A school inspector saw two little girls in class and they were absolutely identical. "You must be twins," she said. "No, miss," they answered together. "Bet you are sisters, aren't you?" she asked. "Yes, miss," they replied. "And how old are you?" she asked. "We are nine," they said at the same time. "Then you must be twins!" said the inspector. "No, miss, we are triplets. But our sister has the flu."
"Jesus has a twin who looks just like you". True or false? Give three proofs that this is true quoting Jesus, St Augustine and Genesis. [answer below]
Jesus has a twin, perhaps even a triplet, and Jesus is alive. This is happening today in this time frame. Our job as Christians is to be recognizable images of Jesus Christ. Examples come to mind. A child asked our parish priest one Sunday morning, "Are you God?"
We all recognize fellow Christians who are Christ-like. Mother Teresa comes to mind or John Paul II. Perhaps a minister, a parent, church-goer? We can all picture reasonable facsimiles of Jesus.
Our challenge is to become a recognizable brother or sister of Christ; a twin. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were more like Christ? When was the last time you saw Christ? Hopefully you don't have to think back very far.
As maturing Christians we become more like Christ. Each day we are filled with gratitude for the gifts put into our hands that enable us to work for the Kingdom. Each day we spend time in prayer asking God what our task is for this particular day.
We are linked, actually joined to Christ. Father Brendan McGuire says, "Christ is our vine and we are the branches, but we must make that choice every day not just in the way we talk and use words but in every-day actions."
In an earlier column "The Jesus Nut" I said that recognizing the presence of Jesus in our daily lives is something we are not so good at. But in my experience with the dying, I have found that knowing Christ is present brings the greatest consolation and joy in the final part of their journey.
Those of us who remain behind find peace in Christ's presence and the working of the Holy Spirit. At funeral prayers I have assured grieving families that Christ is present and that we can sing alleluias through our tears.
The same experience is available to us as we travel through this life's sometime "vale of tears". Knowledge of Christ's love and presence gives us the joy of new life and hope as we rebound from life's challenges and setbacks. Like little children, we rise with hope renewed each new morning of our lives.
Once we encounter Christ, live his gospel in our lives and love him in others, people are more likely to recognize us as Christians. Collectively we are the body of Christ on earth.
Three proofs: St Augustine, "You are what you eat" in the Eucharist; Jesus, "My brothers and sisters are those who do the will of my Father" (Matthew 12:50); and Genesis - we are made in the image of God.
