Burning Masks

Signs & Symbols of growth

"We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes." -2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Men wear masks and part of a healthy masculine journey involves moments when one confronts those masks. Facing ourselves and truly examining the ways we hide from God, our loved ones, friends and ourselves is difficult work.

At MANCAMP we create moments where men can viscerally engage confession and forgiveness for sin through sign and symbol. This year I had Tony, a woodworker friend, make me a mask to use in this fireside ritual based on the truth of the “scapegoat” imagery in Leviticus 16.

Leviticus‬ ‭16‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭“He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.”

We passed the mask around the fire circle and each man’s hands handled it as he shared the masks he wears in life. Many masks were examined around the challenging realities of men’s lives: marriages, parenting, family relationships, personal identity, faith fractures, frustrations and life stage struggles.

There were also deep and dark secrets and sufferings spoken. Harrowing confessions, tears and shadows exposed.

Sacred happenings unfold around our fires.

I then took the mask that had heard these confessions like the “hearing stones” of Joshua’s ritual: “See!” he said to all the people. “This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.” -Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭27‬.

I cast it into the fire as a sign and symbol of the work God is doing in men’s hearts. Work that only God can fully do based on the saving work accomplished through Jesus on the cross and through His resurrection. New life doesn’t come through ritual, but through the realities these rituals proclaim, only grace through faith can access that true reality.

I now place this burnt mask on the shelf in my den as a reminder of these times with men and the ongoing work of prayer and brotherhood that such moments demand.

We are brothers in the fire: “…their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” -1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬, ‭15‬ ‭

Mask by: Tony Turns Wood: https://www.instagram.com/tony_turns_wood?igsh=bXYyanJ5bDJmM3Yy