“Hope does not disappoint”
Rom 5:5
The Jubilee 2025 invites us to immerse ourselves in the profound mystery of our Christian faith. At its heart lies Christian hope, a virtue that is not simply a superficial wish for better times, but a certainty rooted in Christ, the Victor of the world. This Holy Year calls us to renew our journey as pilgrims, embracing the joy and challenge of being visible witnesses of hope to a lost humanity that often travels paths of uncertainty, loneliness, mistrust, selfishness, and even a lack of meaning.
The importance of being pilgrims of hope.
The word "Pilgrim" resonates strongly in our history of faith. From Abraham (called our father in faith), who obeyed God's call to leave his homeland, to the people of Israel who wandered through the desert toward the Promised Land, and to the first Christians who ventured along unknown paths bringing the Good News. Being pilgrims implies an attitude of movement and trust. The Jubilee reminds us that our very life is a pilgrimage toward the definitive encounter with the Father.
A curious fact about the Jubilee is its historical origin: the tradition of celebrating it every 25 years began in 1300 with Pope Boniface VIII, who proclaimed the first Holy Year, inviting the faithful to make a pilgrimage to Rome and obtain indulgences. Since then, jubilees have been key moments for renewing the faith and unity of the Church, always keeping hope alive amid the challenges of each era.
Being pilgrims of hope means walking not with resignation, much less with nostalgia, but rather with the joy of knowing that He who promised to be with us until the end of time is faithful. In a world where social, economic, and ecological crises generate discouragement, Christians are called to be witnesses of a hope that does not disappoint, because it is rooted in the love of God (cf. Rom 5:5).
Why is hope so necessary today?
We live in times of great change and deep wounds: wars, inequality, climate change, loneliness, and indifference seem to darken our outlook somewhat. In this context, hope appears as a beacon that illuminates the darkness and guides our steps toward a civilization of love and justice.
Pope Francis, in calling for this "Year of Grace" under the motto "Pilgrims of Hope," calls us not to let discouragement or indifference paralyze our hearts. Hope is necessary because it drives us to build, to build bridges, to be artisans of peace and custodians of creation. It is a profound act of resistance against the throwaway culture and selfishness.
How to live the Jubilee in everyday life?
- Prayer and forgiveness: Creating spaces for personal and intimate reflection with God. Sharing that faith with our brothers and sisters is a powerful way to show that mercy transforms.
- Active solidarity: In times of crisis, sharing with those most in need is not only a work of charity, but a testimony of faith that God provides for and cares for all.
- Integral Ecology: Living our commitment to our Common Home by adopting simple and sustainable lifestyles is a way to renew our relationship with creation and with future generations.
- Evangelizing with joy: Hope is also contagious. Being joyful and relatable witnesses can inspire others to seek and find Christ.
The poetry of hope
Hope also has a poetic language, because it touches the deepest fibers of the soul. It is like a river that flows silently and constantly, bringing life where there is drought. It is the melody that the Holy Spirit whispers amid the noise of the world. When we are pilgrims of hope, we learn to read God's presence in the small signs: the embrace of a friend, sincere forgiveness, a kind smile, the beauty of a sunrise, or a friendly word of comfort.
In conclusion, the Jubilee of 2025 is a unique opportunity to rediscover ourselves as pilgrims journeying toward fulfillment, sustained by the hope Christ has given us. At every step, we carry in our hearts the certainty that we are not alone. With our eyes fixed on Jesus and our hands open in service to others, we will truly be light and salt in the world.
May this Holy Year be a time of grace, renewal, and commitment to building a future where hope is the bridge that unites us as brothers and sisters.
