https://www.film-shorts.tv/wpress.cfonseca160/blog/2023/01/12/a-talk-about-fashion/Friends,

Now that Christmas holiday comes to a close, for 2022/2023, I hope that everyone lived it to its fullest potential with joy and reverence! No one can extinguish your joy if God is in your Heart and on your lips.

I invite you to read: 1 Peter 2:1-2

“Seek the pure spiritual milk”. Despite one’s failings to seek the pure spiritual milk throughout the year, Christmas should be the time where we remember to do so in earnest, especially.

Did you remember that we close the celebratory season with remembrance of Christ’s teaching, of how to baptize and what that signifies for we the saved? Are you also baptized by Him? Are you “reborn”, and “walking” with Him? We can become a newer, improved, self, as we deepen our relationship with Him. It’s not an easy walk. God reminds us that through the temptations, struggles, and malice against us, He – though without sin, suffered first and suffered more greatly. When things get to be too much for us, cry out to Him for relief. He’ll take care of it for you. This past year has been a hostile one for me. But, he got me through it, and I’m still standing.

Friends, do you remember how Christ had said to the Sanhedren, [paraphrased] “You could have arrested me on many occasion, without resistance earlier too, when I was already ready. And, yet, you waited.” He was pointing out the truth that they were adding more pain to his already noble suffering.

He’s so right.. we sinners, some of us, enjoy a sadism which is always derived from evil power. Have not many of us experienced the pain and suffering inflicted by another one’s sadism? True, we often suffer from one another’s ignorance. But, many of us suffer at many times, despite another’s wisdom or full knowledge about their doings against us. That is “malice” which 1 Peter 2:1-2 references.

Friends, what if you kept shop (a store) and supplied many wonderful products to market to the world (specifically to your customers). What if you worked your hardest to make them, and they were wanted products. But, for some reasons while you willfully opened your shop at 8 am and closed it at 10 pm (arbitrary), your customers insisted on being served at 10:30 pm after you close? After, you wished to close your door(s)? Would you not be frustrated? Impatient? Irritated? You have to close your doors, and the crowd appears late. You were ready for your income, but it was withheld from you. Friends, Jesus Christ told us: that at a particular time, He closed His door. Those who were not vigilant, those who were slow, those who were mired in petty works, those who were not prepared, those who had not readied themselves, those who were in the middle of gossips, did not gain entry. Do you want to be ready for Christ? Or, do you go through life without preparation and without wait? In Jesus’ reference to the suitors in town, the women who did not have their lamp-oil, begged from others who had, only after they heard about Christ’s coming. Prior to that, they were not idle as they should have been. And, they were turned away for they did not take Him seriously. Much of the world is like those women of the old age, busy but not preparing. It’s a disjointedness, that creates chaos. True, also, an over-preparation destroys the passion and creates boredom – then and now. What to do about it?

Where does this refusal to take, when service is available, come from? Does it come from prideful demands on part of a customer? Does it come from one’s own irresponsibility and sense of entitlement? Where does the desire to confound and distract one who is ready, come from? Jealousy? Envy? Pride? Does it come from one’s fear, of giving gratification to the one who serves you? Is it a sadism, for the evil purpose? Is it manipulation? Think about these things, won’t you? Are you willing to learn about Christ, as He truly is? Sure, He has different images, like many of us do after God’s original image and design. Like a woman, who alters her hairstyle and make-up, for variety-sake, we choose how we wish to present oneself. Many are hidden away, while we are the light of Christ Jesus. many prefer to tuck us away, during our prepared times of shining-moments. The darkness does not like the light, and does everything it can to tuck away beauty. How sad that is. Sinners, meet good sources where they are, when and how they choose to be seen. Don’t batter them, and expect them to come to you smiling and pretty. Christ is the same way. He makes all things beautiful (appearance and interior). Sinners, we are at constant risk of making things ugly, if we do not have Christ with us. When he invites you in, go to Him. If, it is truly Him.

