Wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God. (1Cor 3:19)

My life has been blessed by being born a fraternal twin - giving me a sense of identity, of strength, (2 for 1), a unity of shared joy.

Thomas Merton calls this, ”assumption of my false self, the self that exists only in my own egocentric desires.” If this is my reality then these “become like bandages in order to make myself perceptible to myself and the world as if I were an invisible body that could only become visible when something visible covered the surface.” (New Seeds of Contemplation, p35)

We do this in the way of the world. We choose not to go to Confession in our home parish; the priest knows our voice and we do not want our weaknesses come into the light. Or we leave out “embarrassing “events in our past which make us look “imperfect.” We dress nicely, lose a few pounds, put on a smile, make sure our fingernails are clean- all “to impress the world.” We project an image which we want the world to see; we become an illusionary self. We forget God sees and knows us completely, and still He loves us.

Where can I find my true self, my true identity?

Only by becoming an identical twin of Christ can I become truly human; only by being in Him and with Him, can I become part of His Kingdom of God. Merton continues. “If I find Him I will find myself and if I find my true self I will find Him.”

We search, maybe in the ways of the world. Alone, this is impossible. God is searching too for us and He is with us in our search for Him. His mercy at our smallness is above our human understanding.

How will I find Him?

The answer is God Himself; Himself alone. He will lead me and you into the deep water of truth with His grace pouring into our heart from His wounds on the cross. He will do this if you and I humble ourselves and ask, falling on our knees as Peter did upon meeting Christ in the boat on the Sea of Galilee.

How do I cooperate with His grace?

The answer sounds simple, but the reality is hard. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (Jn 13:34)

We find Christ in the people we meet, looking for Him in the needs of another who can do nothing for us but return our love of God. It is like we become the doors and windows through which God shines back into His own house, and His love shines back into us who exist in the world until we join Him in paradise.

My fraternal twin and I have much work to do to become identical with Christ in our lifetime on this earth.