Pope Francis officially opens the Holy Door and the “Jubilee Year” with the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.” His Holiness declares this Jubilee Year as part of the tradition of the Universal Church every 25 years. The aim is to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages for which the Vatican is expecting thousands of faithful visiting Rome. The faithful will be encouraged to repent of their sins, forgive sins of others, and to undergo renewal focusing on spiritual life. According to Pope Francis, “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainly by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and farsighted vision.”
St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral will officially open this event in the diocese with the celebration of the Mass on December 29, 2024, at 11:30 am, followed by the procession of the Jubilee Cross from Our Lady of Wisdom Parish on N. Virginia Street to the Cathedral. The Jubilee Cross will be venerated by all pilgrims throughout the year until the formal closing of the Jubilee Year on the Feast Day of the Epiphany, January 6, 2026.
Today’s epistle, taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, speaks of our identity in Christ and in the Kingdom of God. St. Paul is writing this letter to clarify the gospel to gentile Christians with whom this had been shared but was not enough. They have been instructed that even gentile Christians are part of God’s plan, therefore, expected to live it out. God had promised to Abraham that this was for all nations, not only for a single nation, meaning God’s kingdom has a greater scope, and it is universal. Thus, like the Galatians, we can find our place in all biblical stories and our identity which is very relevant to us. First, our knowledge that we are slaves due to sin. We identify ourselves by the standards of the world, conforming to social media, which we are quick to believe rather than the gospel truth. Second, easily influenced by non-believers, allowing to accept their opinions and beliefs. That was exactly what the gentiles at the time of St. Paul are dealing with. Third, we believe to be heirs and yet making ourselves as a standard. What is left behind is an internal struggle and emptiness.
St. Paul says, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son….to redeem….that we might receive adoption as sons and daughters.” This is a proclamation of St. Paul that our true identity is this – we are adopted sons and daughters of God. This is really good news. The Holy Spirit brings joy that truly allows us to love and worship our Father. We cry out, Abba! Father! We respond this way, because we ourselves are loved. We are beloved. Henri Nouwen says, “Being the Beloved expresses the core truth of our existence”. We have been adopted, and this means that we have been given our true identity, which is Beloved. As Hosea 2:23 says – “Those who were not my people, (slaves) I will call my people, and her who were not beloved, I will call beloved.” Becoming heirs of the kingdom and ourselves are not standards any longer, but the One who offered Himself given dominion and called to bear God’s image. Our identity becomes the Beloved, because we have been adopted. In God’s redemptive work, He has adopted us and called us heirs so that we could live into this calling once again. Though we were once slaves, we were adopted and called beloved, and we’ve become heirs. This is our identity in the Kingdom of God. Let us rejoice and find great comfort in this truth.
The gospel from St. Luke is about the prophecy of Simeon pointing Jesus as the Child to be the Son of God. “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted.” (v.34). The blessing of Simeon to Mary and Joseph was customary for venerable and holy men to confer. The baby Jesus was directly intended by Almighty God to raise many in Israel from a state of sin and ignorance; He became at the same time the occasion of the fall and ruin of many, who through their own perversity rejected Him and His doctrine.
The Prophet Simeon knows that Jesus is the long-promised Messiah, the glory of God in the flesh, and Jesus will reveal the mercy of God to us all. Our Lord is not only a sign, but He is in reality a Redeemer and a Savior.
The Prophetess Anna praises and rejoices to give thanks to God because she knows that the birth of Jesus manifests salvation which will lead to the rising and restoration of God’s holy people and the whole creation. The Prophetess Anna kept this profound hope on the Goodnews of salvation and redemption brought about by the birth of Jesus.
Today, Simeon’s blessings and the praise and thanksgiving of the Prophetess Anna are also for us to listen to and seriously take to heart so that Hope is hurriedly given to each of us. We firmly adhere that through Mary and Joseph, we know what is coming our way. We are pilgrims of great Hope, getting our hopes up that this or that will come through, without considering that what comes along could be something that will leave us in despair. Jesus, the holy Child, will bear our grief and carry our sorrows. He will willingly bear our burden and freely carry the sins of the world. In His love, you are healed, raised up, restored, and renewed. It is because this holy Child, Jesus, having come into the world, is everything needed for our salvation. I believe Jesus has been destined to raise those who trust in Him; thus, let us search and find Him and we shall live.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
