QUÉ ES EL JUBILEO

Mis queridos hermanos quiero aprovechar este segundo domingo de adviento para comentarles que la iglesia católica se está preparando para comenzar el año jubilar 2025 cuyo lema es “Peregrinos de Esperanza”. El 24 de diciembre en una misa solemne el papa Francisco abrirá en el vaticano la puerta santa para dar comienzo al año santo de la esperanza y en nuestra diócesis, la apertura será el 29 de diciembre con una misa solemne que celebrará el obispo Alberto Rojas, en la catedral Nuestra Señora del Rosario en San Bernardino. “Jubileo’ es el nombre de un año particular: parece que deriva del instrumento utilizado para indicar su comienzo; se trata del yobel, el cuerno de carnero, cuyo sonido anuncia el Día de la Expiación (Yom Kippur). Esta fiesta se celebra cada año, pero adquiere un significado particular cuando coincide con el inicio del año jubilar. A este respecto, encontramos una primera idea en la Biblia: debía ser convocado cada 50 años, porque era el año ‘extra’, debía vivirse cada siete semanas de años (cfr. Lev 25,8W13). Aunque era difícil de realizar, se proponía como la ocasión para restablecer la correcta relación con Dios, con las personas y con la creación, y conllevaba el perdón de las deudas, la restitución de terrenos enajenados y el descanso de la tierra.

Citando al profeta Isaías, el evangelio según san Lucas describe de este mismo modo la misión de Jesús: «El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí; porque él me ha ungido. Me ha enviado a evangelizar a los pobres, a proclamar a los cautivos la libertad, y a los ciegos, la vista; a poner en libertad a los oprimidos, a proclamar el año de gracia del Señor» (Lc 4,18W19; cfr. Is 61,1W2). Estas palabras de Jesús se convirtieron también en acciones de liberación y de conversión en sus encuentros y relaciones cotidianos.

Bonifacio VIII, en 1300, convocó el primer Jubileo, llamado también “Año Santo”, porque es un tiempo en el que se experimenta que la santidad de Dios nos transforma. Con el tiempo, la frecuencia ha ido cambiando: al principio era cada 100 años; en 1343 se redujo a 50 años por Clemente VI y en 1470 a 25 años por Pablo II. También hay momentos ‘extraordinarios’: por ejemplo, en 1933, Pío XI quiso conmemorar el aniversario de la Redención y en 2015 el Papa Francisco convocó el año de la Misericordia. También ha sido diferente el modo de celebrar este año: en el origen coincidía con la visita a las Basílicas romanas de san Pedro y san Pablo, por tanto, con la peregrinación, posteriormente se añadieron otros signos, como el de la Puerta Santa. Al participar del Año Santo se obtiene la indulgencia plenaria”. (tomado de www.iubilaeum2025.va). Abramos nuestros corazones para este año sea de crecimiento espiritual y mayor acercamiento a Dios y a nuestros hermanos.

P. Luis Segura M.S.C.

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WHAT IS THE JUBILEE

My dear brothers and sisters, I would like to take advantage of this second Sunday of Advent to tell you that the Catholic Church is preparing to begin the jubilee year 2025, whose motto is “Pilgrims of Hope.” On December 24, in a solemn mass, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door in the Vatican to begin the holy year of hope, and in our diocese, the opening will be on December 29 with a solemn mass celebrated by Bishop Alberto Rojas, in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in San Bernardino. “Jubilee” is the name of a particular year: it seems to derive from the instrument used to indicate its beginning; it is the yobel, the ram’s horn, whose sound announces the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This feast is celebrated every year, but it takes on a particular meaning when it coincides with the beginning of the jubilee year. In this regard, we find a first idea in the Bible: it was to be convened every 50 years, because it was the ‘extra’ year, it was to be lived every seven weeks of years (cf. Lev 25,8W13). Although it was difficult to carry out, it was proposed as an opportunity to reestablish the correct relationship with God, with people and with creation, and it involved the forgiveness of debts, the restitution of alienated lands and the rest of the land.

Quoting the prophet Isaiah, the Gospel according to Saint Luke describes Jesus' mission in the same way: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me. He has sent me to preach the gospel to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Lk 4:18-19; cf. Is 61:1-2). These words of Jesus also became actions of liberation and conversion in his daily encounters and relationships.

In 1300, Boniface VIII called the first Jubilee, also called the “Holy Year,” because it is a time when we experience how God’s holiness transforms us. Over time, the frequency has changed: at first it was every 100 years; in 1343 it was reduced to 50 years by Clement VI and in 1470 to 25 years by Paul II. There are also “extraordinary” moments: for example, in 1933, Pius XI wanted to commemorate the anniversary of the Redemption and in 2015 Pope Francis called for the Year of Mercy. The way of celebrating this year has also been different: originally it coincided with the visit to the Roman Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul, therefore, with the pilgrimage, later other signs were added, such as that of the Holy Door. By participating in the Holy Year, one obtains the plenary indulgence.” (taken from www.iubilaeum2025.va). Let us open our hearts so that this year may be one of spiritual growth and closer proximity to God and to our brothers and sisters.

                                                             Rev. Luis Segura M.S.C.

