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Taking off your outer garment
Taking off your outer garment
by Sister Paula Cooney, IHM
I was recently privileged to share a reflection by Ron Rolheiser, OMI on “Creating Sabbath Space in Our Lives” with a group of elder women religious. His suggestion was a new and challenging insight into Jesus’ washing of the feet at the last supper.
The gospel of John tells us, “Jesus, knowing that he came from God and was going back to God, took off his outer garment…” Jesus was able to let go of all the stuff that wasn’t really essential – his outer garment – to minister to the other.
So we asked ourselves: “What are the “outer garments” that we think are essential that keep me from freely washing the feet of the “others” in my life? Democrat/Republican? Gay/Straight? Islamic/Christian? Pro-life/Pro-choice? Pro-immigration/Anti-immigration?
One of the sisters reflected, “It wouldn’t be so difficult if everyone would become vulnerable but it’s really hard if you are the only one doing it.” Another shared, “If I could only remember that “the other” is just like me – one who has come from God and is going back to God!”
I wonder what our world would be like if everyone “took off their outer garment?”
Paula Cooney, IHM, is an IHM Sister who is currently in ministry to the retirement community of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange, California.
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Check out a clip from a video of Ron Rolheiser, OMI, on
Creating Sabbath Space in Our Lives.
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{ 5 comments }
I’m challenged by this reflection because though I like to think I’m conscious of my outer garments that get in the way, I know that I’m not always. And sometimes it takes a loving friend to point out that I’ve still got my mittens on or a windbreaker that is keeping me from opening myself up to being vulnerable. Far from being a place of weakness, this vulnerability takes strength and courage and trust in God.
Like Sister Julie I’d like to think that I am conscious of all my outer garments. I think that for the most part I am, because I want them to be there. My outer garments are defense mechanisms put in place after years of hurt. They are slowly being peeled off a layer at a time by God as I learn to trust Him more and see Him more in others. Being vulnerable does indeed take courage. It makes us weak and this weakness is our greatest strength. By being weak, I am free to say “Jesus, I need you”. This has become my greatest strength by far. So these outer garments that protect me? I trust that in time, God will remove them and reveal the inner beauty He has placed in me. In time, the world will come to see that it is God in me, and me in God. In time I too hope to see more of God in others, and others in God.
I realized in my reflection that it was not washing the feet of others that I found so difficult, but allowing others to wash MY feet. I find it very difficult to remove my outer garments of pride, fear of judgment and embarrassment, self-sufficiency, independence … in order to allow another to wash my feet in times of need.
Wow it all seems to come full circle. I allowed myself to be so much more vulnerable as a young woman. I had such faith in the goodness of others. Then the school of hard knocks encouraged me to put on some really protective garments. To be frank, I often wonder exactly how vulnerable I should be around others. I understand putting off the garment for God and Christ, but others? Definitely something to ponder and pray about. I will definitely be praying about this one. Thanks for a great thought and faith provoking article!
This is a prayer request for Shirley who lives in Illinois. Shirley has major kidney problems and is undergoing treatment for it. She has been suffering since February 10th when she went in and has been bad ever since. She is a close friend and appreciate your prayers for her.