Don't dress like the poverty of the beggar

Someone showing up in gym shorts and a t-shirt to everything is not living poverty - he's living sloth. Does he not have the time to dress like an adult? Does he not have the means to dress with dignity and actually prepare for how he presents himself? We wouldn't show up to meet royalty in gym shorts, so why do we slob it for the rest of society? Do we think them not worth the time? Maybe dressing with the simple dignity of a coat and tie would put some off, but eventually they'll get use to it and even appreciate it. I've had two older men pull me aside recently and thank me for the respect I show by wearing a coat and tie. By the way, coat and tie does not mean "dressed up", but that's another post.

A beggar who sees a man dressed like him talking to him might be delighted, but the man in the suit who talks to him and shows him respect lifts his dignity (not in reality, but in the beggars perception). He tells him that his clothes don't raise his dignity any more than the beggar's clothes lower his. Picture a beggar that assumes a man in a suit will pass him by. He's going to ignore him because he has means and maybe he'll toss a few coins. But what if that man stopped and talked with him? There's some worthy reflection in that. (Yes, I know clothes don't make the man, that's the point. But if both were naked the story would change drastically... so they mean something)

Personal presentation matters and can help lift society. Of course, the right understanding and intention is important.

Mother Teresa said, We would never dream of using dirty, torn clothes as a tabernacle veil which covers the door of the dwelling Christ chose for Himself on earth since He ascended into heave." She goes on to point out that we shouldn't cover our body in dirty worn out clothes if we believe it to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. This woman understood poverty, and she encouraged us to mend out clothes well, dress with dignity and dress well. This is right and fitting. Mother Teresa said our poverty is that of Christ's, not the beggar.

If you're looking for a first step. Here it is:

Get a blazer, tie and shirt that fit. We'll get a post up about fit, but you can google that for now. (This assumes you have some khakis too... please have some khakis if you're older than 7.) Then, wear this to Holy Mass. In fact, I don't care if you're in the Keys, commit to wearing your best for Holy Mass. Do you dress up for weddings? Well...