Like a good diet, we need to observe beauty around us no matter the delivery-system (I mean, TV, radio, art-work, books, sermons, holy mass, etc.). Many of us like to buy nice things. Please, go to your shop-keeper when they are willing to sell. Do not demand that they serve you, when they need their own time of rest with their own family and their God. I mean that quite literally. My job, unlike a shop-keepers job, is to close my doors as I work. Similarly, I close my doors when I’m not working; and am unavailable to you. Like Jesus, when my door is shut, I rarely open it. I’m mostly either working, or resting. That is frustrating to some who seek me.

Are you brave enough to inquire what it is that pleases Him? Are you a compromising, open-minded enough person, to meet His uncomplicated requests of you and me? Or, are you rigid, and afraid that Christ will ask too much of you? Do you make Him out to be what He is not, because you are afraid of Him? Do you feel unworthiness? Or, do you satisfy your delusions because the devil is deceiving (and you listen). Or, are you cowardly? Maybe you’re tired? Maybe you are in wait and prepared? Maybe you are dejected, like the “Cinderella”? Whatever it is, do not fear Christ.

Conversely, to those bad examples, maybe you are more Christ-like than you think that you are? Maybe, I am as well? And, if you are, how often do you find punishment from others, while you are being ignored by the cold and judgmental world that we often recognize? Despite, your expressed availability and willingness to be open to some. Oh, how frustrating it can be, to be the object of hatred. At some point, you must sleep. You cannot be an instrument of others, as though you are a puppet. No! And, you should not be seeking to control and to dominate over the free will of others! Christ does not want unwilling obedience, unlike that which the world often commands of us. Maybe you need to push back against someone who is not behaving as a Christian ought to be treating you. Friends, I do this with some degree of constancy. It is tiresome. It requires retreat, with Christ. It requires prayer, good solitude, reclining. For your sake, and for mine. We also need others, and cannot isolate. Christ’s promptings are subtle. Are you listening to His voice? God wants you to respect your own life, as much as you respect the life of others. But, you must close “your door” too. You cannot be of good service, if you are being attacked by plots against you. If people do not believe you, try to offer them proof. At some point, you must leave people behind. If you are working, how many of you turn your backs on people whom you recognize as being good? Few of us do that, right? How many of you make others out to be what they are not? How many of you are silent, when your noble friend needs defending of his character against a slander? We all deserve to have friendship. Above that, friends, and partner, come Mary and Jesus, first. With Him, comes deepening devotion to our Mother Mary, Persons of Holy Trinity (inherently), Angels, Saints.

In recent days, people have been subtly reminding me in almost an unnoticeable, synchronized, way…  that I should be thinking about fashion. Many clues were dropped, and I picked up on those clues over the course of a few weeks. I patiently waited (reclined), until after Christmas to: compose, edit, publish. And, I wondered why so much fixation on fashion, since during and after New Year’s Eve 2022/2023. I did write some emails about it. During that time, it occurred to me that fashion is something that many people think about and take very seriously. Even everyday people; not only designers. Is that an evil thing to think about? No. On the contrary. Christ has many teachings for us, with regard to fashions. Our Holy Mother – Queen Mary of the entire Universe, has at times in our history expressed her legitimate concerns about fashion-trends. It’s on many people’s minds, today as well. As I got to thinking about it, I was confronted by some lessons and my observation. Did you know that there are some fashions which offend God? God does not fuss over styles and variety. He allows us to choose. I’m sure that He finds beauty in many variety and color. He allows beauty to flourish in a whole host of ways and varieties. But, I do believe that God places good limits and does not find that the grotesque to be anything that is even remotely attractive to Him. I know that He dislikes vulgarity, in public display, when and if it should corrupt or distort the beauty of a man’s (or a woman’s) body and soul.  If some fashions that I’ve seen, offend me (even as rather liberal about western fashion, to a limit), then how much more some of those fashions might offend Him. Did you ever think about that, as your son or daughter goes out on a date? Or, as you do? Should you permit your children to go out wearing lingerie or pajamas? Do you not know how a man or woman, would be implicitly getting permission from you, thereby, to have sex with you? I’ve seen some really ugly fashions in my email inbox. I delete those, right away. Have you, ever?

