I often come home to find my youngest son dressed up like a
superhero. He has superhero pajamas
complete with cape and mask. When we meet, I
become the evil villain and he proceeds to fling me around the room like a rag
doll. He loves to pretend that he’s this
other person and his strength is far superior to even the strongest man he
knows.
In college a friend hosted a Halloween party and everyone
dressed up in some very creative costumes.
Two of my friends wore all black and the “Van Gogh” masks from the movie
Scream. These masks are simple but
disturbing. The black mesh allowed the
wearers to see the party-goers but we could not see them. For hours they silently walked around or
stood in a corner and stared at us. They
wouldn't speak, eat or drink thus continuing to conceal their identity. It was un-nerving to say the least.
Apart from Halloween, we all have masks that we wear. We all have costumes that we put on and we
pretend to be someone we are not. Many
times these masks and costumes are needed for survival. However, most of the time, we are only fooling
ourselves.
There are two serious dangers inherit in these masks and
costumes. First, if we wear them long
enough, we may start to believe that we actually are the superhero or the villain. We may start to believe that we’re destined
to save the world while ignoring the needs of our family and neighbors. We may start to believe that we’re unlovable
and find ourselves hurting others to mask our own hurt. Second, not only do masks and costumes give
us the false idea that we’re someone we are not, they conceal who we truly are. My life and my son's life would become disturbing if he never took off his mask.
In the Gospel Jesus utters the most frightening words in
Scripture, “I do not know where you come from” or “I do not know you” in some
translations. Why would Jesus not know
me? Did He change? No, He simply cannot see through the mask and
costume I’ve made for myself. He knew me
when I was in my mother’s womb but now He no longer recognizes me. My mask, my false self, my ego, have all disfigured me and made me unrecognizable to Him.
This Gospel passage is given as a warning and warnings,
taken correctly, can instill a great deal of hope. We are given the chance to learn from the
mistakes of others. The passages
illustrate the continual need for self-examination, humility, and spiritual
direction. Without these things, our
masks and costumes become harder and harder to remove.
Let us pray for the courage and grace to follow St. Paul’s
advice regarding masks and costumes…"
Let us then cast off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of Christ…put on the breastplate of righteousness…shod
your feet with the equipment of the Gospel of peace…take the shield of faith…the
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit." (Romans 13:12, Ephesians
6:13-17)
FROM THE SAINTS: "
O Lord, the depths of a man's conscience lie exposed before your eyes. Could anything remain hidden in me, even though I did not want to confess it to you? In that case I would only be hiding you from myself, not myself from you." -
St. Augustine, Confessions.
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