CatholicTT Community learns “Origins of the Jubilee Year”: EP 2

Practical Expressions of Hope
As the Catholic Church prepares for the Jubilee Year 2025, the chosen theme Pilgrims of Hope was the subject of Episode 2 of the Jubilee 2025 series on Trinity TV. This theme was explored in depth by Fr Don Chambers and a panel of young Catholics, shedding light on its significance in today’s challenging world.

Fr Chambers placed the theme in the context of current global challenges. He noted that the Church is experiencing “missionary storm surges due to the hurricane winds of change,” citing issues such as recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts in Haiti, political polarisation in Venezuela, rising crime and violence, stronger hurricanes and earthquakes, and the effects of climate change.
Within the Church itself, Fr Chambers highlighted challenges including financial difficulties, shortage of vocations, declining congregations, and the imposition of outside ideologies related to sexuality and human relationships.
Despite these challenges, Fr Chambers emphasised that the Jubilee Year is “an opportunity to be renewed in hope.” He explained that Christian hope is rooted in God’s love and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, stating, “Christian hope does not deceive or disappoint because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing and no one may ever separate us from God’s love.”
Biblical origins

To understand the biblical origins of the Jubilee as a year of hope, Fr Chambers turned to Leviticus 25:2–5, which outlines provisions for the land to be renewed: “Then shall the land keep a sabbath or a year of rest.”
He explained that after six years of sowing, pruning, and gathering, the land must lay fallow for one year. This period was a time of thanksgiving and faith that God would provide.

Fr Chambers also referenced Paul’s letter to the Romans, quoting Pope Francis: “Hope will not leave us disappointed, but the love of God has been poured forth in your hearts through the Holy Spirit whom he has given to us.”

Action steps
He outlined several tangible ways to become pilgrims of hope:
• Becoming peacemakers in times of war
• Offering amnesty and pardon for prisoners
• Visiting the sick
• Showing hospitality to exiles and displaced persons
• Reaching out to the elderly
• Accompanying youth facing challenges like drugs and violence
• Feeding those who are afflicted and impoverished

These actions, he explained, are “signs of hope” that communicate that there is “light at the end of the tunnel.”
The young panelists shared their thoughts on what it means to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. Andre Burton emphasised the importance of being a “beacon of hope” for others, particularly in supporting young people facing challenges.

He said, “For me, being a Christian, being a Catholic, I find myself having to hold on to that sense of positivity, of hope for things to become better, for change to occur, and be that source of, like Father Don said, a beacon of hope for others around us.”
Sherrinne Goodridge connected the theme to her motto of letting others “see Christ in me,” highlighting the importance of embodying hope in a world full of negativity.

She explained, “If I could be a person of hope, a pilgrim of hope, a pilgrim of Christ…I think that could help or bring about that hope that all is not lost in society.”

The panel discussed the need for greater awareness and sensitisation about the Church’s teachings on hope and charitable actions. They stressed the importance of personal responsibility in living out the mission of being pilgrims of hope.
Burton suggested, “I think if we could encourage persons who are involved in this type of ministry, to advertise it, put it on social media, let people see that these things are happening and really put it to the forefront and people will probably follow from example.”