Devotions

Jubilee Year of Mercy

The Jubilee year has begun!

Cry aloud and Celebrate

If you do not understand this whole "jubilee year" stuff, you are not alone.

Let's learn together and prepare to receive the Graces God is pouring out

at this special time.

For those of us who lived during the pontificate of John Paul II,

Jubilee years may seem normal

but they are not.

Jubilee Years are a big deal and should speak to us like the star that attracted the attention

Magi and set their feet on the journey to worship the newborn king.

Biblical History - The Jubilee year - The 50th year. This was a big deal in the Old Testament and we should take note. The 50th year is the year that follows 7x7 years. That last year before everything was restored, yes . . . restored. (See Leviticus 25:10) Things were put back as they were supposed to be. Slaves were set free, family land went back to the family and debts were forgiven. To not abide by the jubilee was to disobey God and the result was captivity. That is a big consequence. Just like hebrew slavery in Egypt, sometime we in our action enslave ourselves and we need Our Savior.

In the Christian tradition, the first Pope to declare a jubilee year was Pope Boniface in year 1300. The jubilees that followed were at different spans of time seeming to appeal to the idea that everyone should experience a year of jubilee but that the difficulty of life and the short life span made 50 years unavailable to the average person. Consistent was the theme of "opening the doors" to pilgrims, encouraging a return to sacramental life especially confession and the granting of a plenary indulgence for those meeting the particular criteria.

The Great Jubilee - 2000

Pope John Paul II called for A Great Jubilee in anticipation for the year 2000. The prayer was as follows:

Blessed are you, Father, who, in your infinite love, gave us your only-begotten Son.

He became our companion on life’s path and gave new meaning to our history,

the journey we make together in toil and suffering, in faithfulness and love.

By your grace, O Father may the Jubilee Year be a time of deep conversion and of joyful return to you. May it be a time of reconciliation between people, and of peace restored among nations,

a time when swords are beaten into ploughshares and the clash of arms gives way to songs of peace.

Father, grant that we may live this Jubilee Year docile to the voice of your spirit, faithful to the way of Christ. Father, by the power of the Spirit, strengthen the Church’s commitment to the new evangelization and

guide our steps along the pathways of the world.

To you, Almighty Father, be praise and honor and glory now and for ever.

Amen

During The Great Jubilee, Pope John Paul II called on countries to forgive the debt of other nations. There was an especially strong call for 1st world nations like the United States to forgive the debt of 3rd world nations. Consider the blessings that would have come had leaders of the world headed the Pope's call. Read the Jubilee Bull of John Paul II by clicking on the following link- https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2JUBIL.HTM

Additionally, Pope John Paul II asked forgiveness and mercy for the Church and the individuals represented by the Church in the errors and evils during Christian history. Documentation indicates that Pope John Paul II was anticipating the blessing awaiting the Church and her people from the early years of his pontificate.