We all wear masks that cannot be seen
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT: By Rev Heather Stewart, Parish of Latheron
There have been many famous masked characters over the years. Think of Batman and Robin, the Lone Ranger, Spiderman: all superheroes. Their masks were worn to protect their identity. Some have worn masks to scare people – bank robbers, for example. Many others wear masks at work for protection. Who hasn’t worn a mask for fun at a party or Halloween?
Covid-19 has introduced us all to mask-wearing for protection. I don’t know about you but I find it difficult to recognise some folk and often have gone home wondering who it was that spoke to me as I entered a shop!
We all wear masks that cannot be seen: invisible masks that cover up what we really feel and think. Those masks are worn to cover up our faults, our ulterior motives, our selfishness and so on.
In the New Testament this kind of mask was referred to by Jesus as “hypocrisy”. In ancient Greece, actors often had to act several parts in theatre and this was made possible by the use of different masks. A hypocrite therefore, figuratively speaking, was a “two-faced person” and Jesus used the term against the religious leaders of the day, indicating that they didn’t practise what they preached.
Over the centuries the Church has had its fair share of hypocrites and the word can also be used of anyone in public life who seeks to influence others with a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude. A hypocrite is one who is more interested in receiving acclaim than in serving their fellow human beings.
May we wear our physical masks for protection against Covid-19 but may we remove our inner masks so that we may be genuine folk. “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.” Romans 12:9-10
