It seems like an appropriate time in my life to be hearing this question from my childhood. With the advent of public mask wearing brought on by the Coronavirus, most of the US population have been wearing various types of masks to prevent the spread of the virus. Even so, I have yet to hear this question asked. Perhaps its because our current society has lost the cultural reference to The Lone Ranger and even the resurgence of the phrase in the 1980s. It could be that our circles of acquaintances are more familiar because we have seen them more in our communities. Or maybe it’s just not in the script. I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that the reason we aren’t hearing this phrase is much deeper than ignorance of the iconic phrase.
Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials have all become encapsulated in the single denomination of iGen, where the only value is self-serving, self-interest, and self-importance. Our focus has shifted away from ‘what can I do for my country?’ back to ‘what can my country do for me?’. As such, here are a couple of reasons why we may not be hearing the phrase, “Who was that masked man?”
1) Few people are willing to anonymously help others.
• Our society is addicted to attention. Actors, Athletes, Politicians, Influencers, and the average Joe are all thirsty to make their own names known. Acting with anonymity is contrary to our cultural norm, and it is a contradiction to our community upbringing. This is sad because one of the greatest ways to help another person is through anonymous support as it demonstrates that the community cares rather than a single individual. When a gift is given in public, the giver is most celebrated; when a gift is given in private, the recipient is most valued.
2) Few people are willing to recognize the benevolent acts of others.
• This one is even more disappointing than the first. Our culture has become a judging court of public opinion rather than a community of coaching and cooperative correction. We are so afraid of public opinion that when we see someone perform a benevolent act, we are hesitant to praise that action out of fear that whatever else that good-deed-doer stands for may contradict the desires of the court of public opinion. We can’t express appreciation or admiration for someone who disagrees with us on any single issue. This causes division and isolation, and leads us back to the first cause because if no one else is going to give me credit, I must toot my own horn.
Paul explains to us how to solve this problem in Galatians 6:1-5. We see spiritual standards, personal accountability, community, empathy, humility, personal responsibility, and submission to Christ.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. For each person will have to carry his own load. (Galatians 6:1-5, CSB)
