2025: A Jubilee Year of Hope

 

Dear Parishioners,

Let me begin my writing by expressing my total surprise at the election of Pope Leo XIV. Something I thought absolutely certain was that there would never be an American-born pope in my lifetime. Like so many others, I was completely wrong. With his missionary experience, worldwide perspective, Augustinian spirit, devotion to the Blessed Mother, love of the poor, proven intellect, leadership skills, grasp of languages and gentle, humble demeanor, he appears to be a great choice by the cardinals. The passing of time will truly tell the whole story.

Additionally, our relatively new Bishop Joseph A. Williams is guiding the Camden diocese with an emphasis on prayer as the center of all things, including the search for a Vicar for Prayer. This newly established position shows the priority our bishop has on prayer in the lives of the clergy and the faithful. I am proud to say that we, at St. Thomas More Parish, have a solid group of daily Mass attendees who also pray the rosary afterward and regularly spend time in Eucharistic adoration. I think this is an important step in the right direction and a core group upon which we can certainly build. Moreover, the bishop's concern for vocations to the priesthood and religious life needs to grounded in prayer to the master of the harvest to send out workers (Mt. 9:38) as Jesus taught.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that we are currently in a Jubilee Year of Hope in the Catholic Church. Such a Jubilee Year has its origin in Sacred Scripture, specifically the Book of Leviticus, chapter 25. The ram's horn would sound announcing the Day of Atonement beginning a sacred 50th year of Jubilee for the Jewish people. Characteristic of the year, according to jubilee and biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma, is the forgiveness of sin, freedom from debt (and slavery), reunion and restoration of family lands leading to the fullness of all prophetic expectations. What is emphasized at this time of jubilee is redemption by God, release from bondage, restoration of family and rest form work.

Think of what Jesus says when He begins his public ministry according to the Gospel of St. Luke:

[Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4: 16-21)

Ultimately, Jesus fulfilled all ancient Jewish jubilee and prophetic expectations  by redeeming us on the cross, releasing us from our slavery to sin and death, restoring our spiritual family relationship through the Catholic Church and providing eternal rest for body and soul.

To benefit from the special graces offered us during this Jubilee Year of Hope we should, first of all, participate in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation frequently. We should become aware and partake in the various recommended actions granting an indulgence to alleviate the temporal punishment for sin—both for ourselves and our deceased loved ones. We can make a spiritual pilgrimage to a designated church or shrine (holy sites). We should engage more fully in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Active participation rather than passive observation should be our goal for this extraordinary year of hope.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor