After addressing modesty and modest dress for women, Jackie and Bobby figured they should probably cover modesty for men as well. Yes, there is such a thing. Modesty is a virtue and a fruit of the holy spirit, not simply a style for women. For men, flaunting wealth or health can become immodest because it directs people to attributes a man has rather than who he is as a person. It essentially says “I am my money,” or “I am my abs.”
When men try to bring attention to things they have, rather than who they are, they are exhibiting animal-like behavior. Peacocks do the same thing with their feathers to attract females. Men may also flaunt their positive attributes to gain the respect of other men, and that is just as immodest as doing it to attract women.
The Catechism states:
“The forms taken by modesty vary from one culture to another. Everywhere, however, modesty exists as an intuition of the spiritual dignity proper to man. It is born with the awakening consciousness of being a subject. Teaching modesty to children and adolescents means awakening in them respect for the human person.”
CCC 2524
Modesty is seeing another person as a subject and not an object. Men, you can never blame a woman for what’s going on in your heart. No matter how immodestly she is dressed, even if she is naked, you are called to see her as a subject. Women, no matter how rich a man is or how perfect his abs are, or no matter what positive attribute you admire in him, you are called to see him as a full person and not the sum of his parts.
If you struggle with immodesty, pray that God purifies your heart with grace and mercy. The beauty and goodness he will reveal will outshine the lust and superficial desires that immodesty causes.
More videos on modesty:
Meet Jackie and Bobby Angel
Jackie Francois Angel is a full-time worship leader and speaker. Bobby Angel is a campus minister and theology teacher at a Catholic high school. Married in 2013, they have three beautiful children and strive to grow in holiness each day!