Homily on the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Catholic Church
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, as we stand on the threshold of the Jubilee Year 2025, let us reflect on the profound history, the biblical foundations, and the deep spiritual significance of this momentous occasion. The Jubilee is a time of grace, renewal, and reconciliation—a time when the Church invites us to open our hearts to God’s mercy and to experience a fresh outpouring of His love and forgiveness.
The History of the Jubilee Celebration
The word “Jubilee” comes from the Latin jubilaeus, meaning “joyful” or “celebration.” The origins of the Jubilee date back to the Old Testament, in the book of Leviticus, where God instructed the Israelites to observe a year of Jubilee every 50th year. During this year, all land that had been sold or mortgaged was to be returned to its original owner, debts were forgiven, and slaves were set free. This was a profound act of mercy, justice, and renewal in society, aimed at restoring balance and fairness. The Jubilee was a time of liberation, a fresh start for the people of Israel.
In the Christian tradition, the Jubilee was further developed by the Church. In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII declared the first Holy Year, a year of pilgrimage and spiritual renewal. Since then, the Church has continued to observe Jubilee years at intervals, typically every 25 or 50 years, and they have become important moments in the spiritual life of the Church.
Biblical Ground for the Jubilee
The roots of the Jubilee celebration in the Catholic Church are firmly planted in the Bible. In Leviticus 25:10, God commands, “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.” This call to liberty is a call to both physical and spiritual freedom. It echoes God’s desire to heal the brokenness in human relationships, to restore what has been lost, and to allow His people to experience His mercy in profound ways.
In the New Testament, we see Jesus proclaiming the fulfillment of this prophecy in the Gospel of Luke, when He reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). This is the ultimate Jubilee, where Jesus ushers in the reign of God’s mercy and freedom.
The Significance of the Jubilee Year 2025
As we approach the Jubilee Year 2025, it is a time for us to reflect on God’s mercy and His desire to restore all things. The Pope, as the spiritual leader of the Church, has consistently emphasised the importance of mercy. In the previous Jubilee of 2016, Pope Francis declared the “Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy,” opening the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica and inviting all of us to experience God’s boundless forgiveness.
For the Jubilee of 2025, Pope Francis will likely continue to call us to renew our personal relationship with God, to embrace the sacrament of reconciliation, and to reach out to those in need. He will remind us that the Jubilee is not just a ceremonial event, but a grace-filled moment where we are invited to turn our hearts back to God and allow His mercy to transform our lives.
Elements of the Jubilee Year 2025
The Jubilee of 2025 will be marked by several significant elements that invite us into deeper spiritual communion:
- Pilgrimage: The tradition of making a pilgrimage to a Holy Door, especially to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, continues as an essential element of the Jubilee. Pilgrimages help the faithful to focus on the journey of faith, reminding us that we are all pilgrims on our way to the heavenly Jerusalem.
- Confession and Reconciliation: A central theme of every Jubilee is the call to reconciliation with God and with one another. The sacrament of confession is especially important, as it offers the opportunity for personal renewal and forgiveness. Pope Francis has stressed that God’s mercy is available to all, no matter how great the sin, and the Jubilee is an invitation to receive this mercy with open hearts.
- Acts of Mercy: The Jubilee is also a call to practice the works of mercy—both corporal and spiritual. This year, as we celebrate, we are called to serve others in Christ’s name, to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick, and offer comfort to the afflicted. These acts not only help others but also draw us closer to the heart of God.
The Plenary Indulgence
One of the most beautiful gifts of the Jubilee Year is the granting of the plenary indulgence. A plenary indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment due to sin, granted by the Church under certain conditions. It is not the forgiveness of sin itself (which comes through the sacrament of reconciliation) but the relief from the consequences of sin.
To gain the plenary indulgence, the faithful must:
- Be in a state of grace,
- Receive the sacrament of confession,
- Participate in Mass and receive Holy Communion,
- Pray for the intentions of the Pope,
- And perform a work of mercy or devotion during the Jubilee year.
This indulgence is a sign of God’s mercy, offering us a tangible experience of His love and forgiveness. It is a way to help us detach from the temporal effects of sin and draw closer to the perfection of the Kingdom of God.
The Meaning of the Holy Door of Mercy
The Holy Door, which will be open in churches around the world during the Jubilee year, is a powerful symbol of God’s mercy. In 2016, Pope Francis inaugurated the “Door of Mercy” as a special door through which pilgrims would pass, symbolising their entry into the embrace of God’s forgiveness and grace. As we enter through this door, we are reminded that Christ is the true Gate through whom we enter into eternal life (John 10:9). It is a reminder that God’s mercy is always open to us and that through Jesus, we are welcomed into His love and salvation.
The Holy Door invites us to leave behind the burden of sin and enter into the new life that Christ offers. It is a sign of hope, renewal, and spiritual transformation. As we walk through the Holy Door during the Jubilee year, let us do so with hearts full of repentance and gratitude, knowing that God is ready to meet us with love and compassion.
Conclusion
The Jubilee Year 2025 is a time for the Church to experience God’s mercy in a new and profound way. As we reflect on the history and significance of this holy year, let us open our hearts to God’s grace. Let us seek forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation, perform acts of mercy, and embrace the gift of the plenary indulgence with humility and joy.
Through the Holy Door, we are invited to walk into God’s mercy and experience the freedom that comes from His love. May this Jubilee year be a time of true renewal in our lives, as we seek to follow Christ more closely and live out His message of mercy, justice, and peace.
May God bless you all as you journey through this holy year.
Amen.