Recently I went out with a fellow Oblate and his parents to celebrate our ordination anniversaries. When we arrived, I was surprised to discover that we were actually there to celebrate his mother’s birthday. I was quickly told, “It’s not always about you John.”
There are times when we want things to be about us, our way, our idea, and our plan. We feign openness to another’s idea, but we really want them to affirm us, perhaps pat us on the back. We may not always own up to this, as we perceive others constantly seeking attention, wanting to be the queen of the universe, the king of the world. At times, we may think we are the center of everything.
While driving, I was listening to a lecture (I’m a geek) on Richard Rohr’s idea of our first half of life (building a name, career, credentials) and the second half of life (soul-centered not ego-centered). I cannot remember the exact context, but it probably had to do with stop reaching for this award or that accolade. He simply proclaimed, “You’re not the center of anything, except the heart of God.”
We, you, I are at the CENTER of God’s heart. In that pulsating, life-giving heart of God, we can be found. We marvel at God’s creative action in all the wonders God created, none greater than the human person who possesses God’s very likeness and image. Of all the beauty in this world, the only thing God wants back is us! We come from God and spend our lives returning to God.
We are the CENTER of God’s heart. From this cherished position, God invites us daily into a relationship with Him. We are always in the presence of God. We may leave God’s presence for this want or some fleeting, selfish desire, but God remains waiting, smiling, and loving us. Saint Augustine spoke of this tiny “God-shaped hole,” a place inside our hearts that only God can fill. In another place, he wrote, “You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in you, O Lord.” To realize that, as St. Anselm proclaimed, “the one who nothing greater can be imagined” has us as the CENTER of His heart is absolutely incredible. Stay with this for some time.
If we resonate with this, humbly accept this gift, and live our life from this acknowledgment, I would think our desire to be the center of anything else is meaningless or at least pales in comparison. It leads us to a “letting go” of what we thought mattered to a “falling into” the LOVER known as God who keeps us at the CENTER of His heart. It allows us to see that everyone else enjoys this gift. Then, we can appreciate the dignity of others, all others, no one excluded. But God loving us and we loving God is not enough. St. Francis de Sales explains that the true nature of love is to be ecstatic, to go outside the two lovers, to a third thing which is each other.
We are the CENTER of God’s heart. Own this and let it empower you to embrace the other as God’s center, too. Let go of the differences that too often alienate, judge, demonize, and assure us of being right and just loved. God’s love is infinite and always available. Saint Catherine of Siena had it correct, God is pazzo d’amore, crazy in love with us. To borrow from Prince, “Let’s go crazy, too.” For when we love, we are God-like for GOD IS LOVE.
Fr. John Fisher, OSFS
Pastor
Our Mother of Consolation Parish
Philadelphia, PA
