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A reflection and prayer to start the day with Iwan Russell Jones, a lay reader for the Church in Wales

Bore da, good morning!

Movember has come around again, the month in which men are encouraged to grow some facial hair and get talking about health issues that they are often reluctant to address – especially testicular and prostate cancer and mental health. The movement is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year, and it’s had considerable success in raising awareness on these issues.

Sadly, my own involvement has been sparse, matching the quality and quantity of my facial hair. I’ve never been able to grow a moustache visible to the naked eye, and well into adulthood my friends used to joke that instead of a shave all my face really needed was a good wash.

The German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, clearly had no problems in this department and sported a huge handlebar moustache. He said that it acted like a mask, hiding his feelings and identity, and was fond of it partly for that reason. If so, Nietzsche’s moustache is a poor symbol for men’s health. Hiding things from others and from ourselves is a major part of the problem for us men. Health is about wholeness – of body, mind and spirit - being open to ourselves, to others, and above all, to God. It’s about knowing and being known, and when we hide, concealing the truth from ourselves and those we love, we close off the sources of healing in our lives.

Loving God, you know the secrets of every heart – nothing is hidden from you. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with others, and open our lives to the power of your Holy Spirit, the source of all true healing. Amen.