While I have quite a few writings, on other topics prepared and written, I delay publication of those, putting this one first; because, people have been making me think about American fashion. Let me write a few things; and continue to tie it into Catholic teaching, as best I can today. As I work on this, my door is closed to interruption. Unlike the shop-keeper, my work hours are those in which I am expressly unavailable to you. Time and time again, there have been interruptions and intrusions from people who effort to disrupt business activity of mine. But, you can read my product on your time. Isn’t that wonderful? It’s intimate, right? You and I, connection. Via Internet!

Those of you who know me, know that I have long been a modest dresser. Does God care what I wear, when I’m unseen by others? No. He does not feel any shame or embarrassment about my “birthday suit”. Nor, yours. But, folks, we need to remind others and ourselves, that what people see in public, matters. I don’t wear fancy suit and tie, and I don’t walk around in public wearing underwear nor pajamas, either. If I make light of someones overly-serious persona, I might down-dress. A lot of you are doing that, like me, I see it. And, I approve. Despite my imperfection in appearance, and lack of some virtue by those who might judge me based on that alone, I lead people to Christ anyway. And, you can/do that as well! Good job, friends. Those who do not want to go to Christ, be certain of this: He does not push himself upon you. I don’t like pushers, anymore than you do. Pushers, come from the evil side. And, do not have very high degree of success in mission of conversion of me, to their behaviors. I’m quite skilled at aversion against those, who do. It’s a game I like to win. I have to. Christ, unlike the pushers, reaches out His hand to us. He does not “club” us over the head, nor force submission to false and harmful indoctrination. Some people require zealous speech in order to be convinced and reminded of how they ought to be; that’s fine. I do that to some who desperately need that. But, that means of convincing, for promotion of evils, is not good. For self defense? Good. For reinforcing it in others? Good. For unhealthy indoctrination? No, not good.

A flashy person chooses not to wear shorts and simple t-shirt. A poor man should not choose to project image of personal wealth, by wearing a nice suit. A vacationing beach-goer, should not wear a glamorous dress (unless in a nice locale), any more than a man should wear swimming trunks to a gala-event.

What am I getting at exactly? Well, first of all, though one’s clothing does not always mirror one’s interior character and virtue, it is an outward projection of attitude, respect (or lack thereof) for others in a setting, is a reflection of your style, but more significantly than all that: demonstrates that you have enough intelligence to know the company that you are in and that you keep in that place.

The Holy Bible conveys to us, that modest dress is a means of showing reparation (or repentance from) and countering immodest character. In simple terms that I am paraphrasing, I dress modestly in order to keep my own ego in check. Some dress modestly, because they do not care what they look like. Others might do so, because they do not have any money, or are too lazy to practice good self-care and hygiene, protest the standards of the world, or they do not care how others perceive them (not good) anymore than they do about the company that they keep (also not good). If you have a little bit of “panache” in your personality, as I do, then you might show it (or subdue it) in your attire. That creative-choice, is yours. And, God approves of it. [See https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panache]. But, men should dress in the masculine, and women in the feminine. I believe that cross-dressing is not something that Christ approves of. if He were to say otherwise, I’d be most surprised.

Do you like glamour? I do too, somewhat. Though, I reserve such attire, for most-special occasions. I generally avoid such dress, especially in presence of young people – because children need to grow up first (in the interior of their life) to later appreciate special occasions reserved for man and wife, with company of other adult couples who do the same. There are particular locations/settings, where such a privilege as that is both appropriate and good. And, there are events and occasions where well behaved children can handle dressing nicely too (with their parents keeping guard over the locale).

My conscious decision for my own dress, is: clean, simple, sporty, modest, masculine. When at Church, I dress at very least that way; and, always wearing pants – no shorts and sandals. At work-place, I am not in presence of employees. Does God care how you dress at work? He cares more that you and I DO WORK at all. But, yes, dress your part.

