Reflection by Rev. Msgr. Joseph Reilly, S.T.L., Ph.D.
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Ever since I was a seminarian, I have had a framed picture in my room. It is an image from the facade of Chartres Cathedral in France. Carved in stone, it is the depiction of the creation of Adam. In stunning and captivating detail, the artist captures the dynamic movement with hands of the Son of God wrapped around the face of Adam, whose head appears to be resting on the lap of our Divine Savior. There is an evident peace in the face of Adam and genuine delight in the face of the Lord. To this day, this image moves me to pray in grateful remembrance of my own participation in God’s ongoing creative work.
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The responsory for Sunday Evening Prayer II of Week Three in the Liturgy of the Hours (which is another name for the Divine Office that priests and deacons pray each day consecrating each of the moments of the day to the Lord) comes to mind as I gaze upon this powerful image:
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“The world was created by the Word of God,
recreated by his redemption,
and it is continually renewed by his love.”
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Our world, my world and yours, is continually renewed by God’s love. We see it, hear it and experience it in palpable manner during this week more than any other. During Holy Week we are reminded yet again of what God’s love does, always. God’s love mends. “Love mends, love purges, love washes. God’s love never gives up on us.” (Mother Mary Francis, PCC)
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“Giving up” and “giving in” might well characterize our efforts as our Lenten journey is coming to an end in a few short days. If we focus upon ourselves, this may certainly be the case. By now, however, the Church in her liturgy and prayers, is directing us to Jesus Christ and to consider with deep reverence and concern his manner of loving – steadfast and wholehearted. His utter self-forgetfulness is a perfect example of unselfish love. Jesus gives himself for us in loving sacrifice.
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And as we witness and experience the depths of God’s love during these most sacred days, we are invited to embrace our Lord’s manner of loving and make it our own – to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and continue this renewal where we live and work and worship. This is a great week of opportunity for growing in holiness. This is a week of tremendous graces.
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Looking at this image even as I write, my heart is filled with joy – that all of us, like Adam, are being held in the hands of our Savior, our faces caressed by his tender embrace. In Him is all our hope, all our joy, all we truly need. Amen.
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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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