The concept of a Jubilee year had its origin in the ancient Near East. According to the book of Leviticus, every fifty years debts would be forgiven, servants would be released, property would be restored to its original owners and fields would lie fallow. Centuries later Jesus is invited to read in his hometown’s synagogue. He finds the passage in Isaiah that speaks of the Jubilee year and Isaiah’s calling and reinterprets it as his mission.
He, himself, will fulfill all these things; bringing the Good News to those in need, freedom for those held captive by sin, healing to the sick, and disabled, and a jubilee year for all. Jesus claims us for his own, so we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus calls us to share what we have with those in need, for they are our family members. During this Jubilee Year of Hope, let us live in the hope that Jesus’s mission continues to be fulfilled in our world today. As our parish mission statement says: “To bring all people into a loving relationship with God and neighbor.”
Love, Peace, Joy,
Fr. Bob
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