The Jubilee year has always been a time of renewal, forgiveness, and restoration, deeply rooted in the biblical tradition. In the Old Testament, it was a time when debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and land was returned to its rightful owners (Leviticus 25). It symbolized God’s mercy and a call to justice, inviting people to realign their lives with His divine plan. The Jubilee takes on an even deeper significance when seen through the light of the Resurrection of Christ, which is our ultimate source of hope and new beginnings.
The True Jubilee
As we approach the celebration of the Resurrection, which is the cornerstone of our Christian faith, and is the greatest act of liberation in history, we are reminded that Christ’s victory over death is not just a historical event; it is a living reality that continues to transform the life of those who are willing to open their hearts to the love of Christ.
Through His Resurrection, Jesus proclaims a new era of grace. The chains of sin are broken, and humanity is invited into a restored relationship with the living God. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the Jubilee’s promise: A restoration that transcends material possessions, reaching into the core of our existence, where we are rescued from corruption and the divine image within humanity, once marred by original sin, is restored.
A Call to Renewed Faith and Mission
The hope found in the Resurrection calls each of us to embrace the spirit of the Jubilee in our daily lives. As we celebrate a Jubilee year of Hope, we are reminded that our faith is not static—it is a journey of constant renewal (Ref. Pt 1: 6-7). The empty tomb is an invitation to leave behind our burdens and step into the light of Christ’s victory.
In practical terms, living the Jubilee of the Resurrection means embracing mercy and reconciliation. It challenges us to forgive as we have been forgiven, to restore relationships, and to work for justice and peace in our communities. The Resurrection assures us that no situation is beyond God’s power to redeem. It is a message of hope for a world burdened by suffering, conflict, and division.
The Church of the Holy Land as a Witness to Hope
In times of turmoil, while the world may falter in despair, the Church stands firm in hope, anchored in the victory of Christ over evil through His sacrifice on the Cross. This unwavering hope calls us to reflect His light and share the joy of the Resurrection with others. We are entrusted with the mission of offering comfort to the grieving, lifting the gaze of those who have fallen into despair, and reminding them of the transformative possibilities that arise when we repent, pray, and earnestly seek God. Like the Good Samaritan, we are called to be a source of compassion and healing to those around us.
In his homily during the Feast of the Annunciation, H.B. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, reminded us that “God has inhabited our history, our time, our human condition…” and that He “is still guiding time and history today”. He called on the faithful to resubmit their will to God with the words “Here I am”, in the example of the Virgin whose “Here I am” changed the course of the world’s history. He said: “God enters history discreetly and seeks the meek, free, humble, and open hearts. God needs our 'Here I am”, meek people who can say and be a different word of life and hope in the world”.
Pope Francis has often emphasized that the Jubilee is not just about celebration; it is about conversion and mission. The Resurrection compels us to go forth, to witness to the Risen Christ in our words and actions. It is a call to build a world where God’s mercy and justice reign.
Hope in God and not in Man
"We should not confuse hope with waiting for better times," noted H.B. Cardinal Pizzaballa during his homily. While acknowledging our deep yearning for a time when justice and peace reign among humanity, the Word of God informs us that our time on earth is filled with trials and suffering. Yet, our hope lies in Emmanuel, "God with us," meaning that even in the depths of our pain and trials, we are never alone. He is right there with us, he sees us, fully aware of what each of us is feeling and strengthens us to endure.
Our hope also comes from the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who accompanies us on our journey. Cardinal Pizzaballa emphasized, "Our hope does not depend on the actions of men, it does not depend on the decisions of the powerful, it is not the result of human endeavor…Our hope springs from our encounter with the Lord Jesus…We must encounter Him again in order to start anew from Christ. Only in this way, in the steadfast companionship of Christ, will we be able to live this time without being carried away by feelings of hatred, resentment, and fear”.
A Jubilee That Never Ends
As we embrace the Jubilee during our Easter celebrations this year, let us do so with hearts full of hope, trusting that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in our lives today. The Resurrection is our eternal Jubilee—a promise that no darkness can overcome the light of Christ, and that darkness is not dark for those in whom the light of the World lives in them ( Ref. Jn. 1:5 & Ps. 139: 12).
