"Behind the Mask"

Behind the mask,

The Ranger stayed,

And justice won,

Was not delayed.

And now we all,

Behind the mask,

Have learned to work,

And do our task.

But do we stand up,

For what’s right,

Fight the darkness,

Chase the light.

I fear we hide,

And cry and bleed,

Forget that others,

Have the need,

For us to help,

And reach for them,

Too sad and busy,

Too far the limb.

But we must find,

The Ranger way,

To fight for goodness,

Come what may.

Do not hide,

And learn to care,

Somebody needs us,

Yes, they are there..

Jesus said,

The least of these,

Would be the ones,

And He’d be pleased,

If we helped them,

When we can,

No better way,

No better plan.

So wear the mask,

But do what’s right,

Help somebody,

Be the light.

“…when you did to the least of these my brothers and sisters , you were doing it for Me…” (Mt. 25:40, NLT)

Helping people is not the obligation of the religious, it is the spontaneous response of the righteous. We serve others because we are motivated by the love and grace of Jesus. It’s how saving grace manifests itself, not in order to be saved but because we are. The masks we are wearing may outwardly protect people from the virus, but may also serve to further isolate us from those in need. The Lone Ranger wore a mask so that he could help people anonymously. “Who was that masked man?” they always asked as he rode away. No one knew his true identity, but they knew he had done them a lot of good. That’s the way it should be with us. One more thing. Great things are possible when are unconcerned who will get credit. Won’t it be wonderful when Jesus says, “you did this for Me.”

Lord, help us to remember when we help the least of these we are helping You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, billantonstudios.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.