Friends, a man or woman elected and entrusted with a profession as important as head-of-State, in my view, requires suit and tie. Or, at minimum, tucked dress-shirt, slacks, belt, and nice shoes (if man). I don’t personally mind seeing heads-of-state in more casual clothing or war-clothes. But, it does reflect poorly on them. T-shirts are not suitable attire for a head of state (unless the country is bankrupt and cannot afford fine clothing). I jest, that many politicians should be wearing sack-cloth. Don’t you agree? If they drive us into unworthy poverty, they should be wearing sack-cloth. Baseball caps, are also not suitable for elected heads-of-State. But, in particular weathers, a rain coat/jacket, and hat, are not inappropriate. Pajamas, lingerie, mini-skirts, are among the not-suitable attires for public view – unless the expository event is some sort of fashion-show (or similar expository event shielded from children’s and minors’ view), shown and aimed at a willing-to-see adult-only audience. Please, protect our children from such exposure. And, ease them into romantic relationships of their own choosing, when they are of age. Don’t hide them away into seclusion, depression, loneliness. But, also don’t expose them to profanity in your attitude, clothing, or on your lips. I know, it’s hard to be perfect, good-example at all times. Find out and explore with your child’s interests are, watch content with them, listen to their music, watch TV (with them), and go to movies (with them).

So, am I “hung up” on attire? No. But, you can make that determination for yourself. I actually am quite liberal-minded on the issue; and for those of us who understand freedom in America, dress-code is not a mandate. But, still, friends… attire is very important in conveyance of virtue. And, virtues put to good use, through your work-place, are more important to Jesus, than even your level of skill (also important, if you want to keep your job). (Too many unskilled workers, is not good for business, nor for global competitiveness).

When you go to your workplace as an employee, if you see your boss wearing shorts and a t-shirt you’re likely not going to be able to have proper respect for his/her authority. He/she may be wiser, more skilled, a good director, and a “great boss” from interior; but, you still are not going to take that person as seriously as you ought to be taking them, if their attire is out of place. And, as a consequence you risk provoking a justified-firing, as your risk of challenging their authority increases as respect for boss be challenged. Now, Christ Jesus? He has no need for wearing a suit and tie. He’s Messiah. His love and majesty overshadows all style of clothing.

I’ve had jobs in my lifetime, which required a uniform. You probably have, also. In all of my former corporate desk-jobs, I conformed with the suitable dress code and complied with it without any objection to it. In my former pharmacy job, I had the company’s coat to wear bearing insignia and emblem of the corporation. It was similar to a golf-championship coat. Have you been in uniform?

Friends, I work from home; and am semi-retired now from many of the tasks that I used to perform very well. Many of you think I’m too young to be slowing down. You don’t understand where I’ve been and what I’ve done, if you say that. But, I still do have daily work. I am “my own boss”, serve Christ, and have no “employees”. I give counsel to persons, outside of work. And, I am a friend to some. Perhaps enemy to others. No one sees my clothing, while I work. And, when I go out, I dress cleanly, simply, somewhat fashionably, am orderly, practice good hygiene, and basically mind my own business. I speak, and I answer if spoken to or written to (generally). I wish not to be bothered by most persons whom I already do not already know well. Some whom I do know well, I am not around much, also. When I go to a nice restaurant, I show my respect by dressing more “traditionally” – formally. When I go out for fast-food, I dress casually. When I go to Holy mass, I dress appropriately – no shorts and sandals. Do you see the pattern here? Dress, according to where you are and to who might be there.

Am I perfect? No. But, I do advocate for contextually-appropriate attire. I own a few ties, I own a sports-coat, I own some dress shoes, I have classy shoes. But, there’s no need for those when I’m working at home or running errands. Right? Right.

If I were invited to a tux-only event, I’d probably turn down the invite. But, that’s me. I don’t mind putting on a tie for a funeral. I also don’t mind wearing a coat and tie to a wedding. I’ve been to many of those, as many of you probably have also.

