Two Faces Of Eve

All have two faces: the veiled illusionary face of our sinful lives; and the unveiled joyful face when sin has been forsaken. Decades of clothing the veiled self with decadent pleasures with little true substance hide the image of following the will of the One who creates man to be his sons and daughters.

Thomas Merton’s words of wisdom in New Seeds of Contemplation have opened eyes and hearts, peeling back layers of egotistical self to discover the possibility of living life with discernment to one’s true desires. Contemplation of one’s wretchedness is painful. Only one’s reliance and trust in His merciful love can lift the burden of past choices.

Into dark night of not knowing the outcome,
Each one must walk to find one’s true self;
Prospecting the canyons of one’s soul, shelf by shelf;
One shovels away layers of self, seeking a reward of very great wealth.

Hard work it is, seeking that which is hidden even from self.
You and the Lord keep digging deeper and deeper.
Thankfully, He gives a view of hope for each treasure seeker-
Shining a light of gold ahead, like a molten poker.

Each day He feeds the soul with Bread of Life and Wine of Love,
Supplying needed strength with grace to continue,
Melting illusions, of which there are more than a few.
Without His help, alone, one would have no clue.

Justice would demand payment in full.
He only asks one to do their best-
To resolve to forgo the sins one has confessed,
Becoming one’s true self; this is man’s eternal quest.