I agree and wish that people would dress accordingly. However, I have come to realize that not everyone who attends Mass can afford "nice" clothes. Sweat pants may be the only thing that person can afford or has to wear.

Just as Jesus was poor and probably didn't have expensive clothes, so too we must not judge. Jesus was more concerned with our heart than outward appearances. I know there were many rules to follow and certain dress codes; however those rules no longer exist for Christians that Jewish people still may follow.

So, for myself, instead of judging others, I am very glad that the people come to Mass. Too many people who should come to Mass don't and that is what saddens and bothers me -- not what people wear.

Claire--

To a certain extent, you are indeed right. There are poor people who do not have expensive clothes to wear to Mass and so we should try not to judge but to give everyone every benefit of the doubt.

That said, in my experience, truly poor people may have inexpensive clothing, but they do their best to look nice with the clothing they have. Jeans may be worn, but they're not dirty or "fashionably holey" or immodestly "low-riding." They may wear sneakers, but the shoes are as clean as possible. Dresses may not be "in style" but are neat and modest. In other words, the truly poor often try hard within the limitations they have to "dress up" for church and honor God and the sacred occasion.

Your average middle-class American Catholic, on the other hand, figures he has more important things to do on Sunday, such as sleep late or go to the beach or a ball game after Mass. So he has no qualms showing up in sweat pants that double as pajama bottoms, flip-flops, a ratty T-shirt, or his "team colors." Or young girls, whose parents have given up on the modesty fight, show up in miniskirts, spiked heels, and spaghetti-strapped camisoles that double as lingerie.

It is to the apathetic, not to the poor, that those concerned about dress standards in church say, "Show some respect!" And the respect to be shown does not require money but common sense.

Michelle Arnold
Catholic Answers

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