Should I Take Off My Mask - October 10
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 137:1-6(7-9), 144; PM Psalm 104; Micah 5:1-4,10-15; Acts 25:13-27; Luke 8:16-25
When I was in high school and after college as a youth minister, I was really involved in a program in the church called Happening. This same program has been foundational for many of the young people at Saint Stephen’s. In West Tennessee, young people would give talks about their faith and every talk was written by the young person except for the first one. The first talk was passed down year after year and it was about “taking off your mask.” The premise was that high school students all hide behind an image they have projected upon their friends, teachers, and parents, scared of letting people know who they really are. The talk, given at the beginning of the weekend was encouragement to take of your mask, be vulnerable, and to know that God loves you.
Over the weekend, friendships were built, and people could be authentic. They weren’t John the Jock, Anne the Artist, or Theodore the Thespian. Everyone was a beloved child of God absent of the labels that we feel need to justify our worth. I was struck in a conversation with a young person this past week who was talking about how much they have enjoyed wearing a (real) mask in high school these past several weeks. For her, she could avoid the awkwardness of trying to fit in. The mask provided her freedom not to worry or try to fit in. In just a few words, she was able to make me remember the challenging and painful parts of growing up, especially high school. And I read today’s Gospel with this image in mind.
“No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light” (Luke 8:16-17). Jesus knows something about how we all have tried to hide who we really are. How scary to think that everything about us will be exposed!
But maybe this is part of the radicalness of Christianity. We can be who we are and not who we want others to believe we are. We don’t have to be afraid. We can be the insecure, the addict, the depressed, the vulnerable, or the fragile because that is who God has created. And in owning this, it is casting a light on it. It is God’s work of moving us towards wholeness and healing. God’s work of resurrection can actually be made manifest. It doesn’t matter who you are today. It only matters, who God is calling you to be. That is radical.
So let’s be free to take off the metaphorical masks. But for the sake of public health maybe leave the other one on until we are past this darn pandemic.
-John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: What are you scared most about others knowing who you are? Do you believe that God loves you irregardless?
Daily Challenge: Today, think of three labels that you try to project to others about who you are? They could be simple like active, athletic, smart, confident, well-read, woke, conservative, funny, intelligent, well-known, liberal, or open-minded.