Taking of the Outer Garment is necessary to wash the feet of the other

Gospel Thoughts*

*Holy Week: Holy/Maundy Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Jn 13:1-15*

*First Reading - Ex 12:1-8, 11-14*

*Second Reading - 1 Cor 11:23-26*

*Taking of the Outer Garment is necessary to wash the feet of the other*

*1) Jesus took off the outer garment before he began to Wash the feet*

The Gospel makes it very clear that Jesus took off the outer garment before he began to wash the feet of His disciples 

Taking off the outer garment has a important meaning for our life 

It teaches us a profound lesson. Let's see how it can apply to our life. 

*2) Outer garment is something which is put on*

Outer garment is not the part of the original thing. This is something which is added to the original garment 

Outer garment might have been put to make oneself appear attractive and to capture the attention 

At other times it can also be considered as something which is put on as a kind of show off and to make impressions 

All these things are to be removed in order to wash the feet of the other 

*3) The outer garment in my life*

The outer garment can represent the following things in our day today life 

Our power, position, status in the society etc 

At times it can also take the form of my pride, arrogance, selfishness, revengeful attitude 

It also has the face of my head wait, feeling of self-righteousness, feeling of coming from royal family, ones beauty, knowledge, skills, talents and so on 

Unless we remove these outer garments one can't wash the feet of the other

*4) Wearing outer garment one can't serve*

It is very clear from the life of Jesus 

By taking off the outer garment Jesus humbled Himself in front of His disciples and gave them the best example of humility and service 

If this is the proper way of doing the service, we can follow our master only after taking off the outer garment in my life 

*5) Taking outer garment at times difficult*

Taking off outer garment for Jesus was very easy because, Jesus never identified Himself with the outer garment 

Within no time He could remove and wash the feet of His disciples 

When it comes to us, the taking off the outer garment becomes so difficult and we give up thinking about taking off the outer garment

At times people identify themselves with outer garments and in which case it is difficult to take off the outer garment 

Our life is not outer garment, this we need to think about 

*6) What is the outer garment I am wearing today?*

All of us are wearing one or the other type of outer garment in our lives 

Unless we remove those garments we can't serve others or we can't become the genuine disciples of Jesus 

But the question is  am I ready to take off the outer garment from my life? 

*7) Taking off outer garment is an important aspect of Maundy Thursday*

One can't celebrate Maundy Thursday, without taking off the outer garment 

If so how do I celebrate the Maundy Thursday? 

Will I try my level best to take off the outer garment or not? 

Think about it.

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

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*