Fr. Simon delivered a moving and surprisingly funny history lesson about women veiling in church, and it’s more than just “church fashion advice from the 1st century.”
🏛 The Backstory: Corinth Was Basically Las Vegas… But Worse
Corinth = immoral city. “To act like a Corinthian” meant being wildly immoral… and that was by pagan standards.
This is where Paul is writing to a tiny, scrappy Christian community trying to live out the Gospel… in the middle of the ancient Sin City.
👩🦰 “Put the Veils Back On, Girls” Not a Power Move, But a Heart Move
Women usually veiled back then. It was normal, respectful, and culturally appropriate.
Early Christian women, excited about their freedom in Christ, began not to veil at Mass.
St. Paul invited women to reconsider. In so many words, he said: “Ladies, we’re not trying to start another scandalous group. Let’s keep things respectful. You’re beautiful, but don’t distract people from Jesus!”
Headship
St. Paul’s verse about “the head of woman is man” is not about domination.
Fr. Simon flips the script: “Headship means service.“
Jesus, the ultimate “head,” washed feet.
Being “the head” isn’t about being the “boss”; it’s being the one who draws the bubble bath and protects the heart.
So, the “man is the head” doesn’t mean harsh authoritative command, it means lay-your-life-down love.
👼 Even the Angels Are Distracted?!
Yes, 1 Corinthians 11:10 talks about women covering their heads “because of the angels.”
Fr. Simon says: angels attend the Mass, and the early Church believed that the beauty of a woman could distract even them.
👑 The Real Message
Woman isn’t “less than” man. She’s his glory, his Sabbath rest, created not from dirt, but from his side. She’s his heart protector, his civilizer.
Women don’t veil to hide their value; they veil to honor it. It’s a sign of dignity, not shame.
💬 Fr. Simon’s Bottom Line:
Wearing a veil is totally optional today. A beautiful custom? Yes. A divine commandment? No.
The bigger principle: Dress in a way that respects your worth and doesn’t distract others.
And women? Don’t buy the lie that your worth is in being seductive. Your beauty, the real kind… is what even angels notice.
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