Reflection by Rev. Msgr. Joseph Reilly, S.T.L., Ph.D.
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My ride to the doctor’s office this early morning was more eventful than I had anticipated. Shortly into my trip, I encountered an individual who was zealously displaying her religious fervor on the roadside. She was holding up and waving a hand-written sign that encouraged me (and all other passers-by) to “Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!” and, to increase our sense of urgency; the sign proclaimed: “He’s coming back soon, so make sure you’re ready!” I’m not sure if she was satisfied with my response, but I gave her a “thumbs up” and continued on my way. Several minutes later, on the highway, I drove up to a transportation van with an enormous sign in the back window with one word: “Blessing.” It turns out that the company name on the side of the van was Blessing Transportation. Maybe God was trying to get a message through?
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The pace of life can seem nonstop. Even early morning life can be hectic – kids walking to school, cars busily making their way to work, commercial vehicles plowing on to their destinations—life on the move. Busy folks busying themselves, rushing along the way of daily living. All the while, God is showing his face to us and beckoning us to pay attention. A good Lenten reminder, indeed, now halfway through the Holy Season.
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I recently read a meditation on the “zeal of Christ.” The kind of zeal that takes us over, that moves us to spend ourselves for Christ, to be used up for God’s purposes, to let His Name be known and praised. I’ve never considered positioning my pulpit on the side of the road. At the same time, I wonder if my faith life could be described as ardently enthusiastic like the “zealot” I passed earlier today.
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Perhaps the lesson to ponder at this midpoint is how we can often ignore the message – because we’ve long before canceled the messenger – on the side of the road; among our family and friends, within our own hearts or even from the Cross. Jesus’ face is gazing down upon each one of us with tender mercy.
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May the second half of Lent stir our hearts to faith and bring to completion in our lives the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. The power of his message is undying and eternal.
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Rev. Msgr. Joseph Reilly, S.T.L., Ph.D., Vice Provost for Academics and Catholic Identity Seton Hall University and Rector/Dean Emeritus, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. He holds a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, a licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) from Pontificio Istituto Teresianum, Rome, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Fordham University. He has served as a member of the Archdiocesan Priest Personnel Board, the Advisory Committee on Continuing Education and Ongoing Formation of Priests, the Archdiocesan Vocations Board, and the Board of Trustees of Seton Hall University. Pope John Paul II named him a Chaplain to His Holiness in 2005, with the title of Reverend Monsignor. In 2016 during the Holy Year of Mercy, the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization sought priests who were living signs "of the Father's welcome to all those in search of His forgiveness." He was the only priest from the Archdiocese of Newark formally commissioned as a Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis.
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