Create a peaceful space to pause, and allow yourself to feel God’s presence alongside you, as near to you as your own breath. In following the reflection below, as a church we will draw closer to God and to one another as we grow in faith and deepen our sense of belonging to God.
Matthew 25: 38-40 ‘Clothing with Compassion’
38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40 And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
Mark 5:25, 27
25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak…
Colossians 3:12
12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Clothes are important for us, for they often say something about who we are and what we are doing at any particular moment. Over the last fifteen months our habits have changed as we have ventured out to school, work or socialise less, so the sale of casual or nightwear has soared, at the expense of formal wear. Wealth and decency all play their part, as with Adam and Eve in the garden. Gone are the days when many were expected to wear best suits and hats to church, but a job interviewee is expected to come looking understandably smart.
There are many folk in biblical times, from John the Baptist in his clothes of camel hair and leather belt, and those in long flowing robes to keep cool. Material and texture depended on wealth. Peasants wore loincloth and/or a tunic cloak. Men wore white and the women more colourful, again according to means. Biblical references vary from Joseph’s coat of many colours, depicting the light of God, to the psalmist who said that the Lord is King, clothed with majesty and strength. Isaiah said that Jerusalem rejoiced because of what God has done, like a bride dressed for a wedding: God has clothed her with salvation and victory. Paul’s letter to the Colossians is quoted above, we are to put on God’s character, so we are a new person, as new clothes replacing the worn out and weary. Matthew’s gospel is part of a longer discourse with Jesus.
So, clothing and being clothed is the same and special. The woman quoted above, who was sure that if only she could touch Jesus’ clothes, she would be well. We have to be comfortable, but we have to be reminded that as clothing has to be changed and renewed, we should allow God to change us, not only outwardly, but also within our hearts and minds to show our faith, nature and commitment for our Lord.
Prayer:
O Lord, I pray that I may be open to be renewed within my heart,
so that I reflect your love with those I meet today and always.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Reflection and Prayer © 2021 Matthew Earl.
Images freely available online.
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All material within this order of worship is reproduced by permission under CCL 1226356