What to wear... What am I going to wear today? I rummage through the closet once again, hoping to find something that will spark my imagination. Short sleeves? Long sleeves? Do I need to throw on a sweater? And why is it that what I want to wear is always in the dirty clothes basket? How we dress and what we wear impacts how we feel about ourselves. There seems to be an air of truth in the saying: “clothes make the man." Paul, writing to the church in Galatia says that "everyone who has been baptized into Christ has clothed themselves with Christ." Paul says something similar in Colossians when he tells us to put off the old way of living and put on the new. Imagine for just a moment what it would look like if you were to actually wear Christ like a fancy suit or dress. Perhaps it feels a little big, like playing dress up with our parents' clothes. Maybe we walk past the mirror and are surprised because we don't recognize ourselves. Some of us might even feel a little bit like imposters... afraid that we will be discovered at any moment. I don't think Paul is just using a figure of speech. I really think he intends for us to dress ourselves with Jesus…the life he gives us. To trade in the sackcloth of fasting and lament and put on the garments of righteousness and praise. To wear humility like your favorite T-shirt and to pull on forgiveness like your comfy jeans. And don’t forget to throw on love like an oversized sweatshirt! Some of these clothes we will have to grow into. But what a delight it is when we realize how well they fit. So what are you wearing today? Blessings,
Matthew+ O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 230) | 
