Matt 23:1-15
23:1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'
8 "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
13 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
15 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
(from New International Version)
Matt 23:23-28
23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
25 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
(from New International Version)
"You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."
street preacher-Are you saying that because I attempt to look nice and show respect to the Lord by being clean that I am somehow unworthy? I'm not saying that someone not dressed appropriatly should be kicked out, either. And by appropriately, I do not mean spend all your money on high fashion and flaunt it. Not every aspect of life is found in the Bible. Traditions are also an important part of my life. We do special things as a family at Christmas and other holidays. Not because they are in the Bible but because our family enjoys those moments and we want to pass on the lessons learned to our kids. It's the same for how I dress myself and my kids when we go to a nice restaurant, to church, to a wedding/funeral, etc. Some occasions call for not wearing your play clothes or relaxed everyday duds. I don't dress nicely because I think someone is looking at me. I dress that way because I respect the solemnity of the Mass or occasion for which I attend.
Chena-I also live simply. I shop as little as possible. I don't work or shop, etc. on Sundays. I'm not into material things for my house, etc. For me, less is more. I donate gently used clothes and often buy clothes on sale with shelters, etc. in mind. I also tend my own garden and am teaching my children how to use and celebrate God's natural gifts to us. Despite our disagreements on what we wear to church, I think you and I would have a lot in common. Let's just agree to disagree.