When our children were little, they often had the opportunity to “help” in the kitchen preparing meals or baking desserts. Kitchen activity involved specialized tools and appropriate clothing. The children put on aprons to shield from whatever ingredients were at hand. It could be a bit of an adventure. The apron was part of the job, a way of “getting into” the joy. We dress for the work to which we have committed ourselves. In a sense, we “put on” the task.
Families know how quickly children outgrow clothing. Sleeves shrink up from the wrist, and pant legs lift from the ankles. We were blessed to be part of an informal network of generous friends and family for “handing down” clothing, perfectly wearable but outgrown. We gave away as much as possible and gratefully welcomed other families’ offers of “hand-me-downs.” In a community, we share what we value.
I remember from childhood that my father had to wear a white dress shirt and tie for work. I can remember the laundry truck coming weekly to pick up worn shirts and then a few days later returning a neatly wrapped brown paper package containing crisply pressed, starched, white-bright shirts. Tightly folded to a cardboard insert with light blue paper tape, the shirts always appeared new. My dad “put on” the work that provided for us – to which he was committed.
In light of Pentecost, we reflect on how the early community of believers experienced the Holy Spirit who “ …came to rest on each one of them.” (Acts 2:3)
We might be mindful of how we experience the Spirit of Christ who comes “to rest” on us, to fill us with new life – a more generous love, an expansive justice, a pervasive peace – our work in the world. The Spirit enlivens our faith, and we “clothe” ourselves with His Life dwelling within us. By how we live, the witness we give, in these ways, we “dress” for the work to which we are committed.
In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul encouraged the community to “ … put on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 13:14)
Let our family prayer for Pentecost be in the Spirit of the prophet’s words:
“I will rejoice heartily in the LORD,
my being exults in my God;
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation,
and wrapped me in a robe of justice…”
(Isaiah 61:10)