The word “jubilee” refers to an anniversary, usually the twenty-fifth or fiftieth, or the celebration of this anniversary. But it has also come to refer to any season or occasion of rejoicing or festivity. This year is a jubilee year, and today’s readings are all about rejoicing.
The Jewish practice of celebrating a jubilee year is established in the book of Leviticus. The word “jubilee” comes from the name of the instrument used to announce it, the yobel. In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to celebrate jubilee years as times for the healing of the relationship between God and
his people. These celebratory years were also times when fields would lie fallow, debts were forgiven, and land was returned to its rightful owner.
In today’s first reading, after he reads from the book of the law of God and interprets it for the assembly, Ezra tells them that today is holy to our Lord. Therefore, they should not be sad, but celebrate with rich food and sweet drinks, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength.
In his Letter to the Corinthians, Paul says they are all members of the one Body of Christ. Therefore, if one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy. When one member of Christ’s Body succeeds, we can celebrate the accomplishment as if it were our own.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to describe his mission: he has been anointed to bring glad tidings to the poor … 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. These words recall the prophetic
significance of the jubilee. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to the people of Israel. He is the long-awaited Messiah, the one they have hoped for. He has come to save not only the people of Israel but all people, to restore all of creation to relationship with God.
Pope Francis has chosen hope as the central message for this jubilee year. We are called to be pilgrims of hope, holding fast to the hope we have been given and finding refuge and strength in God. Where do we see signs of hope in our world today? How can we be signs of hope for others?
At each celebration of the Eucharist, Christ pours out his Holy Spirit upon us – the same Spirit with which he was anointed to bring Good News to the poor. Sharing in his Spirit unites us as his body. On this holy day in this holy year, God has called us together to give thanks for his forgiveness and the healing he offers us. May we draw strength from this joyful celebration, remembering that he is the source of our hope.