Homily of His Excellency Msgr Selim Sfeir Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope.” – Pope Francis, Spes Non Confundit Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee 2025
Every 25 years, (the most recent being the year 2000) the Catholic Church celebrates a Jubilee year, a year which emphasis the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation. On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, a sign both physical and spiritual. The door of God’s Mercy is open to everyone.
Pope Francis has asked that the theme of this Jubilee be one of hope. We all need hope. As we struggle along, trying to follow Our Lord, it may happen that we get very discouraged and pessimistic about our failures and our sins. Discouragement can turn into despair so easily. This Jubilee is a time of great grace then in which we can turn to the Lord with renewed confidence.
In the time of the ancient Hebrews, the Jubilee year was a way forward economically. Accumulated debt with compound interest became unrepayable. The economy freezes under such massive debt. The Jubilee year (which only occurred every 50 years for the Jews) was therefore a time for debt forgiveness and to restart the economy by freeing the poor from debt slavery.
Let us therefore approach this Jubilee with faith and creativity. We all have a spiritual debt because of our sins. Let’s celebrate this year by imagining a more just society by making a special effort to apply Catholic social teaching to our daily lives. Debt is how human beings are manipulated and exploited. By exercising the virtue of hope during this year, we can spread the family warmth of our Christian faith by exercising the virtue of justice and charity.
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2547
The Lord grieves over the rich because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods. “Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Abandonment to the Providence of the Father in Heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow. Trust in God is a preparation for the blessedness of the poor. They shall see God.”
+Selim Sfeir
Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus