool.:nope:

That’s terrible!

I honestly thought that particular Tshirt was supposed to be a mockery of Christian shirts. I didn’t know that real Christian were proudly wearing it!

I have a teenager and I honestly never thought of it that way. I can see your perspective, but naive me, I just thought they were cute. I’d have a cow if I’d seen it worn as you describe above! And you may be right, that they’re mocking the message. But I wouldn’t assume that this is the intent of every kid wearing one.

I guess we have to be careful what kind of message we are trying to send, and how that message is probably being received.

How true.

The T-Shirt I did get for my daughter, although she wears it as a night shirt, so it’s not getting the use I was hoping for, is one with a picture of Mother Teresa, that reads “It sad that a child has to lose his life so as to not inconvenience the mother” (or something like that).

CARose

 

[Jeanette_L]

The T-Shirt I did get for my daughter, although she wears it as a night shirt, so it’s not getting the use I was hoping for, is one with a picture of Mother Teresa, that reads “It sad that a child has to lose his life so as to not inconvenience the mother” (or something like that).

CARose

I have seen this quote by Mother Teresa used on ProLife stuff a lot, I think it is absolutely an appropriate message to get out, and is not disrespectful at all!

 

[runandsew]

I would say that tee shirts, bumper stickers, or jewelry, if they are Christian symbols or sayings, and they are used just as a fashion statement or just as a decoration is wrong. If you are trying to make a statement, or to show people your faith, then it is a good thing. I see sports figures make the sign of the cross; I tend to wonder if they are really reflecting on their baptism, or just being superstitious. Though I know that I should not judge.
But by reading the previous posts I guess we all agree on this.
I have to say though when I see a rock star, or rapper wearing a huge gold cross, and then singing the most vial disgusting and degrading curse words in his songs I do then to judge those people at that point, Lord have mercy on me.

 

[sconea]

I still find it intolerable that the holy name of Our Lord, before which ‘every head should bow and every knee bend’…should be plastered across a t-shirt like an advertisement. This is not evangelizing. Guess I’m not a “modern” day Catholic.

 

[Jeanette_L]

I have to say though when I see a rock star, or rapper wearing a huge gold cross, and then singing the most vial disgusting and degrading curse words in his songs I do then to judge those people at that point, Lord have mercy on me.

We are not prohibited from making judgement calls on the actions or inactions of others, only on the state of their eternal destiny.

So, don’t be too hard on yourself, the Bible does tell us that we will know one another by the fruit our lives produce. The fruit of foul language, degenerate morals and generally ungodly behavior doesn’t leave us feeling that their hearts and minds are where that cross is!

 

[Cat]

I googled the meaning of “homeboy.” Here are a few links if you’re interested:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeboy
randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19971007

Homeboy is African American slang for “friend,” although in modern use, it also means gang involvement. But the commonly understood meaning among African Americans is “friend.”

Personally, I see no irreverence in saying “Jesus is my Friend.”

I think we need to be careful not to condemn someone’s culture or language. Even if it sounds irreverent to us, it may not be irreverent at all to those from that culture.

If a t-shirt with this slogan will help African Americans or those interested in African American culture to be drawn to Jesus and His Church, then I say wear it!

And just because a celebrity mocks Jesus by using items irreverently doesn’t mean the item itself is irreverent. Madonna mocks the crucifixion of our Lord, but that doesn’t make His sacrifice irreverent.

 

[lak611]

I have a wallet with a fish on it and a hat that has a fish and reads “echo Him” with a design like “Ekko” clothes. I don’t think they are offensive at all. I also wear a fish ring and a Godstrong rubber bracelet. I don’t see any of these things being any worse than wearing a cross necklace. Of course, I would consider all of those things to be hypocritical if the wearer did not live a Christian lifesyle.

 

[Milliardo]

I would say it depends on how the shirt is used; for instance, we have crosses or crucifixes in our homes as well as in everyday wear; our Lord is there, or symbolically there in the case of crosses. His Name is indeed holy; then it would also be true of His image, if not more. So I see it more as an issue of how one uses the shirt.

 

[lak611]

I would say it depends on how the shirt is used; for instance, we have crosses or crucifixes in our homes as well as in everyday wear; our Lord is there, or symbolically there in the case of crosses. His Name is indeed holy; then it would also be true of His image, if not more. So I see it more as an issue of how one uses the shirt.

Yes, I agree. If a shirt has a great message but is worn in an immodest way (i.e. too tight) it defeats the purpose of what the shirt says.

 

[Jaypeeto3]

There are a couple of T-Shirts I don’t like,
and unfortunately they are sold at Leaflet Missal Company.
One reads,

Jesus ROCKS.
Somehow, that rubs me the wrong way.

Another has a picture of a much younger Karol Wojtyla, dressed almost bohemian style with dark hollywood sunglasses and wearing a beret-cap, and it reads “XTREME PAPA.”

I think that trivializes the papacy, and I don’t like it.

Others, I’m sure, have different opinions.
Jaypeeto3 (aka Jaypeeto4)