Moment of Meditation: Modest Women (1 Timothy 2:9)

Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel,
with modesty and self-control,
not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire
(1 Timothy 2:9)

Modest Women

Now, we get into controversial territory. St. Paul has been taken to task for his words concerning women in the Church for the last century.

When we come to the issue of a woman's role in the Church, many have different interpretations. Many see Paul as being a chauvanist. But the Holy Spirit, through Paul, is trying to break the mold that had been set up among the pagans. Look at all the pagan religions of the ancient world. They had gods and goddesses, but women were still demeaned as little more than property and playthings. Women had great roles in the worship of these gods but only as sex objects to be exploited.

God wanted the women who truly believed in Him not to feel exploited. He wanted to protect them as any father wishes to protect his daughter. God calls for women to adorn themselves modestly so they will not invite exploitation. Not that women are responsible for what men say, do or think about them. But God wants us to live lives of holiness, not giving the opportunity for sin. Being modest, we're reminded of the modesty Christ had when He came down and humbled Himself to become like us, refusing to use His divine power and becoming as helpless as us so that He might save us. Amen.