If I ever were to run for political office (which I won’t), I’d consider it “a must” to wear a tie each day in the office and on days in front of camera. All my former work and training has consistently and faithfully remained “behind-the-camera”. Someone willing to be a head-of-State, in order to assert control of situations and govern within his/her limits, must reflect and project good power through their attire. Some of you might answer that with, “Yeah, OK… I get it… but what about the late F. Castro?” He didn’t dress like us, but was head of Cuba.” That is true, but he was a Communist. Or, you might ask, “What about other leaders who buck the trend?” Are they less legitimate, less influential, less good, or less powerful? No. But, someone who takes on that very important position, should act and  dress the part – even (and first) in their dress. If one is an Indian Chief, their customary and cultural head-dress is suitable for their religious ceremony; though they ought not walk into a particular locales, any more than I should wear my hat in Church. Similarly, Catholic Priests, nuns, clergy, must abide by proper attire in their vocation, and it is their duty, honor, and great privilege to do so. Similar, to proper attire in military command and rank, clergy have suitable attire for their command and rank, matching every liturgical celebration or mourning.

Does that mean that one’s dress defines ability to lead? No. Remember, Jesus, though our Messiah… wore very simple clothes. Not fancy hats, rings, jewelry, sashes. Many religious, (missionaries of an order, for example) do wear very modest, simple, clothing. Mother Theresa is/was one such prominently known example of that behavior. Modest dress helps one to achieve a level of simplicity which does not distract or entice one to the feelings of power and allures. Many of us, are leaders in various way and our dress does not necessarily prove that. And, if we follow Christ, we are most effective leaders in all corners of the Earth regardless. But, your boss, your priest, your pope, your teacher, should abide by those norms at the physical work-place – and they do so with the very reasons that I made mention of, about prominence, reverence, and good power.

That’s my view. Maybe you disagree with me? There is something to be said about a “breakdown” in norms for common people, when people depict not caring what others think about one’s clothing style, by their clothing choices (fashion). On dress, solely, we can get mixed messages by our observations of others. Uniforms and dress-codes, in classrooms, in particular jobs, even in recreation, when not predicated on evil-intent nor on in-proper submission to good authority, is fine. There is just-cause and a host of good reasons, for setting-appropriate attire (time and place).

And, when we go to a nice restaurant dressed well, we convey respect and gratitude for that level of public intimacy. Where we meet there with someone, we anticipate good standard and respect for our public intimacy, particularly if a married couple. Our behavior should also show that we are mature enough not to engage in physical intimacy, touching, petting; especially if those are self indulgent, expository affections, that are seen by other patrons. Has anyone ever rightly commanded to you, to: “Get a room”, if you are doing naughty things in a public place? They should say that. But, now with so many homeless people in those “rooms” and hotels, one is really quite confined into one’s own home more often than in the past.

When we Christians go to Church, dressed well, we show respect for virtues, one of which is: modesty, in our attire. We show reverence to our God. We also, in this way, do not distract others from a purpose of our presence there. Namely, to worship and receive God; and to congregate in freedom and peace among spiritual brothers and sisters of shared faith and doctrine. This is, also a reason why some women choose to wear their veil. Some of them, required to do so.

How many of us, would pay a big price to sit at a restaurant’s finest table, to have someone else waltz in – dressed poorly, push us from our seat, or sit uncomfortably close… maybe with his buddies or girl(s)… boisterous and rude, expecting to take your place and be served your plate (or your order)- “I’ll have what she’s/he’s having”? As I often do, I put an exaggeration of something, into mind, to express a point. Let’s say that he/she took everyone’s attention, as you politely sat and got ignored by staff? How would that feel? Not good, right? After all, you work hard for your money; and, here, someone in your company is making you feel small, who should be treating you as an equal. You would not go back there, would you? Maybe, you would? My point, is that context determines how you should be a part of setting. In this way, you SHOULD blend in. If you’ve heard the phrase, “When in Rome, do as the Romans.”, do not misunderstand by normalizing wrongs, rather take it to mean that we ought to observe sound customs and practices, so as not to insight, provoke, or ignite hatreds against us. Locals, always ought to determine the standards and norms. Once foreigners, to large extent, should be the ones to adapt-in to acceptable etiquette and norm.

