Take off your hat, for this place is holy

Of course, we all remember Charlton Heston playing Moses in the movie, The Ten Commandments, and we remember the voice of God, also played by Charlton Heston, telling Moses, er... or himself (sorry it gets confusing) to take off his shoes for the place that he is standing is a holy place.That small spot on the side of the mountain was a holy place, and Moses' shoes were a sign that he was common and ordinary.It was holy because God was present. Moses response to the divine was to show respect.

We have lost the idea that there are places and situations where respect can and should be shown. In western society, taking off your hat is an appropriate gesture to show respect. And yet, the ever present ball cap seems to be exempt from this custom. Maybe we just want to be comfortable, or perhaps the hat is a fashion statement.

Are there places where respect should be shown, or have we outgrown this middle-aged custom and can relax and be ourselves? Yes, there are many times and situations where the ball cap should be taken off, even if the regrettable hat-hair is visible to all in attendance. Church, funerals, weddings, formal events, places where public prayers are offered, and of course, the singing of the national anthem. While I am not certain that many of my gentle readers are ball cap wearers, we still should be an example for our children and those who might not care to remember the good manners they were taught.

Let us pray,

Lord, keep us humble and willing to lift up one another in praise and respect. Let us show a heart of love and peace to the stranger we meet on the street, the old friend we have not met for a long time, or the elder whose wisdom and patience has been taught at great price. Teach us ways to show respect and attend to the dignity of all persons, even in places where there might be confrontation or disagreement. Even as you showed love and hope to poorest and smallest, let us constantly not be impressed because of wealth, fame or fashion. Remind us that every son or daughter of Eve is your child and no better or no worse. Amen.