Garment of Holiness

What we wear on the exterior often reflects who we are in the interior. Our clothes show forth our personality, at least in some ways. We often wear our favorite colors, or create a particular style and "look." They help us share with others a piece of ourselves.

It's the same in the spiritual life. I heard the phrase recently of "garment of holiness" either reading in Scripture or maybe in a sermon. It's similar to the term "clothed in virtue." Why do these phrases depict sanctity as something we wear? Why is there a passage in Scripture about a "wedding garment?"

The idea of "completeness" is coming to mind. We are incomplete without our style. Another thought is that virtue goes outward. When you meet holy people, it seems as if grace exudes from them. They can't keep it to themselves--it shines through their eyes and their smile.

Virtue is adorning, like clothes or jewels. We are "putting on Christ." Holiness is to be Christ-like, to be clothed with His grace, to be ready to meet Him. There is a certain readiness about being dressed to a tee, we are prepared to meet someone special, to be present at something out of the ordinary.

We find this "look" by imitation of the saints who have gone before us, but at the same time by making holiness our own. The uniqueness of the saints, who were anything but cookie-cutter, prove that we retain our identity, but it is raised to glory by seeking to obtain the garment of holiness.