Uniform Sunday: Your Character Matters
Isaiah 25:6-10a; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14
For those of us who like partying and celebrating, this is our Sunday. The imagery of food and drink, in our first and gospel readings, suggest a context of joy and celebration. In Africa, there must be dancing as well, to complete the celebration. However, from a deeper reflection, there is more than eating and drinking today. The purpose or reason for celebrating, eating and drinking, hides the meaning of food and drink. For me, this confirms what I was taught, as a little boy, that “you don’t live to eat, but eat to live”—that is, the purpose of life is more than eating and drinking. It follows that the motive for eating and drinking in our first and third readings of today hide the meaning of today’s readings—it is Uniform Sunday—the celebration of our Uniform as Christians is the reason for the drinking and eating! Christian Uniform or Uniform Sunday celebrates our victory over sin and death. Only those with God’s uniform or garment are invited to today’s party—eating and drinking.
“Uniforms” mark people out, especially their occupations or affiliations. By their uniforms, the clergy, religious, military, lawyer, service men and women, etc. are recognized. Many years of either studies or/and training qualify a person to become a doctor, lawyer, priest, religious, etc. It is after successfully completing one’s training, formation and studies that one qualifies to wear the uniform that corresponds to one’s trained and chosen profession or vocation. This reality is also true for Christians. Christians too have their uniform—their morality is their uniform. It is after many years of living out one’s faith in God, that the Christian uniform is imprinted on one’s life like a uniform.
The character of a Christian is what distinguishes him/her from other human beings. A Christian does not just announce to others who he or she is, his/her character does it. It was non-Christians who gave the first Christians the name “Christian”, because they could see the image of Christ in them (Acts 11:26). As a little elementary school boy, in rural northern Nigeria where there were many chameleons, one of the plays that delighted my friends and I was to form a circle around a chameleon. We loved seeing a chameleon shed its color and take up the green and white colors of our school uniform—a chameleon changes its color to blend with its environment. For us, it was the fact that the chameleon bore our uniform that delighted us. For you and I, God invites us today to put on his color, his uniform; not externally like a chameleon, we already have our colorful dresses for the external, God wants our inner-selves to model him, since we were created to his image and likeness—this is the human task, to be like God.
Our first reading speaks of a party to be organized by God himself. The reason for the party is to celebrate those who overcame death and the destruction of death. God will further take away the clothing or veil covering people, says our first reading. When you take away people’s clothing, they are supposed to be naked! For those who believe in God, there is an alternative article of clothing—the mantle of justice and righteousness, of which Isaiah speaks: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself, like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). God clothes us with a uniform that makes us identifiable as his children.
Correlating our first and third readings, it is our gospel that gives the reason for the party and celebration in our readings today—Uniform or Garment for entering the Kingdom of God. It is a victory celebration over sin and death, characterized by the uniform the invited guests were wearing In the Kingdom of God. Those wearing the wedding garment or uniform are those who accepted God’s invitation to enter into his Kingdom announced in today’s gospel. The lone fellow found without a uniform exemplifies those who reject God’s call and found excuses not to be present. It is the example of unpreparedness that befalls those who fail to start out early to acquire virtue, so that such a virtue becomes a character or second nature to them. If a chameleon needs time to take up the color of its environment, human beings too need time to acquire virtues.
The challenge to wear a uniform that characterizes our Christianity is not an impossible task. This is the point of the second reading. Paul affirms that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). God’s grace is ever present to assist those who are ready to sew their uniform as Christians. In fact, the call of God to each one of us is already God’s grace. The response we give to God’s invitation and call is already our first step. At baptism, this first step has been taken. It is our consistent “yes”, day in day out, that sews our uniform. Our persistent “no” sterilizes our uniform, received at baptism, and makes it unrecognizable. Even here and now, when people are divided over our character it tells us how far we have come and how far away we are from having a uniform.
As a matter of fact, there are more excuses possible today, than ever before, not to attempt to sew a uniform. Surprisingly, even participating in Sunday Mass virtually is an impossible task for many Christians, yet we are on our phones and computers all day! Sundays and times for God’s worship are the times for our meetings, sports and entertainments. Yes, procrastination is the thief of time, but we keep postponing our religious duties for the umpteen time!
Paul’s concluding prayer for the Philippians is applicable to us also, especially as we continue to sew our uniform: “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:19-20). Indeed, it is “Uniform Sunday“, get about sewing yours!
Assignment for the Week:
Make out time for daily prayers this week, especially the Eucharist and Rosary.