The Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica was opened by Pope Francis on Christmas Eve to begin the Jubilee Year of 2025. We enter the Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. In his Christmas Day message, Pope Francis recalled, “the door of God’s heart is always open; let us return to him. Let us return to the heart that loves us and forgives us.”
Today, we are called to manifest this Trinitarian Love, that we recognise at work in each of us, and among us, and so ‘participate with others in the Holy Spirit’s Mission of Love in our world’ (Gen Chap ‘21)
In this Jubilee Year, we are invited on our own journey in which we become “tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind” (Spes non confundit.) The difference between a pilgrim and a traveller is openness to God. A pilgrim seeks God not just in their ultimate destination but in all that they encounter along the way.
We are daily faced with the challenges of poverty, injustice, violence, and the destruction of the environment. The emptier the person’s heart is, the more he or she needs things to buy, own and consume. It becomes almost impossible to have a genuine sense of the common good. (L S) The gift of Hope is greatly needed in our world. Hope is transformative. It widens our vision and fills our hearts, inspires our imagination and creativity, strengthens our resolve and helps us examine our lifestyle and strive to live differently.
Reflections: We can all be Pilgrims of Hope walking together, so let’s start our journey right now! Pope Francis says: “By our actions, our words, the decisions we make each day, our patient efforts to sow seeds of beauty and kindness wherever we find ourselves, we want to sing of hope….and reawaken in every heart the joy and courage to embrace life to the full.”
Read and reflect Luke 4:16-21 – The Mission of Jesus, His Mission, is also our mission … We know the world is facing many challenges, we can join millions of people in this Jubilee Year to bring the light of hope and the message of God’s love to every part of the world
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind…. “
Reflect quietly Psalm 18. The Beauty of Creation
The heavens proclaim the glory of God, and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands. Day unto day takes up the story, and night unto night makes known the message….
Using all our senses, take time to contemplate a sunset or a rainbow; watch children at play; listen to the birds; gaze at a flower, a butterfly, feel the warmth of the sun, taste an orange.
Suggestions / Actions:
– Let’s consider how we can be Pilgrims of Hope in our families, our communities, our parishes and schools and within the wider world in this Jubilee Year?
– Examine how my life choices impact creation and the poor? How can I turn away from a throwaway culture and instead stand in solidarity with the poor, the vulnerable, those overlooked in society?
– I ask for the grace to see creation as God does – in all its splendour and suffering. Where did I notice or feel God’s presence in creation today?
Prayer:
Father, we praise you with all your creatures. They came from your all-powerful hand; they are yours, filled with your presence and tender love. Praise and glory be to you. Amen
Lent: week 5
Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation
Laudato si Commission: Sr. Dympna Connelly, England