Short Stories

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(In a store, a young lady stops in front of a shelf that has a lot of masks of different sizes and patterns.)

"Masks? I wonder why such things would even be in the store! Who would ever need them? I don’t think that many buy them anyway."

"Excuse me for interrupting the train of your thoughts, but I want to tell you that you’re very wrong to think that there are very few who buy and use us. You’ll find it hard to believe, but mind you, we’ve been the most sought for and best sold objects in the store lately. Many of our sisters have already been bought and I’ve heard that they’re having a dream life in the possession of their current owners. As for myself, I can’t wait to be purchased!"

"Forgive my curiosity and boldness, but may I ask you what kind of people would be interested in having you?"

"Oh, but you really don’t know? I’m sure you’ve heard of those people who are called Christians. You probably have some friends or relatives among them. Well, my dear, a good deal of our buyers are such people. Although often times customers who are not of them also come here, we always prefer being taken by a so-called Christian. Why, you can’t even imagine what a life awaits us if we manage to get in such good hands!"

"Wait a second, you’ve already lost me. I don’t understand what you mean... As far as I know, Christians are those extremely faithful people, who are good, honest, always willing to help, and who offer you such a sweet smile every time you see them! I went to one of their churches with a friend of mine about three or four times, and I felt very good there. Everything seemed so perfect! Maybe even too impeccable to be true! It felt like being in a different world, where everything is always well and nice, and nothing can intervene to disturb your peace and happiness. Who wouldn’t like to live in such a world?"

"Oh well, let me explain to you... Yes, there are a lot of churches where it is just like you said, but in others it only seems to be that way at first glance, until you get to know the reality. I’m sure you’re telling me the truth and that you are describing to me exactly what you saw when you went to church. In some Christian churches, however, reality is pretty different from what you know. In just a moment I'm going to tell you where I’ve been trying to get, and then you will understand why we have so much success among many so-called Christians. Part of what you saw when you visited their church was the image created by the masks that some of them were wearing. I’m not saying that most of the great people there are like that because of masks, but that is often the case. Of course, there are also a lot of genuine Christians, who don’t need to wear a mask in order to show that, but it’s not this kind of people that we are interested in. We’re waiting for more and more of them to start needing us. You can’t even imagine how I can’t wait to be bought by someone, as well! However, according to the way things have been developing, I’m pretty sure that it will happen soon. But the issue is that there’s quite a competition among us masks. We’re all longing and hoping to get into as high a position as possible. It's my dream that I will be bought by one of their important people; I’d prefer a pastor or whatever their leader is called. You know, I’ve heard that in the families of some of them masks have a great life. This, of course, if it is a pastor who has acquired the art of using a mask. Oh, what I would give for this dream to come true! Then I would live like a king; I would have a place of honor in the house and would probably become the most cherished and needed object there."

"I’m sorry to interrupt again, but you’ve got me extremely confused... You first shock me be telling me that what I saw was not exactly the reality, and then you go on saying that even some of their leaders use masks... What do you mean? How is that possible?"

"My dear, you’re too naive! You think everyone is as honest and sincere as you are, and that they all let their real faces be seen. Indeed, a long time ago, things were far from being as they are now. Yes, Christians were once the best and most honest people of all. Yet, as time has passed, things have somewhat changed, and the irony is that sometimes, where we were not accepted and where nobody needed us before, it’s there that we are very much sought for and welcomed now. I’ve heard that some Christians usually put on their masks when they go to church or when they see someone who knows them. Unfortunately, in their homes masks are kind of neglected, except for the times when somebody comes to visit. Other than that, those of them who are only so-called Christians are no different from other people, and sometimes they are even worse than nonbelievers. If you could only hear the way they fight and how badly some of them talk to their family members during the week! On Sundays, however, with the help of masks, everything looks so nice! You would swear they are the perfect family! You should also see their behavior when they go to some place where no one knows them! You would not even guess that they are Christians. Moreover, if you knew what kind of things they do in secret: how they cheat, and lie, and so on and so forth... Oh, but then comes Sunday, our favorite day of the week! Then they put on their masks and everything is perfect again. Oh, how faithful, humble, gentle and good they all are, and as you saw them, always having a smile to offer, as well! No doubt, this is the kind of people you would always wish to meet. Do you realize how much some masks like us can do?"

"I can’t believe it! Is it really possible that things be as you’re telling me? But this is way too much!"

"Oh, let me tell you even more... I’ve also heard that some churches have become a meeting place for masks and that masks feel so at home there. Oh, how they all look forward to church services, so that they can meet up with so many of their sisters! Then they share with one another what has been going on since they last met. Up until now, I’ve only heard about all of this, but I hope I will soon get to experience it, as well. I know you are very disappointed by everything you've learned now, but I am, on the contrary, very excited. If things were different, who would ever take us? Who would ever need us? But thus, you see, we have some hope."

"Well, I understand what's you're saying, but still it’s very hard for me to believe that I could have been so wrong about those Christians, whom I used to admire so much! You know, when I was with them, I was so impressed! I felt so good! I’ve even been considering starting to attend their church, and I’ve almost decided to join them. But now, after all you’ve been telling me, I think I may give up the idea. I don’t mean to offend you, and I hope you don’t mind me telling you this, but I’m afraid I might become just another mask-owner. So for now, I think it’s better for me to stay as I am. I know I’m far from being perfect, but at least I am MYSELF...



My dear friend, maybe you find yourself in this story and are ashamed to admit that you are one of the Christians who have grown accustomed to wearing masks. You may have been practicing this for so long that you have almost come to believe you are indeed the person that others see when you are wearing the mask. But you need to be aware of the fact that hypocrisy does not only harm you, but contributes to damaging the witness of the whole church to the people around. It is very likely that someone will refuse coming to God because of your negative example of Christian life. Don’t neglect the value of the name of Christian that you are wearing, but seek to live a life which is worthy of it.

You may identify with the person talking with the mask, and you may be so disappointed by the hypocrisy of many who claim to be Christians, that you prefer to remain as you are. Indeed, it is painful to see that many so-called Christians are far from what they should be, but still that cannot be an excuse for someone to indulge in sinfulness. God will not hold you accountable for the way others have lived, but you will have to answer to Him for what you have done with your own life. The church is not, and never will be, an assembly of perfect people, and when you come to accept that, you will learn the true meaning of the love of Christ, the One who loved us unconditionally and was willing to sacrifice Himself for us, despite all of our imperfections.

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