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March 21, 2010 - The Pastor Who Bares It All

by Father Edward L. Beck, C.P.

What do you think you'd do if you showed up at church or temple and your priest, minister or rabbi greeted you stark naked. And then you went in and all your fellow parishioners were in their birthday suits too. Well, that’s what happens at a chapel in Ivor, Virginia. It’s part of the White Tail Nudist Resort and the pastor and congregants are unabashedly naked as jay birds. Coming to praise the Lord not in their Sunday best, but in nothing at all. The Pastor claims that God doesn’t care what you wear, and that we should remember that Jesus was naked at the most important times in his life. When he was born, crucified, and rose from the dead. Not a tunic in sight. Well, that may be true, but I still don't get it. The fact is that when Jesus was in the Temple preaching, he had clothes on, and so did those listening to him. Now I’m no prude when it comes to our bodies, but I hardly think the altar or the pulpit is the appropriate place to let it all hang out. And I certainly don’t want to be looking out at a sea of distracted faces and a lot more than that distracting me when I’m trying to give a homily about loving your neighbor as yourself. I mean it could get awkward if people take me a bit too literally. Now I do like the idea that all socio-economic distinctions are obliterated when clothes are too, but I think there are other more appropriate ways to break down barriers. Remember, in the Gospel Jesus says that if you have two coats and your neighbor has none, to give him one of yours. Not for both of you to ditch your coats, and pants and underwear and everything else for that matter. No, I’m going to stick with the colorful church vestments we wear. They cover a multitude of sins. And maybe keep us from sinning as well.

To watch Father Beck give the above Reflection, click here.