saint Paul speaks to me and the Colossians

"As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with

compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience."

I ponder what Saint Paul means by "clothe yourselves."  I'm guessing he doesn't mean be compassionate, kind, humble, meek and patient when it is convenient or strictly to people who don't share the same home with you.  I'm thinking he means more along the lines of  "clothe yourselves" in a sort of clothed way.  Like all over, like cover yourself with these things.  Like have this be your outer bearing.

Even if you don't feel like it.  

Nothing particularly theological or metaphorical going down here.  When I say to my kids (and I do about thirty times a day) "clothe yourselves with kindness to your siblings,"  I actually mean it.  What I mean is, when I say "clothe yourselves with kindness to your siblings" in those exact words, not ever yelling or even gritting my teeth, what I mean is:

It doesn't really matter how you FEEL, speak and act with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.  If you don't feel that way, act that way and it will make you feel more compassionate, kind, humble, meek and patient.  

Fair to say, here, it isn't always effective.  Sometimes a lot they don't clothe themselves in such manner as Saint Paul and I suggest.

But on close scrutiny, I noticed that Saint Paul actually prefaces his comment to Yourselves with:

"As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved..."

Paul, master of relationships that he was.  See what he is doing here, folks?   He is priming the relationship.  Prime the relationship, establish the connection, build the other up in love.  Then lay out clearly what must be done.

You slay me once again,  Saint Paul.

Feb. 15 2014