By Fr Stephan Alexander
General Manager, CCSJ and AMMR
In most of our parishes, announcements will soon begin inviting worshippers to engage in a profound spiritual journey, pursuant to Pope Francis’ declaration of 2025 as a Jubilee Year.
The theme for this Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope, beckons the faithful to embrace a deeper understanding of their faith and to engage in acts that reflect the very essence of the gospel.
In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis designated 2024 as a ‘Year of Prayer’ urging a particular focus on the Lord’s Prayer that God’s will be done “on earth as it is in Heaven”.
Central to this spiritual journey is the call to social justice—a principle deeply rooted in the tradition of the Jubilee.
The concept of the Jubilee Year is not merely a relic of ancient times but a living, breathing tradition that speaks directly to our contemporary world. Originating from the Old Testament, the Jubilee Year was instituted to restore social equilibrium, ensuring that justice and mercy permeated every aspect of society. Every 50th year, debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and land was returned to its original owners (Lev 25:8–55).
This biblical mandate was designed to prevent the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few and to protect the dignity and rights of the marginalised. This was a time for renewing justice and mercy within the community.
Pope Francis, with his profound understanding of the intersection between faith and social issues, calls us to reflect on this ancient tradition and its relevance today. In a world fraught with economic disparity, social injustice, and environmental degradation, the 2025 Jubilee serves as a clarion call for Catholics to embody the principles of justice, mercy, and solidarity in their daily lives.
At the heart of Jubilee is the recognition of the inherent dignity of every human person. This dignity, a cornerstone of Catholic Social Teaching, demands that we actively work to rectify injustices that undermine the well-being of individuals and communities. The Jubilee invites us to examine our own lives and to seek ways to contribute to a more just and equitable world.
One of the most tangible expressions of this commitment is through acts of charity and mercy. As pilgrims of hope, we are called to reach out to those who suffer, to the poor, the marginalised, and the oppressed.
This is not merely a call to temporary relief but to transformative action that addresses the root causes of injustice. By engaging in works of mercy—feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and visiting the imprisoned—we participate in the redemptive mission of Christ, who came to bring good news to the poor and freedom to the captives (Lk 4:18).
The 2025 Jubilee also challenges us to consider our relationship with creation. Pope Francis, in his encyclical Laudato Si’, emphasised the interconnectedness of all creation and called for an ecological conversion.
The Jubilee Year provides an opportunity to reflect on our stewardship of the Earth and to take concrete steps towards sustainable living. By addressing environmental degradation and advocating for policies that protect our common home, we fulfil our responsibility to future generations and uphold the principles of justice and care for creation.
Moreover, the Jubilee is a time for fostering reconciliation and healing. In a world divided by conflict and strife, the message of forgiveness and mercy is more relevant than ever.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, central to the Jubilee experience, invites us to seek forgiveness for our own failings and to extend forgiveness to others. This act of mercy has the power to heal relationships and to build bridges of understanding and peace.
As we prepare to journey through the Jubilee Year, let us be mindful of the words of Pope Francis, who reminds us that “mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope.”
The 2025 Jubilee is not just a time for personal renewal but a communal call to action. It is an invitation for Catholics to be at the forefront of promoting social justice, advocating for the marginalised, and working towards a more just and compassionate society.
The Jubilee Year of 2025 offers us a unique opportunity to live out the gospel in concrete ways by actively engaging in works of mercy and justice. As we become pilgrims of hope, let us embrace the call to social justice, recognising that our faith demands action in the face of injustice.
May this 2025 Jubilee inspire us to be agents of mercy and justice, reflecting the love of Christ in a world in desperate need of healing and hope.
The CCSJ asks for your support. Please donate:
Catholic Commission for Social Justice
Account #: 290 458 025 501
Bank: Republic Bank Ltd.
or you can contact us at:
admin.ccsj@catholictt.org