Removing Our Outer Robes - by The Rev. Bonnie S. Matthews, Deacon
Posted on
Maundy Thursday
March 24, 2016
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 I Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Psalm 116: 1, 10-17
In the name of a loving God who sent his only Son Jesus to teach and show us the way of life.
Amen
Tonight I would like to speak to scripture and the many ways we may react or respond to what God is calling us to hear. I am amazed by the number of times I have heard tonight’s Gospel reading from John and the many ways I have responded to a different verse. Sometimes scripture just reaches out to you and you know what God is calling you to hear. Sometimes one must reflect from deep within on what scripture is calling you to hear, even if you don’t want to hear. Other times scripture, like God, just meets you where you are.
However scripture touches us, we need to be prepared to receive the word and what it means.
Perhaps, because this reading speaks to servant-hood and love with Jesus showing us the way, I have been called to reflect ways by which I can love my neighbor.
The more I contemplated this Gospel reading the more one portion of a verse spoke to me.
John 13:3-4
And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe.
Such simple words:
Jesus took off his outer robe.
These simple words spoke to me. Is this an important verse or part of a verse in this Gospel narrative maybe, maybe not. For me, this week, the answer is yes. Here is why.
Jesus removing his outer robe is an example of Jesus showing himself in humility as he teaches the disciples how to love and serve on this last evening. Jesus removing his outer robe shows us that we need to free ourselves to be open to what we experience, what we hear and see.
What types of outer robes do we wear?
Do we wear robes of pride or importance that prevent us from seeing the struggle of others?
Do we wear robes that protect us from being hurt or from fully experiencing the other?
Do these robes we wear act as a shield or armor that protect us from fully experiencing which in turn denies the opportunity to be empathetic, understanding, or caring?
How do we meet people where they are if we choose not to take off our outer robe?
More specifically how do we open ourselves to hear, to understand, to experience and to respond if we are hiding behind what we want others to see and how we want to see others.
Most importantly, how can we appreciate the gifts we have been given through interactions with others if we cannot bare our soles to receive them?
How do we open ourselves to the pain, the trouble and the joy if we hide under our “robes”?
Yesterday I had the privilege to see many people from different ways of life participate in serving “the other” at a foot clinic which was accomplished through collaboration with religious and secular communities. (And here it sounds like the Holy Week version of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas) The participants in this clinic were first and foremost the clients of Church Street Eats, Trinity Church Hartford, Hartford Hospital, Christ Church Cathedral, University of Hartford Community Program, First Congregational Church Glastonbury, a Medical Supply Distributer, concerned citizens and last but not least, April’s Minister of Service Sandy.
This event was a blessing for me, and I expect all involved in the clinic. Let’s face it and name it, we all have perceptions. Many of these perceptions act as protection from fear of the unknown or perhaps they allow our self-worth to remain intact.
Please bare with me here.
The clients may have had a negative perception of self worth requiring them to literally bare themselves, accepting aide from others in the community. Imagine what it would take to sit in a chair in front of strangers and admit that you have medical, addiction, or financial issues.
I am here to tell you the purpose of this clinic was not lost on the client or the provider. The clinic was about much more than foot care, the clients were able to remove their outer robes and in some cases tell their powerful stories.
The clients removed their shoes from sweaty feet, which walk many miles each day because they can’t pay for bus or car transportation. They were cared for by strangers who were introduced to them, most often with a handshake. They were called by name. Every person was treated with respect and dignity. Clients were grateful to talk with someone who listened and understood some of the pain they were facing. A few talked about the importance of this clinic occurring during Holy Week and the promise of Resurrection that is for all to partake.
The workers also removed their outer robes and heard sacred stories.
The response of the in-take workers, care givers and escorts was touching. I know for me, and perhaps others, there was a moment of silent prayer to God for this stranger sitting across from us. The workers gave personal time and talent; they listened with concern and empathy and treated their charge with gentle loving care and in some cases referred clients for more extensive care. Both clients and caretakers had the opportunity to meet one another just where they were.
Yes God’s hand was at work and clearly visible yesterday.
But yesterday isn’t all there is. This love does not occur only during Holy week.
On a daily basis, all of us have the opportunity to take off our robes and respond to our brothers and sisters in need. Our response doesn’t always have to be monetary, or medical or a purchase of needed supplies such as clothing or food. Our response can be to listen, to understand, to empathize and to provide hope through a touch, a smile, or a nod of the head.
We are blessed at Trinity to have the opportunity to partake in God’s Mission through many opportunities: Church by the Pond, Loaves & Fishes, Covenant to Care, our Lenten Sneaker collection, a potential to partner with IRIS for refugee resettlement, Foodshare, the Choir School of Hartford and Trinity Academy. But that is not all there is. Tonight I ask you to reflect on how acts of kindness can become a way of life for you.
As part of my Lenten discipline I subscribed to daily emails sent by the Society of St John called GrowRule: My Rule of Life Meditations . One of the posts this past week was a reflection by Brother Luke Ditewig. Here is what he had to say:
We need companions on the journey. We need people who we feel safe with, (people) who we trust. We need to be with each other and to experience the wonders of life, to share them as well as to share the heartache and the sorrow and the challenge. As one mentor told me, God has given us our companions. We may ask for others but most often, our companions are already given; we have neighbors. But it is a choice to interact, it is a choice to trust, it is a choice to invest to be with them, and to also let them change us, to receive the gifts that they have to offer. That’s part of this practice of life. That’s part of becoming more like God choosing to be in relationship and to be interactive.
I leave you with this thought: Who are the unexpected or who might the unexpected companions God has placed in your life, can you remove your outer robe, and are you ready to receive the gifts they have to offer?