“All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)
Why do so many department stores display their clothing on mannequins? Because clothes look so much better on a mannequin than draped over a hanger. Mannequins of sizes and shapes make the same dress look different, as do a variety of accessories like a bright scarf or a bold piece of jewelry. The mannequins help shoppers release their imagination as they picture that same piece of clothing on themselves.
As part of our baptismal rite, we were all given a white garment to wear—a robe or a stole that signifies the fact that we have “put on Christ” (Romans 13:14). But that doesn’t mean that we will all look exactly alike. Jesus’ love is embodied differently in each of us because we are all unique creations of his love. Under that white garment, we retain our gender, our age, our life experiences, our outlook.
Now unlike the dress in the store, this white garment actually alters our shape. It doesn’t just cover us up; it transforms us. Every unique feature in our personality is affected by the presence of Christ. If we have a generous disposition, that generosity is directed toward the poor and needy. If we have a stubborn disposition, the garment of Christ helps us become tenacious in our pursuit of holiness. It smooths out our rough edges and makes our bright areas shine with even greater intensity.
St. Paul tells us that before Christ came, we were “held in custody” under the Law of Moses and “confined for the faith that was to be revealed.” He likened the Law to a “disciplinarian” that regulated our every step and relegated us to the role of strict obedience (Galatians 3:23, 24). But now that Christ has come, the binding restrictions of the Law have given way to the dignified clothing of faith. We are now free to wear our baptismal garment according to our own gifts and callings. We are now free to show forth the glory of the Lord not by virtue of our conformity to one set pattern but as our very natures are filled, enlightened, and lifted up by the Spirit.
So how will you wear your garment today?
“Jesus, thank you for clothing me in your freedom and love.”
Psalm 105:2-7; Luke 11:27-28