Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” ~ John 20:21-23
Despite the recent controversy, we celebrated Read Across America Week at Dakota Prairie this month by dressing up each day to correspond with one of Dr. Seuss’s books. One theme was Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and future career day. As you can see below, I couldn’t resist the chance to play the part of pastor for a day.
Although in practical terms this attire isn’t much different than the dress shirt and tie I usually wear, it was quite a different experience putting on a clerical collar. This “uniform” of sorts represents a sacred vocation reserved for those who have been properly called and trained to act as representatives of Christ in His Church. Whereas in most occupations we are primarily concerned about the qualifications or expertise of the individual, with pastors, it is the authority of the office he holds that is of vital importance. When a pastor does his most essential work - namely, forgiving sins - he is not acting on his own behalf. Rather, he is carrying out the very command of our Lord.
We rightly expect our church leaders to demonstrate great piety, but of course every human is always a sinner. The special clothing worn by clergy for hundreds of years is not a vain attempt to conceal one’s personal faults, but it can act as a visual reminder that the blessings he imparts are not from him but from the Father through him. I pray that every day I put on my collar, I will be reminded of my own sins and the full forgiveness of those sins which will make me all the more eager to proclaim that forgiveness to others.
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