Meaning of the sackcloth or wearing the sackcloth

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 27th Week - Tuesday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 10:38-42*

*First Reading - Jon 3:1-10*

*Meaning of the sackcloth or wearing the sackcloth*

*1) Biblical Understanding of the Sackcloth*

*Symbol of Mourning*:  Sackcloth was worn as a token of mourning by the Israelites. 

 *Symbol of Submission* : It was also a sign of submission (1 Kings 20:31-32)

It is also the Symbol of *grief and self-humiliation* (2 Kings 19:1), 

*Prophets dress* : Occasionally it was worn by the Prophets.

*Ashes* : It is often associated with ashes. 

*2) Use of Sackcloth in the Bible*

*Jacob wears the sackcloth*: This happens after he learnt that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob fell to the ground and wept bitterly as he tore his clothes. He later put on sackcloth and dumped ashes on his head. Genesis 37:33-35

Mordecai mourns for his people, the Jews when the king decreed that all Jews would be killed (Esther 4:1-2).

The people of Nineveh -  everyone from the King to the poor put on sackcloth and ashes—they even dressed their livestock in sackcloth and ashes (Jonah 3:5-8)

Prophet Daniel also put on the sackcloth and prayed for the conversion of the people who had gone away from God

*3) Sackcloth - the means of Salvation*

From today's first reading it is very clear that the sackcloth saved their life from God's wrath

After listening to prophet Jonha, they put on the sackcloth, observed fast and repented for their sins. As a result God finally changed His mind and didn't destroy them, but gave them new life 

So sackcloth became the instrument of salvation to the Ninevites. 

*4) Sackcloth gives us the protection*

This is our experience of life. Sackcloth can protect us from many dangers, injuries and problems

At times it works as a protective cover to our body, when one wears it. 

It is also an instrument to fill some things and to carry the things from one place to another 

In this way, sackcloth works as an instrument to fill God's graces to our life and to fill the bad things from life and to take away from our life and to dispose it, in the dumping ground

Usually people don't throw the sackcloth, because it becomes a useful thing in  many situations

*5) Various methods of using the sackcloth in our context*

People of Israel used the sackcloth in diffent situation to show the signs of mourning and repentance

Today we have similar things which can be equated with the sackcloth

Using *black dress* as a symbol of mourning 

*Kneeling down* is a great sign of humility and submission to the Lord 

*Using simple dress* is a sign of sackcloth in present day context 

Use of certain colours, certain things, sitting down, kneeling down, raising ones hands and praying, not using any artificial costumes, are various signs of sackcloth in today's context 

*6) Am I ready to wear sackcloth?*

It is not so easy to wear sackcloth. Since the dress itself is little uncomfortable to wear, it needs special determination to wear it 

Since it symbizes the concept of humility, submission, conversion, a person with pride and arrogance can't accept this cloth 

*7) Has the significance of the sackcloth lost its significance in my life?*

Because of its special nature and significance, the modern trend of thought and life style does not subscribe to the sackcloth in their life

But Christian life and spirituality can never be separated from the sackcloth. 

Sackcloth is the foundation of Christian spirituality, since it helps a person to build the spiritual life and to grow in it 

If so what is the role and significance of the sackcloth in my life?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*