Today’s find: Unmasked

I have to admit: I took an extra measure of grandfatherly pride in the creativity displayed by a couple of young-us we know pretty well.

No “store-bought” costumes for this Dynamic Duo. No, they hit the mean Halloween Streets of our subdivision in elaborate outfits of their own design (and craftsmanship). 

Grandson #1 introduced the neighbors to The Candy-Eating Dragon. 

Grandson #2 opted for a “recycled-box” take on Wall-E, the robot guardian of landfills (made famous by Pixar Studios).

Although both costumes included built-in compartments for amassing sugary loot, the boys had a back-up plan, too: traditional sacks with gaping-wide openings … the better to expedite the collection process.

Judging by the haul they unloaded afterwards on the living room floor, I’d have to say it was a successful venture – more than enough candy to induce sugar-comas for many days to come. And I was glad for them. I felt they’d earned their reward, especially given the many hours they’d put into crafting their clever Halloween get-ups.

That said, I found myself wondering whether their effort might in fact have been wasted. No doubt, OTHER kids – who’d put far less personal effort into their costumes – finished their evenings with just as prodigal a payload as my grandsons. Should they have bothered to do all that pre-Halloween prep work? 

Which, of course, qualifies as a Class 1 case of “stinkin’-thinkin.” 

There’s an ugly edge of envy in that line of thought. A soul-crushing disposition if there ever was one, as ancient as the serpent’s temptation in the Garden of Eden. When we compare ourselves to others, when we measure our “take” … or our “effort” … over against another’s … we ultimately find ourselves unmasked – as naked as Adam and Eve shivering in the shadow of the apple tree.

I’ve long loved how the Holy One responds to our overly covetous proto-parents in their moment of shame: “Who told you that you were naked?” God says. As if to say: “You’ve been lied to. Don’t you know that I see you in a much different way? That you are beloved in my eyes?”

Surely, I’m grateful that my grandsons have a way of showing their Gramps the truth of God’s ever-affectionate gaze. And I’d say it’s a blessing we can celebrate in a special way today, on All Souls Day. 

Today, we see exactly how Satan’s lies are unmasked. As we hear from a passage in the Book of Wisdom, “[our] hope is full of immortality; chastised a little, [we] shall be greatly blessed.”

Blessed, especially, in the person of Jesus, who promises “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.”

Let us pause now…to recall that we are in the presence of the Holy & Merciful One.

IHS