When you peel off the layers of husks, what remains of you? - Daily Bible Reflections April 8, 2014

WHAT REMAINS OF   YOU?   “Who are you?”– John 8:25          We had this exercise in the pastoral counseling course I took. We were asked to imagine ourselves as coconut husks. As we imagined peeling off the layers of husk, we were invited to think of who we are to the world or the people around us.        As I followed our priest-professor’s instructions, I identified myself as a business owner, a loyal friend, a trustworthy daughter, a dependable sister, a child of God, and so on. It took an effort to remove the husk that represented the hats that I wore in life. Because each time I removed one layer of the husk, or one role I had in life, I felt my self-worth diminish. Until there was only one identity left — a child of God — and this was something that could not be taken away from me.        From the exercise, I learned an important life lesson: that our real identity comes from our being a child of God, not from the roles we play in life. Since then, each time I take on a role, I remind myself:        “Tess, you are not your role. You are worth more than your role. You are God’s beloved child.” Tess V. Atienza (svp_tvatienza@yahoo.com)   Reflection: When you peel off the layers of husks, what remains of you?   Lord Jesus, please remind me to always anchor my life on You.   St. Julie Billiart, pray for us.