My father-in-law wears a tie to church every Sunday, he told me once he wears a tie so that another man, Julius, won’t be the only one in a tie. Being a Sunday School teacher and Elder may have something to do with his wearing a tie. He thinks it proper church attire. My dad also an elder in another church tends to dress his best on Sundays. They will both say it’s a part of preparing for worship.
Me I wear blue jeans, button up shirt (vs Polo), tennis shoes, and of course white tube socks. I like new tube socks; thick and soft. White ones so there is no doubt if you have found a clean pair. You don’t need smell them to know, if they look dirty they are, it is pretty simple.
I was reminded the other day of the Priests of the Old Testament and how extensively they prepared for worship, clean and in proper attire. The thought continued last night as I was taking a shower and was reminded of how in some cultures still today cleanliness and bathing are a part of preparing for worship. Then my mind turned to my Catholic brothers and sisters who have been preparing for Easter for some weeks. You know they got the whole, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent thing, which I am not qualified to write about. However, I do really like the idea of purposeful and deliberate preparation for worship.
This coming Thursday is Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday and it commemorates the Last Supper, the time Jesus spent with the disciples just before his crucifixion. The church I attend, as do many others, will commemorate this day with a foot washing service in remembrance of Christ washing the disciple’s feet. On that occasion it is recorded that Jesus said about washing feet “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
I have tried to tell my father- in- law Jesus doesn’t care about his neck and its adornment, it is the feet that are important. White socks prove you have clean feet. Jesus would have passed out white tube socks after he washed the feet of the disciples, but socks with sandals even back then they knew better.
As I dress for Easter worship this year I will be more thoughtful, more deliberate in my preparation. I am still not going to wear a tie. I will pay special attention to my feet, yes, they will be physically clean. And as I put on my new white tube socks I will remind myself of Christ’s work for me and in me. I will be ready to worship.
Besides don’t white socks go with white robes?
David
