Dear Friend, 

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Reflection by Rev. Msgr. Joseph Reilly, S.T.L., Ph.D.

For years now, my peaceful drive to the parish for Sunday Mass has been disturbed and disrupted by the same thing. Every time. Every week. It’s a sign for a non-denominational church that I pass along my route. On the one hand, I find it inspiring that the parking lot is full and neighboring streets – packed with cars. They must be doing something right! Their parishioners seem dedicated and faithful. But the name on the sign reads: “Winners Chapel.” 

My first thought each time is – that’s not for me! I don’t feel worthy to enter such a place. Part of me wonders if Jesus would refer to himself by such a name. Savior, yes. Lord, indeed. Brother and friend, thankfully. But winner, I’m not as convinced.

I believe my hesitation stems from the way we sometimes see the notions of success and failure. The importance of success and striving to be successful is ingrained in us from an early age. How to succeed in life is our central lesson. We’re told by many that this is what gives life meaning and purpose. Subtly or directly, the message sinks in – success is the only thing that really matters.

But the life and message of Christ offer perhaps a different perspective. For Jesus himself, as well as those who call themselves his followers, what many would consider a failure (death on a cross) would lead to a glorious resurrection morning. His Paschal Mystery is completed as the passion and death lead to the resurrection. The world, created by God, would be recreated through the power of Jesus’ own triumph over death. In and through Jesus Christ, failure is transformed into success, and we are called to embrace this mystery and make it our own.

Perhaps it may be helpful now as we make our way to the end of our Lenten journey to recall the manner and mindset in which we set out. Our first steps were made in the spirit of Metanoia, the changing of our minds, our way of thinking. So, if our understanding of life is merely about building upon our successes, maybe we need to “rethink” how we incorporate failure in our daily life and experience. Could it be that how we see failure is actually at the heart of our Lenten journey?

“I can’t do it!”  “I’m not able to make it!” “I don’t have what it takes!”

Admitting failure and surrendering to our inadequacies before the demands of life is not simply about me and how and where I fall short. In faith, it is also about making space for God. About letting God in.

The work of salvation, of reordering and ridding self of self, of learning to love as God does, is most powerfully accomplished through the dyings, the letting go. And admitting to failure. It is only then when we come face to face not with a winner, but a loving Lord and dear Savior, Our Brother Jesus, whose merciful gaze saves and restores us – and brings us to life!

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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.