I’d just like to add in my $0.02 about this discussion.
First off, I understand the point that context and culture has much to do with attire. Arguing that it’s acceptable to walk down Pennslvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. topless because a devout Christian woman in the jungles of Africa does would be absurd, right? It’s likewise absurd to imitate a toddler protesting a nap, stamping your feet, waving your arms and in between yawns wailing “I’m not tired!” just because the concept in question apparently terrifies you in some regard (this is directed at several posters, none of which is the OP).
When you boil down the culture and lifestyle in question to it’s basic components, you end up with the following:
- Avoiding vanity and the “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality
- Striving to honor God in all you do and submitting to His Will
- Providing a loving home atmosphere for your family
- Living a simple life, rather than an extravagant one
- Making use of some of the best the world has to offer (modern medicine, including chemotherapy and whatnot)
- Avoiding that which is considered immodest
- Acting as good stewards of this planet and not abusing it
- Living in accordance with what the bishop decides
Where in that exactly is something that screams anti-Catholic scary stuff that we ought to bash? Frankly, without all the particulars of sleeve length and profession and where you are located, etc. isn’t that EXACTLY how we as Catholics are supposed to live? The last point in particular is essential to being Catholic, as it means we are to live lives faithful to that which our Bishop, the Holy Father, decides.
Also, consider what follows the scripture readings in Mass. What is said is, “The Word of the Lord.”
Once more, and feel free to say it with me, “The Word of the Lord.”
NOT, “The Word of the Lord, as it applied to the time and place it was written. Feel free to discard whatever portions you see fit, as we’re two-thousand years removed and times have changed.”
What was written is what the Church was founded upon, and to pick and choose what portions, if any, of the Word you wish to listen to is sheer and utter nonsense. If that’s your faith and what you believe, then there are a thousand or more other denominations out there that’d probably love to have you. Our Catholic faith has been handed down directly from the Son of God Almighty Himself - WHO ARE WE to think we know better??? Who are we to declare the commandments, the teachings of Christ and the writings of St. Paul “out of touch” and “old-fashioned”??? NO!
Having said that, though, the ways in which God calls us to Him are as numerous as the stars. Yes, some of us are called to bloom where we’re planted, some are called to the priesthood and religious, some to the sacrament of matrimony, some to simple, plain lives in the country. But we are all called! He calls us all to Him in some way. And we being the imperfect, disobedient children we are either choose to listen to His call or not, but that doesn’t make it go away just because we don’t want to hear His voice!
To the naysayers - You can no more discount God’s Will for someone else than I can. It is not our place in this life to tear down those who feel the pull to a vocation, to tell them in essence they’ve lost their minds. On the other hand, it’s not my place, nor anyone other persons, to judge you. But before you do such things, be sure you understand who and what you are speaking for and why, as the temptations to sin can be oh so subtle and come from the best of intentions.
To the OP - If the Lord calls you to live in voluntary simplicity, then you must choose whether or not you want to listen to His call. However, I can say from personal experience, that if He truly wills this for you, avoiding it, running from it, ignoring it and so on will only lead to misery as He WILL wear you down. It is never, ever easy to follow Christ, as we are told it will be a cross to us and we will be persecuted for it. But it is much, much harder to deny the Will of the Father!
May God, our ever-patient and ever-loving Father Bless us all and be merciful, as none of us are fit to stand in His awesome presence.
