Sunday, September 30, 2007

Cinderella, Beach Towels, and Roman Society

These are some notes I took during Bible study last May.

Like Cinderella, trapped in my soot-stained rags, I suddenly find myself transformed into glittering royalty by the act of a fairy godmother, who clothes me in a glorious filmy gown. I become what I am wearing.

Like a kid emerging from the pool just after the sun has dipped over the horizon, goosebumps beginning to prickle my skin, the wind breathing its sharp breath on my wet back, my rapidly bluing feet pounding on the concrete, almost running under the lifeguard's poised whistle, longing for the comfort and warmth and homeness of that suddenly comes in the form of an overlarge, fluffy beach towel, flung and pulled tight around my shivering body. I scrunch my legs beneath it, tucking the edges around my feelingless toes, and sigh with relief and ecstasy. This is all I've ever wanted in life.

Roman women wore clothes to indicate social and legal status. A child went out in a toga, symbolizing the protection of her father's house. A married woman wore a stola, which showed that she was under the protection of her husband. A prostitute wove purple into her garments, and put gaudy golden trinkets on the hem. She was under no one's protection, and could legally be taken advantage of with no retribution.

Romans 13:14 "But put on (or clothe yourself in) the Lord Jesus Christ"

Luke 14:22 " But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.'"