Why modesty?

Pope Benedict XV has taught very clearly about modesty in an encyclical letter (Sacra Propediem, 1921), commemorating the 7th centenary of the founding of the Franciscan Third Order.

"One can not sufficiently deplore the blindness of so many women of every age and station. Made foolish by a desire to please, they do not see to what degree the indecency of their clothing shocks every honest man and offends God. Most of them would formerly have blushed for such apparel as for a grave fault against Christian modesty. Now it does not suffice to exhibit themselves on public thoroughfares; they do not fear to cross the threshold of churches, to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and even to bear the seducing food of shameful passions to the Eucharistic Table, where one receives the Heavenly Author of Purity."

 "women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing" 1 Timothy 2:9.


When talking about modesty, it doesn't necessarily mean dresses. If that were the case a couple of weeks ago when at my son's high school ring day, all the young girls with short skirts and super high heels would be considered modest and the young girls who were in nice slacks would be immodest.

Dresses are feminine, dresses can definitely be a sign of modesty. Nice slacks can be modest also.Tight fitting jeans, though are immodest.

We women have a very hard time with body image. Even young girls do, which is why most dress as they do. They are seeking out affirmation. Problem is, it is the wrong kind of affirmation. It is an affirmation that causes her brothers in Christ to fall into sin, to encourage other women to dress immodest and it is a sense of pride, believing that she made her self as she is and that she will always be that way. 

As a Christian woman grows in Christ she learns that her value is not in the shape of her body, her makeup or how she looks.  Her value is in the Lord. He value comes because she was created in the image of God and loved so much by Him that He sent His son to die for her. When realizing how much she is valued and loved by the Lord she will dress for Him.  Modesty is about love and honor, the love and honor we have for God and our neighbor and ourselves.

Modesty promotes marriage and encourage the marriages around us instead of contributing to tearing them down.

Modesty also promotes friendship, the friendship between women and the friendship between women and men.  Dressing immodest in front of another person's husband or son can cause the wife and mother great distress. Men, also have voiced great upset because of the immodest women and young girls that tempt them into sin.
 Let's encourage women in their honoring of the Lord by the way we dress.

Diane Ruth