God, Me, and the Galaxy
By Fr. Joe Tetlow, SJ
In the morning, my computer screen fills with the image of a far-away golden galaxy, swirling with stars. The image makes me feel how tiny I am, a fleck in the cosmos. And that makes me marvel that God should care about me. But it's our faith. We are clear: though God is busy creating all these swirling galaxies, God is at the same time busy creating each and every single one of us. Personally.
I felt that keenly last Christmas morning with the sun on my face. Mass was full of social distancing, so a big crowd celebrated on the school's football field. The sun was warming the face of every man and woman there, and all the children’s faces, too. And it warmed my face, wonderfully. I felt a little special. As though I were not a speck in this immense swirling galaxy.
That warm light reminded me: To my God, I am not a fleck in the cosmos. He has made Himself clear: you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you. Well, yes, Lord!
When it began clouding up, I thought, if it rains, it will wet all these children. Right; and it will soak me, personally, to the skin. That's God's way. Sun and rain on the good and the bad, Personally. At least in this golden galaxy. Praise Him.
(Oh. It didn't rain.)