31st July 2020

Face masks – when Tyndale re-opens in September one of the stipulations will be that everyone wears a face mask – in line with what’s happening everywhere.

Gradually we’re getting used to seeing folk wearing face masks. It’s not something we take to easily in this country – folk from other countries have been wearing them for years, now, so, presumably, it will be much easier for them.

Still, as they’re becoming more common, they’re also becoming more – creative. There’s no limit to the designs, colours and textures that we’re beginning to see…

And it should help, but It’s not without it’s problems. Hard-of-hearing people who rely on lip-reading are severely disadvantaged. People with various medical conditions can get an exemption, but who’s to know? And what about that new face-recognition software? What will it recognise? And, having worn one for several hours I can report that they’re not very comfortable…

Still, being British, I’m sure we’ll cope. Funny thing, the face. In the well-known story in Exodus God speaks to Moses, who wanted to see God for who he really was.

“When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

God’s glory… but his face must remain hidden. In the next chapter, the skin of Moses’ face shone because he had been with God. I wonder, what does our face reveal, or hide?

Michael Docker