Stained Glass Masquerade

This is the dead land
This is cactus land
Here the stone images
Are raised, here they receive
The supplication of a dead man's hand
Under the twinkle of a fading star.

- T.S. Eliot, “The Hollow Men”

Was listening to my collection of Christian songs today...and this song made me sit up and pay attention. It was asking some truly important questions that we may be familiar with. We know what the Priest or Pastor is going to talk about, when he begins preaching about "not just being a Sunday Christian". We know that what God wants from us is to be a congregation of faithful disciples who are willing to sacrifice for Him, just as He sacrificed His son for us.

Too often in our daily lives, we occupy ourselves with the mundane chores of life on earth. Going to school, doing tutorials, doing readings, slogging all over at part-time jobs to make a few extra cents of spare cash.

We’ve always been asked the question: Where does God figure in this equation?

Do we all live, day-by-day, feeding hand-to-mouth – pressing on in this life’s existence without yearning for something greater? It is so uncanny, that I have been preparing readings for my Gender class today that speak of ‘gender as masquerade’. Isn’t this what the song is proclaiming?

That we are all in a little pantomime? Even in our church-life?

That is disturbingly, very sad.

Stained Glass Masquerade - Casting Crowns

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the heart again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

P.S. I think Casting Crowns has quite a few critical songs directed at such ‘empty worship’. Another good one is “While you were sleeping”. Cheers (and if u want the songs…just ask. =) )