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By Kim Ae-ran
"My Other Self: Conversations with Christ on Living Your Faith" is a spiritual classic written by Clarence Joseph Enzler (1910-1976). This book was first published in 1940 under the title of "My Other Self in which Christ speaks to the soul on living His Life." Since then, it has become a steady seller, and its Korean translation also came out in 2015.
Modeled on the 15th-century classic "The Imitation of Christ" (Following the Christ) by Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), this inspirational book helps Christians today hear the voice of Christ who addresses readers personally as "my other self."
Through a creative, devout and profound dialogue between Jesus and readers, Clarence Enzler leads us to go through the journey of the Christian life, beginning with the call to live in friendship with Christ and fulfill His holy desire. Written in the form of a dialogue between Jesus and readers, "My Other Self" urges us to embody God's love and compassion for others.
The book is divided into three parts: the call, the means and the end. The first part invites us to live in friendship with Christ, ultimately leading to change in our lives. The second part leads us to discover the graces and tools we need to grow closer to Christ, such as detachment, virtue, humility, prayer, the Eucharist and Mass, sacrifice and the avoidance of sin. The third part invites us to learn where this journey with Christ will take us and the eternal joys that await us.
Each chapter includes short but eloquent and devotional meditations on scripture and prayers. The goal of the journey is a life of union with Christ and complete joy in eternity. The key point of this book is faith that helps us to build an intimate relationship with God. All in all, the Christian life is a life of faith that trusts in Jesus who gave himself for us and who will never stop loving us.
Born in 1910 in Dubuque, Iowa, Clarence J. Enzler studied at Columbia University and held a doctorate in Sociology from the Catholic University of America. He was always a spiritual person who thought about the priesthood before he met his wife.
He struggled with being a stutterer but he eventually overcame the speech impediment while raising a family. For 32 years from 1937 to 1972, he worked full-time as a speechwriter in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He wrote speeches for eight different secretaries of agriculture under six different presidents.
Being a prolific author, he wrote four religious books and reflections in his spare time. He is best known for his classic Lenten devotional booklet "Everyone's Way of the Cross," which was first published in 1970.
He was ordained a deacon in the Archdiocese of Washington in 1972 and had the privilege of giving the homily at his priest son's first Mass in 1973. Enzler and his wife Kathleen Crowley Enzler had thirteen children. Enzler served in St. Mary, Mother of God Catholic Church in Washington until his death in 1976 at age 66.
"My Other Self" is much more than a meditation on Christian living and a discursive monologue by Jesus. With the mysterious, gentle and compassionate voice of Christ, it can be steady reassurance and advice for a confused and anxious world filled with various crises.
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul. When available, please feel free to visit her blog, "A piece of sunshine," at mtorchid88.blogspot.com.