Today, so many people consider oneself equal in every regard and privilege, to others, simply by showing up somewhere… with a sense of entitlement, for that which one has not yet attained by one’s own merit. Standards of the world, of Country, and so forth, are not evil by their nature. In fashion, and/or attitude, Is there any modesty in the kind of attitude which says, “I demand to have what you have earned? And I don’t care that you earned it, because I want what you have, anyway?” or, “I don’t care how you got what you got, I just want the same for myself?” Is there any kind of appropriate respect for fine people, for ancestors? Is there expressed shame or embarrassment, within a person who exhibits that kind of immodesty? It is true, God loves us all; but not all have attained the same seat at a table. And, not everyone will attain seat at His (Jesus’) table. His table is The most important one, and always will be. Have you ever been a guest somewhere, and been asked to move from seat, to make way for the more important guest? Embarrassing, right?

So, yes it’s true that Christ Jesus humbled Himself to be with us. Not to downgrade His importance, but rather to lower Himself to be like us. What I mean, is that He was birthed (made incarnate) through the immaculate conception (The holiest of holy place), to be first laid down in a manger. He could have chosen any place. But, He was born into the most humble of location – that where animals were. He arrived in the lowly, because man’s imperfections did not at first give him due dignity, except after the Epiphany; but, also because His glory shined through to us regardless, to be witnessed, irrespective of place according to human standard and plannings. Remember, also, that He did at many times have to hide. There were people who wanted him to be killed. He also needed time away from crowds of supporters. Would you not also hide? Yet, this is the Messiah, who deserved the most luxurious of setting and reverence. We model our systems after that. We give worldly status and privilege, to those who are like Him. But, do we really? Or have we attained back-sliding, giving prominence, fame, stature, to the least worthy? Remember, our clothing does not define our Spirit. Some of the most noble people in the world, you will never find wearing a suit or tie, or see on TV. Some of them do not live in nice houses. Some of them do not have fancy car and clothing. Some of them are tucked away in secluded, far reaches of the planet. And, with good reason. There are “wolves” in suits, and there are “Saints” clothed in tatters by comparison. Yet, if you can, dress as you ought to; and do not demean your image. Remember, where you are. Do you have the right clothes on for that place? Or, do you choose to risk being put into a lesser of place, where you may belong, because of how you dress and because of the fashions that you promote?

I leave you with this challenge: Dress for where you are. Save your finest attire, for the finest places that you can go to. Wear your beach-gear, when it’s suitable to. Wear your sexy dress, for your husband on date-nights. Wear your tie, when your wife asks you to. Save the sneakers for jogs, errands around town, sports, and the gym. When at a business- meeting, please don’t wear your sneakers. Is that so difficult? Maybe I’m just getting older, you might say… that times change? I know that the times change, and not always for the best in all regards. We can do something about that, on an individual level. You might say that when you enjoy deli-sandwiches and track-jackets (like my black and white ‘Puma’-brand), that I’m either lazy or retired. Well, since I’m not lazy… maybe it’s the latter? In part, I already told everyone that I’m semi-retired. When you work twice as hard or more, in the same time period as another, then an earlier semi-retirement might naturally be of consequence and prudence. But, even in semi-retirement I’ve been working pretty darn hard. And, that’s as it should be. Because, with every new day, comes new potential trouble, new good work, new responsibility perhaps (or old ones), and new joys too!

