One of the most challenging aspects of these past crazy months for this extrovert has been the isolation, but thankfully we have a large back deck that allows me to stand and chat with the great neighbours living on either side of us.
Last week, a lovely treat took place in our local grocery store. I was nearly finished cruising the aisles and double checking my shopping list to ensure I had picked up all the essentials, when a gentleman spoke to me.
“Hi Linda,” he said, “how are you?” Much to my embarrassment, I couldn’t remember his name. It wasn’t until he temporarily lowered his face mask that the connection took place. “My wife and I walked with you on the track,” he explained.
After the reminder, we quickly covered our faces again and finished a quick and muffled conversation but that got me thinking more about the role of masks in other aspects of our lives. In checking out references, I was surprised to learn that in both the Old and New Testaments, reference is made to them.
“When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face…” Exodus 34:33 (Living Bible)
After spending one-on-one time with God, Moses found it necessary to cover his face because heavenly glory so illuminated him that the people couldn’t look upon him. What a sight that must have been.
In the New Testament Jesus was speaking in this passage to those who were living hypocritically – demanding one set of behaviour of others but living in another themselves. Christ’s gentleness gave way to His stern warnings about their hypocrisy.
“…You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known...” Luke 12:1-3 (The Message)
May God’s presence, not hypocrisy, be openly seen.
