Reflections on Ash Wednesday - The Masks We Wear
Do you know the origins of the word “hypocrite?”
The word came to English usage from the Greek hypokrites,
which meant an actor or stage performer.
The literal translation from roots is something like “an interpreter
from underneath.”
Which makes sense when we add historical context. Because in
the first century BCE, Greek actors wore large masks and spoke from beneath
those masks.
Stop and think about that…think about how much emoting you
have to do with just your voice and body if your face is covered…Think of how
much you have to interpret from beneath the layers to get your point across.
THIS is what Jesus was talking about. Not so much the specific definition of the
word we use today.
But think about it…
We wear a lot of masks too..l
Maybe it is our perfect parent mask. Or our footloose successful retiree mask. Or
our serious professional mask. Or our “I
have it all together all the time” mask. Or our good Christian mask.
And yet…
And yet…
Here in the gospel text from Matthew, Jesus encourages us to
be without our masks. To practice our devotion
in ways that it is truly between us and God.
Some days I don’t know what that might look like.
Some days I know full well that it has to do with me not
having to tell anyone why I have set off into the woods. Not having to excuse a day spent in my
overstuffed easy chair with prayer beads and candles.
But see…I just told you, right?
I just put on my mask to let you know that I do in fact have
practices.
(Sigh)
Lent is a season for us to figure some things out.
Maybe to figure out new ways to be connected to God.
Maybe to figure out new ways to talk to and hear from God.
Maybe to figure out how to climb out from whatever mask
we’re wearing, guilt, shame, pride, to be able to express ourselves more
freely, more plainly, to be fully present and known by the God who loves us
so…and by those who reflect God’s love around us.
Tonight we step into 40 days that invite us to take the
masks off. Day after day, maybe multiple times a day. Maybe with each new
interaction.
We step into 40 days to ask the check-in question. Do I have
a mask on?
Why?
What does it look like to take it off right now?
What would it mean to let God and the person across from me
experience the real me, just as I have been created, beloved of God…but broken?
Real…
My prayer for each of us in these next 40 days is the
pursuit of God…
Without our masks, without seeking to please ourselves or
someone else.
Just seeking…remembering that where our treasure is – where
our priorities are – there will also be our heart.
For 40 days, may our hearts seek God’s love first.
May it be so.
Amen.
Source: Working Preacher Sermon Brainwave Podcast #709
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