Modesty – More Than How We Dress

“Modesty is more than just a hemline, it is an interior disposition that influences not only our dress, but our thoughts an actions.”

-Leah Darrow
 
As a Catholic millennial woman I would like to offer a take on modesty, not to cast judgment on other women or to spark a religious debate, but to speak to my sisters in Christ about our feminine beauty; that which enhances our human dignity as designed by our Creator.
 
Modesty is that which in our way of dress, speech, and actions does not bring negative attention to ourselves, and this has been the practice of modesty throughout the world. There are different standards of modesty, which depends on the culture that we find ourselves in within a society, and the culture has also changed over time along with the standards of modesty. But we are called as daughters of the King to dress and behave in such a way that His glory shines through us, so that we can be a witness of Christ in the world. We do not want to bring lustful attention to ourselves, which does not give us the respect that we deserve as a human person.
 
However, we should not look down upon other women who may not demonstrate modesty according to our definition of modesty. Behind every woman there is a story, and we cannot judge the modesty within her heart.  We all know the old saying, “Do not judge a book by it’s cover.” This kind of judgment is not an act of love, but one of spiritual pride. Modesty in dress means nothing if we have an immodest heart; that which looks down upon our fellow sisters in Christ.
 

“For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

-1 Corinthians 6:20

 

It is often difficult to find an outfit that displays our feminine beauty and brings reverence to the Lord. A shopping experience to find modest clothing can become filled with frustration and can take hours still leaving us empty handed. I have found online shopping to be more successful, and have discovered fashionable clothing that is not too expensive, and is more of a simple style of dress; not elaborate and gaudy calling for all eyes to be on me. I choose to dress in a way that does not turn myself into an “idol,” that which can shift away focus from the things of Heaven. Our eyes should always gaze towards the Son. Let us  dress in such a way that makes the statement, “I am a beloved daughter of God.”

Photo: Ben White, Unsplash / PD-US

 
 
 
Christina M. Sorrentino

Christina M. Sorrentino

Christina M. Sorrentino is the Editor-in-Chief at Ignitum Today, and a regular contributor to Word on Fire. She is also a co-leader for a Maria Goretti Network Chapter, the facilitator of a Vianney Cenacle affiiated with the Foundation of Prayer for Priests, and teaches religion at a local Catholic high school. Sorrentino has contributed to various publications, including Missio Dei and Homiletic and Pastoral Review, has appeared on Sacred Heart Radio, and has been featured in the National Catholic Register’s “Best in Catholic Blogging”. She is the published author of Called to Love A Listening Heart - A Book of Catholic Poetry. She is a devout Catholic who resides in Staten Island, New York, and you can visit her website at Called to Love - A Listening Heart, where she writes about the musings of a millennial Catholic called to love, or follow her on Twitter.

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