This is the "Pilgrims of Hope" Jubilee year. This year, ending on Epiphany 2026, is a time of special grace. It is a time to be open to receive all that our merciful Lord has for us this year and to pray with the church for God's favor upon us and on the whole world.
Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR gives an historical background.
In the Old Testament there were four central features of Jubilee: slaves were set free, debts were forgiven, people returned home, and there was time for rest and recreation. These features can be a guide on how to enter into and experience Jubilee in our own lives.
To what am I enslaved? What are those habitual sins, addictions, distractions that keep me from being truly free? What is it that keeps frustrating or annoying me? These are the encumbrances I need to bring to the Lord. Ask to walk in greater freedom. Be set free and rejoice.
Forgiveness of debt. Am I holding on to grudges and resentments toward those who have hurt me? Ask the Lord, "Whom do I still need to forgive?" Maybe a parent? A brother or sister? Or even an organization of some kind by whom I may have been unfairly treated. Ask for an extra measure of grace to forgive, to let go, to be healed. Forgive and rejoice.
Forgiveness of debt. Am I holding on to grudges and resentments toward those who have hurt me? Ask the Lord, "Whom do I still need to forgive?" Maybe a parent? A brother or sister? Or even an organization of some kind by whom I may have been unfairly treated. Ask for an extra measure of grace to forgive, to let go, to be healed. Forgive and rejoice.
Come home. Jubilee is time to connect more deeply to God as our Father and to one another as sisters and brothers. How can I strengthen those bonds? In the Old Testament people returned to the temple. How can I return to the church to more actively worship, to more actively participate in fellowship and ministry? Be with the family of God and rejoice.
Finally, rest and recreation. In Old Testament times during Jubilee people did not travel away from home and they did not engage in work. Even the lands were not tilled to be allowed "to rest." For sure, in our busy lives we need rest. How can we enter into rest to be recharged and renewed? Maybe it means taking breaks from social media, or from TV programs, or from scrolling our phones. Maybe it means purposely planning for a Sabbath/Sunday day of rest from weekly activities. (Even God rested on the seventh day of creation. Gen 2:2.) How can I use this space in my schedule for healthy leisure time? Rest and rejoice.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has a helpful resource for Jubilee 2025.
“Open our souls to the working of the Holy Spirit, that he may soften the hardness of our hearts, that enemies may speak to each other again, adversaries may join hands,
and peoples seek to meet together.” Pope Francis
and peoples seek to meet together.” Pope Francis
Well, today, after I wrote this, I broke my phone. I think there's a message in that for me!
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