Reflection by Rev. Msgr. Joseph Reilly, S.T.L., Ph.D.
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I remember my first year in major seminary reading the novel, called Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. The book takes its title from Habakkuk 3:19 – “the Lord is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon high places.”
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It’s a beautiful story about the faith journey, moving from immaturity and fear to deep love and trust in God, and all that God can do for us if we allow him. When I first read the book, I was on my own in a new country, new language, and new seminary. It resonated with my experience at the time, and to this day brings joy and lightness to my heart, grateful for all that Jesus has done and continues to bring forth in my life.
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Recalling this story brought to mind an expression I came across recently in a book of meditations that I am reading: Love is never static. As much as you, or I, might enjoy the status quo, and perhaps wish things would remain ever so, God is constantly drawing us deeper into the mystery of his love. He calls us out of our comfort zones and invites us to trust in him, in his plan, in his way. Fear holds us back and keeps us from making a change which may take us into the unknown. Why would we ever want to do that?
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Because love is not static. It grows daily by the choices we make to follow Him who calls to communion. Each day, our love grows - or it shrivels and withers as it turns in on itself. Christian love is not static.
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The whole Season of Lent is a reminder of the nature of love, the dynamic and life-giving power of the love of God in Christ Jesus. It’s a call for you and me to allow his light to illuminate all the darkness in our lives - the fears and hesitations, the sluggishness and sin, the restlessness, and resentments.
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Love is not static. May these days be for each of us an encounter with the dynamism of God’s love.
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“Please plant the seed here in my heart.”
(Hannah Hurnard- Hinds’ Feet on High Places)
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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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