Something Is Missing

Have you ever thought that if you had gotten that perfect job, had enough money or secured that special relationship, that you would be completely happy?

I believe we have all been given reason to think that; with some actually receiving what they wished. However, as time passes, there seems to be something more that is needed to maintain that happiness we seek. It is as though we are, somewhat, constantly unsatisfied.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, whom I have often referred to in my writing, has inspired, entertained, and instructed millions of people who heard him preach. He is the author of over seventy books. Archbishop Sheen died in 1979 at the age of eighty-four. His career-including television, radio, preaching and writing-has endeared him to an international audience. His best known books include: Life Of Christ, The World’s First Love, and  his autobiography, Treasure In Clay.

His weekly TV program, “Life Is Worth Living,” was so popular that it drew larger audiences than the very popular “Milton Berle Show,” which was in the same time slot, but on a different network. On one occasion Archbishop Sheen was invited to make a guest appearance on the Berle show. That night Milton Berle said he was assured of the top rating, seeing that Archbishop Sheen was on Berle’s show, and not his own.

Archbishop Sheen received an Emmy Award, in 1952, for his TV program. As he waited to be presented his award,  he observed that the previous recipients were thanking their producers, writers, etc. When it was his turn to receive his award he said; “As my fellow recipients have done before me, I would like to thank my writers, who have made this award possible; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.” His wisdom was surpassed only by his keen wit.

I believe Archbishop Sheen can be of help to us here. Following is one of his inspiring and insightful writings that answers the puzzling human condition of elusive satisfaction.

“A Missing Piece Of Your Heart”

This human heart of yours is not perfect in shape as a valentine heart. There’s a small piece missing out of the side of your heart and out of every heart. That is the piece that was torn out of the universal heart of humanity on the cross. When God made your heart and every other heart, he found it so good that he kept a small sample of it in heaven and then sent the rest of it into the world where it would try to fill up all the love it could, but where it would never be really happy, never totally in love, never able to love anyone with a whole heart because it hasn’t a whole heart to love with. It will never be happy until it goes back again to God to recover that piece that he has been keeping for it from all eternity.