fashioning a Christian ethic of clothing
As a scholar of literature, I find rich meaning in Mary's engagement with her Book, but I can't help mourn the disappearance of the spindle. While Mary's reading calls our minds to the invisible work of the Spirit as we hear the Word, her spindle affirms that the Incarnation transforms the daily work of our hands into worship -- work with eternal consequences.
The first parable recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke is that of the new patch on the old garment. I was surprised to see that it was first, but it makes sense: Jesus takes a situation perfectly familiar to his audience--the need to mend a worn garment--and uses it to reveal something mysterious about the kingdom of heaven.
The beauty of the veil is the promise, teaching us to love what lies beneath.
The work of our heads, hearts, and hands can become lamps we hold aloft for Christ, lighting our way to the feast He will call--at any moment--for us to join.
Although the image of the "Proverbs 31 woman" has been tarnished by narrow exegesis and mediocre women's conferences, it remains a powerful and challenging picture of a productive, joyful, generous life.
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. Jonah… Continue reading Texts & Textiles: The Prophet Jonah
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together… Continue reading Texts & Textiles: The Apostle Paul
As promised in my last post, I've prepared a series of discussion questions for families and church groups on "redefining modesty."
Throughout the Scriptures, God ordains significant material and metaphorical uses for textiles and clothing. Our own textiles should, likewise, participate in God’s story, turning our hearts and mind toward God’s eternal love for his creatures.
