Tropical heat in the Philippines converts the country into a natural oven with temperatures reaching mid 30s Centigrade. Unknown to some, parts of the United States such as in Sacramento, Phoenix and Las Vegas or even New Jersey, the thermometer reaches 40s. Summer in the US means a lot of barbecue parties, swimming and malling to escape the unbearable heat.
It is a common scene in the States, Canada or England to see men in slippers or light sandals in the mall or in the street with boxer shorts, plain t-shirt, (if they are not topless) a backpack, a baseball cap and the ubiquitous cell phone or portable music player.
Ladies especially teens and young adult prowl in short shorts, slippers or beach sandals, plain t-shirt or tank, a book to read, a backpack, a cell phone or iPod. Along the river or in the beach, they are in a one-piece bathing suit or a bikini for the splash. In some places, ladies are in shorts and a bikini top even in taking the bus or sauntering in the mall.
There is nothing wrong with these accepted country norms. What is wrong and totally unacceptable is the total disrespect of the dignity and sanctity of the Eucharist when these people go to Mass with inappropriate attire like the mentioned earlier.
Before meeting dignitaries like a head of state, king, queen or even the pope, there is a prescribed dress code before an ordinary individual can shake their hands or join them in a dinner in their official residence.
What Catholics do not get or refuse to understand is one basic element of the faith that the physical Church is the house of God and the Eucharist is a meal where Christ is physically and spiritually present in the transubstantiated bread and wine to be consumed.
When formal dress is required in meeting dignitaries, why not have one in meeting the Creator inside His house?
The tepidness of faith and respect results in seeing ladies inside the Church in shorts (some are short shorts or above the knee), plain t-shirt with slippers or summer footwear. Some prefer a backless dress with spaghetti straps or a tank with low neckline. Some wear a night dress look alike, a strapless /sleeveless and others don a summer fashion exposing the cleavage.
A number of men are seen in tennis shoes, slippers or beach sandals sport an athletic shorts if not a boxer paired with a sleeveless shirt.
Gone were the years when women wear a veil (South Korean Catholics still use it.) and “decent” dress while the opposite sex with their long sleeves or barong when they go to Mass. I remember that as a young boy, on Saturday afternoons, my Mom used to remind me to prepare for my Sunday’s best attire for the following morning and not just be contented with clothing I regularly use in going downtown.
It is true that God never requires us to buy “Sunday’s best attire” in going to the Eucharist when there are more burning issues to be met. What is enough is to wear a clean, even if old, and decent dress to show respect and honor to God and never to the churchgoers. Once more the Church is not a place for socials but a place to be intimate with Christ.
I have no qualms when one in a "street" dress going to a barbecue party or to the mall before or after Mass drops in the Church for a few minute to pray but women must exercise a good judgment in their sense of modesty.
Summer is not a license to strip off the Church and the Mass the sanctity they possess and rightfully deserve or in general, all places of worship and their sacred rituals. -30-
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