Shrinking the Papal Monarchy

First of all, the papal ceremonial vestments are a kind of uniform of office, not a personal fashion statement. They express the dignity of serving God's Majesty --- if courtiers in some dinky earthly royal court wear a certain finery, how much more so for being in God's presence?

(That's BTW, something we could all keep in mind. I'm thinking of teens in the Communion line wearing flip-flops and shorts. Don't know whether to GGrrr or Sigh.)

So the ermine-trimmed capes and robes and so forth are the uniform of office, just like a Marine wearing his Dress Blues.

Second, almost all these things are gifts. I rememeber reading about the shoemaker, Adriano Stefanelli (you could google that!) talking about the satisfaction it gave him to design and craft shoes to be worn by the pope as he presides over the worship of God.

Anything with lace, braid, embroidery or brocade on it iss usually made by nuns .It used to be that people thought it fitting to give their very best, their master-work, to God.

That has Biblical precedent. There are pages and pages in Leviticus having to do with the elaborate design of priestly clothing as well as the vessels used in the Temple.

And in the NT there's the episode where the penitent woman takes an entire alabaster jar of aromatic nard and uses it to wash Jesus' feet. There were objectors about the expense, of course. You'll remember who.

"And in the NT there's the episode where the penitent woman takes an entire alabaster jar of aromatic nard and uses it to wash Jesus' feet. There were objectors about the expense, of course. You'll remember who."

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The very first word that comes to mind every time one of these misguided detractors (but potential future Catholics) starts whining about a Pope wearing high-quality donated ceremonial vestments (in order to do his best to give Glory and Honor and Praise to God), is that same one word you so ably point out there in your post: JUDAS!

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” John 12:4-5

Jesus then strongly rebuked Judas for saying that.

In support of our honest hope that these current Catholic bashers will genuinely come to "see the light", and eventually become part of the Catholic family themselves, perhaps the following Bible text will be helpful, as we patiently wait for their eyes to be opened:

"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light." Matthew 4:16

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