My earliest memories of Mardi Gras are of my parents dressing me to take me to the parades in uptown New Orleans. Mom made sure I had on clothing which was appropriate for the weather, of course (usually chilly; sometimes rainy). Dad made sure I had Green and Blue Tulane Green Wave outer apparel - most importantly, a jacket and a knit cap to cover my ears.
As the floats rolled past us, some of the people on them would see us and yell, "Hey, Tulane! Roll, Green Wave!" and inundate us with beads and doubloons and all sorts of cheap little plastic trinkets. Others would see us and yell, "Booooo Tulane! LSU! LSU! LSU!" and then bombard us with beads and doubloons and all sorts of cheap little plastic trinkets.
Mom and Dad knew that the clothes I had on - especially the outer garments which covered over all the other garments - connected me with a group; the clothes I wore, in fact, characterized who I was in some way; they were a part of my identity. I was the son of Tulane graduates and a proud fan of the Green Wave in a state dominated by the LSU Tigers.
When I was a teenager in St. Charles Parish, my youth minister began bringing a few neighborhood children to church with him. Then, after a few Sundays, he stopped. I learned later that an important family in the church ("important family" as used here means "the largest financial supporters") threatened to stop coming, and stop giving, unless the youth minister stopped bringing "those colored children" into our church.
That church was instrumental in shaping, challenging, and deepening my Christian faith. It was often overflowing with grace, compassion, and, yes, love. Much of that was in part to the generous contributions of that one family, who themselves were nothing but gracious to me. But on this specific occasion, for that moment, over all those other beautiful clothes, my church threw on an overcoat of prejudice and racism which covered it all.
The Apostle Paul speaks metaphorically of the clothes we wear: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (Col. 3:12-14). But above all, over everything else, Paul says to "clothe yourselves with love." Love is what ties it all together.
Paul says that our attitudes and actions, especially how we relate to one another, characterize who we are; they identify us as belonging to Christ.
As I listen to and observe us in the Church talk about Muslims, foreigners, strangers, enemies, the poor, and those pushed to the outside margins of our society, I notice the wardrobe of power, wealth, pride, arrogance, self-righteousness, might, dominance, and exclusion - the wardrobe often described biblically as "worldliness." It's easy for me to spot these, because the same clothes are in my closet and chest of drawers.
As we approach Mardi Gras Day, this New Orleans-born minister cannot help but wonder, if Paul and Jesus were riding by on a parade float, would they be able to pick me out of the crowd by what I had on? Would they be able to recognize you?
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. (Colossians 3:12-14, The Message)
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.