Exploring the True & False Self.  

Do you swear to tell the truth,  the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?  Maybe...

What if we were required to take the witness stand each day and tell the whole truth about ourselves? 

How much truth would come out? How much truth COULD come out?

Do you remember playing the game truth or dare as a child?  Which did you choose?  Which would you choose now? 

Thomas Merton writes, “Every one of us is shadowed by an illusory person:  a false self. . . We are not very good at recognizing illusions, least of all the ones we cherish about ourselves.”

He also writes, “Who is this “I” that you imagine yourself to be?”

I am a Democrat.

I am a Republican.

I am a Christian.

I am an American.

I watch CNN.

I watch Fox News.

Who is this I?

As we reflect on Merton’s life and legacy this season, can we make a commitment to more deeply reflect on our own life, and legacy.  Can we allow Merton to serve as a mirror into our soul?  Can we dare to confront our fears and vulnerability and ask God for a more intimate relationship with ourselves, our truest selves.  It is far too easy today to avoid truth, but the greatest and even more dangerous temptation is to avoid our own truth.