Lenten Reflection for February 26th

The first account of pride causing ruin we read about in the Scriptures is in Genesis when Eve disobeyed God’s command to not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This is also the first account of modesty we find in the Bible. When Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened, they were suddenly ashamed of their nakedness. They not only sewed leaves together to hide their embarrassment and shame but also hid themselves in the garden to avoid God.

Modesty isn’t just about what we choose to wear. It’s about understanding that we have been lovingly created by God, in His image and likeness, given dignity as human persons. We can be mindful to react appropriately to whatever situation we find ourselves in and have a spirit of humility rather than pride. 

This reminds me of a quote from designer Coco Chanel, “It is always better to be slightly underdressed”. I take this quote to mean we ought to strive to be humble, as well as comport ourselves well in any circumstance.

Saint Paul reminds us of this when he wrote to the church in Corinth, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) 

Adam and Eve’s immodesty was bought with a price, the shedding of blood so God could give them skins as clothing. A first living sacrifice to pay for human sin. We too have been bought with a price of blood, we know Christ gave up himself so we can have life.As we have this Knowledge, we should act on it appropriately with the Fruit of Modesty, humbly treating those we encounter each day with grace as well as recognising ourselves as beings with the dignity God has created in us.

For our younger brothers and sisters in Christ:

In the Bible we are warned against the sin of Pride. Pride means we are choosing to act in our own ways, rather than listening to God and obeying what He wants us to do.

We read about pride in the very first book of the Bible. In Genesis, Adam and Eve disobey God by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil when He told them not to.  We read that their eyes were opened and for the first time they felt embarrassed, and made clothes for themselves out of leaves so they could dress modestly.

God was sad that they had disobeyed Him, but gave them better clothes of skins to wear. 

God loves us and created us all in His likeness, including giving us dignity as human beings. Dignity means God considers us His children and we are most worthy of His love. We show we love God in return by acting in ways which maintain that dignity. 

Saint Paul tells us that our bodies are a ‘temple of the Holy Spirit’, they are a precious gift from God for us to take care of, this even includes things like what we choose is appropriate to wear, making healthy choices of what to eat and drink, exercising, playing and so on. 

Let’s remember that all of us are ‘walking temples’, living modestly and treating each other with kindness and dignity.

God bless you!