Father Bob Bazzoli, OSFS, and I were ordained together on June 4th some 34 years ago. His parents and my mom (my dad died too early) would often go out to dinner on Saturday nights when Bob was at St. Joachim Parish and I at Salesianum School. One Saturday, his sisters were interlopers and joined us for dinner on June 4th.
Naturally, I thought we were celebrating the anniversary. When I realized we were celebrating his mom’s birthday, I explained my surprise (I never remembered her birthday) to which one of his sisters exclaimed (jokingly, I hope), “It’s not always about you, John.” Honest mistake.
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 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 a few Sundays ago, 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 relationship. 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 “the one who nothing greater can be imagined,” as Saint Anselm proclaimed, 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, 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. Saint 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, 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.
Father John Fisher, OSFS
Pastor, Our Mother of Consolation Parish
Philadelphia, PA