The clothing of a person says something, but does not prove anything about how much currency might be in his/her pocket, purse, or wallet. A fool condemns men based on their appearance only, and a wise man/woman dresses his/her part. But, social norms do change, that is true. This does confound people who look only at the exterior, without examining the interior of a person. Your clothes can change you? Don’t believe me? Someone poorly dressed, might be in deep relationship with God, God who is perfect – and dress would provide no evidence per se, as to the interior life of that person. But, dressing above a good norm, boosts one’s sense of confidence and virtues. No man/woman is perfect however; and in modesty we should admit that we are not. The Gospel advises us to be aware of our sins, not to hide from them, to acknowledge them to ourselves, in humility; and, to confess them to those whom we love and trust, if we are remorseful about those to begin with. It is actually a sin, in my Church, to confess to a Priest, in-authentically about something for which one bears no mortal-guilt. Whether you do not feel guilty about a truth, or, whether you are confessing to a false accusation coming from another person, do not do either of those 2 things.

God loves us, precisely because we are imperfect and helpless without Him. Our sinfulness, is His good leverage. If we think of oneself as “perfect”, then we are not deserving of consolation nor pardon, from another. While we do not advocate sinfulness, we have to admit that we do it. And, someone who claims himself/herself to be perfect, you should not apologize to (unless it is Christ). For a human who deludes in perfection, deludes in his own guarantee of salvation from damnation. God is perfect. He does not need our apology. But, our apology to Him when we do a wrong, makes proper reparation for our inferiority to Him, and He appreciates that reverence. It’s true of people among us. If we don’t pick a fight, we’re in much better shape. If we confess to a brother or sister who does not care about our confession, then we have made a mistake in doing so; confessing to someone who places himself or herself on too high a plane. So, humble yourself to those who are authentic; and do not allow others who are unsympathetic, to pin sins upon you which are not yours. Nor, give others opportune place to pour ridicule upon you. if someone be too easily pardoned by society, without any sincere repentance about violation within the holy Church, is someone who prefers to maintain a semblance of salvation and might talk a “good” game; but really is not going anywhere good without having paid some sort of emotional price himself/herself. One must also guard against becoming repeatedly victimized, by people, about something that God has already forgiven one for. That is what makes rumors so damaging, they are usually indefensible. And, absence of regular social-activity with friends, so as to have opportunity to explain things properly, is similarly harmful to health. Those of us aspiring to be Christ-like, do not often have our difficulties seen by others (“they did not see the ashes”). That is not entirely a bad thing, because God sees those and is with us. He will make further reparation to you. The pain and suffering that we might be going through, for the sake of others’ possible social-redeeming or welfare, is something which greatly pleases Him and which He rewards. God sees it all – including every authentic gesture of love or hate/malice. So, we should be merciful toward a humble person.

As Christ first taught us, “What we did/do to the least of His people, we’ve done to Him”. Those who reject God, are perhaps not in that grouping. God the Father has mercy and love for all people, and not all have yet come to Christ. Christ takes assaults against good Christians personally. That includes good deeds, as well as harms. He sees it all, and He is the Master of we who love Him and show it. God will give and take, as He sees fit, with the ONLY correct and exact perception far beyond mine or yours. Most, are already seriously compromised.

Sin, is with us. But, we should ask Christ for His strength. That is the first step, to anyone’s deepening of sincerity in their walk with Christ Jesus. Jesus, who truly loves, and guides most properly. Better than I, or you. There’s hope. As we get to know Him better, we can begin to make fairly-good value-judgments, in His service, now already. That is because His teachings are so clear, that many of us do make correct judgments about others. When we speak of “experience”, it should mean that we have developed a sense of recognition and understanding. Quick or slow, does not matter. What matters, is precision. Our sufferings can be achieved in secret; that no other human witness – and for self-betterment/refinement. Real repentance, can take months (or even years) if it should have any value to it. Real repentance, is not “drive-thru” “take-out” absolution. Though, the confessional in the Church is a spiritual reality. Similarly, it can require many years, for a man and woman, to prepare the way for a new life, in an act which only require a few short minutes to seed. Think about that awesome power. For the sake of the world, confess your sins to those whom you trust. And, conceal them from those whom you choose not to trust. A wise man confesses his sins to someone who is understanding, merciful, attentive in attention, and trustworthy. A fool, confesses his sins to the “wolves”.