Can a Mask Help Us be MORE Faithful to Christ?
I could feel it welling up within me as I encountered the first person on my way into the store this morning. I could feel it welling up within me when I approached the six-foot floor marker (yeah - I’m one of those sheeple that actually pays attention to the signage in the store) and saw them standing there. I could feel it welling up within me as one who Jerry would categorize as a bit of a LOUD TALKER made known her displeasure and announced with certainty she most definitely would be talking to corporate.
All I needed to do was dive into the pick up counter at the front of the store, pick up 500’ of Cat6 for which I had already paid, slip back out, and be on my merry way to the office. Maybe I’m a little more sensitive because I live with one who is immunocompromised and as such is in a high risk category, and due to that I am doing my best to not circulate too much in public. No matter what, though, I have one simple question (and, no, my question has nothing to do with whether or not one should wear a mask out in public - people have made up their minds whether they will or they won’t and I’m not going to waste your time or mine on that argument that has more to do with politics than anything else…) Rather, my question has to do with those who are choosing to wear a mask while out in public…
IS IT REALLY THAT DADGUM HARD TO WEAR THE MASK PROPERLY?
To help frame what I think is a proper response to provocations like this - either directly or indirectly, let’s take a few moments for some wisdom found in what is known as the first letter to Peter:
From First Peter three, verses eight through twelve:
Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called — that you might inherit a blessing.
For, “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Yes, I know that he is writing to a specific group of Christians, and one could make the case that the behavior to which those hearing this letter are called is to be practiced within the community (or communities) receiving this letter. That, I believe, would be an unfortunate cop-out.
No, I believe the true mark of the faithful disciple would be to have this attitude towards all and in all situations.
Back to the mask thing I encountered this morning - well, not just this morning but pretty much anytime I have been out in a store since the middle of March.
I got my dander up because I wanted to scream at people that wearing the mask in such a way that it covers your lips but not your nose is pointless.
I got my dander up because I wanted to scream at people that wearing the mask down around your chin, leaving exposed your nose and your mouth is equally pointless.
I got my dander up because I wanted to scream at people that having the mask in your pocket and waiting until you got close to people or they got close to you pretty much defeats the point of the whole exercise.
I got my dander up…well, I think you get the point.
Then we get to today’s words from First Peter. A call to have a tender heart, a humble mind. A call to not be about repaying evil with evil. A call to repay with a blessing.
What followed, then, was that I got my dander up with myself because I know better than to allow myself to get hijacked into reaction to what I perceive as unconscionable disregard for others.
The truth of the matter is that I got my dander up because I allowed others to have control of my emotions. I was not following the advice found in First Peter.
This, I believe, has the potential to be one of the biggest legacies of our coronavirus - how do we respond to others who may have actions and attitudes that are different than ours. Are we people who have tender hearts and humble minds? Do we repay those who err with a blessing? Are the those who desire life and desire to see good days turning away from evil, seeking peace?
Whether it is due to something you see online, or on television, in conversation, or even out in the store, keep in mind these words of advice and admonition so that we do not continue throwing debris on the tire fire that is the reaction of so many to our current situation.