Jubilee: An Encounter of Hearts
What does Jubilee mean to the ordinary person? The Bible and our Church tradition describe it as a special year, a holy time of forgiveness, a moment of grace, liberation, a period of respite and thanksgiving, a celebration. At its heart, Jubilee invites us into something profound – an encounter of hearts.
Moving toward the Church’s Jubilee means launching on a sacred journey that requires preparation. As Oblates and Associates, we join the rest of the Church walking toward the holy Jubilee, each on our own path yet united as a community. Jubilee offers a rare moment of encounter with others, the universe, and God. It brings us together in shared experience, even as conflicts and tragedies fragment our world. Jubilee places God at the center of our celebration, inviting us on a pilgrimage to find what our lives seek.
Preparing Hearts and Homes
Rome breathes the Jubilee spirit. Workers repair roads, restore basilicas and renew the metro. Our General house has established a committee for this important spiritual encounter. We will open our doors to pilgrims. While residents may face some discomfort, this time offers precious opportunities to be evangelized by the poor. Many seek God’s grace, mercy, and blessings. Our preparation takes two forms: external and spiritual. While physical preparation matters, preparing our hearts remains essential. We must create space for God to speak through silent prayer, novenas, attentive listening, and compassionate action.
Meeting Today’s Challenges
Amid our joy, we cannot ignore world tragedies, especially in the Holy Land. The slaughter of innocents and the rejection of refugees tests how deeply we feel others’ pain. Pope Francis warns, “We may be tempted to conclude that our world is losing its heart” (DN. 22). Though primarily a Catholic celebration, the Jubilee Year calls all humanity to embrace its original meaning: freedom for captives, forgiveness of debts, family reunion, and rest for the land (Lev 25: 10-14). CB Samuel notes, “Jubilee restores identity, especially for the poor… it’s a problem of the heart, not economics.”
Building Hope Together
This Jubilee belongs to everyone: lay people, workers, youth, clergy, religious, elderly, mothers, and fathers. As the Mission Committee prepares for the Youth Congress in Rome (July 22-29, 2025), we recognize our young people as bearers of hope for our time. In a world that Pope Francis describes as “losing its heart,” their energy and vision matter more than ever. Each of us, especially our youth, must ask: How can I bring life to this moment of grace? How can this Jubilee transform my encounters with others and with God? These questions transcend geography, inviting us all to participate in this profound renewal of spirit.
May the Spirit guide and transform our hearts. Through the words of the Jubilee Prayer 2025, we join in hope: “May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel, transforming humanity and the cosmos from within.”
By Kapena Shimbome, OMI – General Councilor, Africa-Madagascar
Published on the OMI World website