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Last Sunday, the liturgy invited us to experience the Season of Advent and of anticipation of the Lord with an attitude of vigilance and also of prayer: “be mindful” and “pray”. Today, the Second Sunday of Advent, we are shown how to give substance to this anticipation: by undertaking a journey of conversion, how to make this anticipation concrete. As a guide on this journey, the Gospel presents the figure of John the Baptist who “went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Lk 3:3). To describe the Baptist’s mission, the Evangelist Luke refers to the ancient prophecy of Isaiah which says: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be brought low” (vv. 4- 5).

To prepare the way of the Lord’s coming, it is necessary to take note of the requirements of conversion to which the Baptist invites us. What are these requirements for conversion? First of all, we are called to fill the ‘valleys’ caused by coldness and indifference, opening ourselves to others with the same sentiments as Jesus, that is, with affection and fraternal attention which takes on the needs of our neighbors. To fill the valleys caused by coldness. One cannot have a relationship of love, charity and fraternity with one’s neighbors if there are ‘gaps’ just as one cannot travel a road with many potholes. This requires a change of attitude. And all this should also be done with special attention to the neediest. Then there is the need to curtail the indifference caused by pride and arrogance. How many people, perhaps without realizing it, are proud, are indifferent, lack that kindly relationship. It is necessary to overcome this by making concrete gestures of reconciliation with our brothers and sisters, asking for forgiveness for our faults. It is not easy to reconcile with another. One always thinks: “who will take the first step?”. The Lord helps us in this if we are of good will. Indeed, conversion is complete if it leads us to humbly recognize our errors, our infidelity and failings.

The believer is someone who, by being close to his brothers and sisters, like John the Baptist, opens pathways in the desert, that is, he indicates perspectives of hope, even in those existential contexts that are arduous, marked by failure and defeat. We cannot give up in the face of negative situations of closure and rejection: we must not allow ourselves to succumb to the mentality of the world, because the center of our life is Jesus and his word of light, love and solace. It is He! The Baptist invited the people of his time to conversion, with force, with vigor and with firmness. Nevertheless, he knew how to listen, he knew how to perform gestures of tenderness, gestures of forgiveness toward the multitude of men and women who went to him to confess their sins and to be baptized with the baptism of repentance.

The witness of John the Baptist helps us to go forward in our witness of life. The purity of his proclamation, his courage in proclaiming the truth were able to reawaken the expectation and hope in the Messiah that had long been dormant. Today too, Jesus’ disciples are called to be his humble but courageous witnesses in order to rekindle hope, to make it understood that, despite everything, the Kingdom of God continues to be built day by day with the power of the Holy Spirit. Let each of us ask ourselves: how can I change something in my attitude, in order to prepare the way of the Lord?

May the Virgin Mary help us prepare the way of the Lord, day by day, beginning with ourselves; and to scatter around us with steadfast patience, seeds of peace, justice and fraternity. [Synthesized from Pope Francis, Angelus, 9 XI 18]

Rev. Jos Rajesh Peter M.S.C.

2nd Sunday of Advent – Cycle C

My friends, our gospel today expresses well our Season of Advent.  A time to prepare for the coming of Jesus into our lives in a new way.  Advent indeed is a time of hopeful anticipation… 

In the very first sentence of today’s gospel, Luke sets for us the time and place in world  history when John the Baptist received the word of God began his ministry to announce the coming of Jesus. 

John’s ministry is described by Prophet Isaiah:  “A voice of one crying out in the desert.  Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.  The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

To help us understand, Luke also quoted Isaiah (Isa.40:3-5) to describe John's ministry:  In those days, when the king was planning to visit parts of his kingdom – he would send a messenger ahead to tell the people to prepare the roads for his visit. In this case – the Lord's messenger was John the Baptist – and he wasn't telling the people to make the roads straight.  But the preparation on which he insisted was a preparation of heart and of life.  "The king is coming," he said.  "Mend, not your roads, but your lives."  There is laid on everyone of us the duty to make our life fit for the King to see.

St. John the Baptist lived in the desert wilderness when he prepared the people for the coming of  the Lord.  Yet the people flocked to the desert to hear him preach because he preached a message of mercy.  John preached a baptism of repentance – for the forgiveness of sins. 

This is one of the reasons why we have many Penance Services in Advent – to help us call to mind our sins and repent by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

…My friends, this Advent an important event is coming.  On December 24th Pope Francis will proclaim Jubilee 2025. Jubilee years typically occur every 25 years.  There have been a few exceptions.   The Theme of Jubilee 2025 will be “Pilgrims of Hope.”

A description and explanation of Jubilee 2025 is on our website.

Historically – during a Jubilee Year – all debts were forgiven.  Wouldn't that be nice ?  To be debt free – morally and spiritually ?  Pope Francis said:  "God is always capable of restoring our joy.  He makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and start anew."   How beautiful is that ?  What a beautiful way to prepare for the coming of Jesus.

My friends, Advent is not just the memory of Jesus coming 2,000 years ago – but the coming of Jesus into my life – into your life in a brand new way now. 

Advent is a time of Hopeful Anticipation because God told John and has told us that Jesus is coming and God is always faithful to His Word…