If Not Now, When?

In the Catholic Church, a Jubilee or Holy Year is a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation, in which people are invited to come back into right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation.

It’s tempting, in our busy world, our busy lives, to just let it happen around us but that would be to miss a key moment in the life of faith, and a vital moment for our world.

The phrase “May you live in interesting times” is not known as a blessing, but rather quite the opposite. We hold on to hope precisely because we live in interesting times.

The Jubilee logo shows the pilgrim church together holding to the Cross of Christ which is also an anchor. Our hope is a gift from God, but like many of God’s gifts, it needs to be actively received and put into practice. We are given hope and we are called, especially in this Jubilee Year, to be tangible signs of hope for others. And in doing this, our own hope can grow. In CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, we see countless tangible acts of hope and witness the difference they make.

In the Bible the Jubilee Year occurred every 50 years and involved the cancelling of debts, a period of rest for people and the earth, and land being restored to the landless. It was a time for justice, for tackling many of the problems that kept people in slavery or poverty and damaged the land.

Our world today faces many of the same problems. In hope, in this Year of Jubilee let’s commit ourselves to tackling those things that keep our brothers and sisters in poverty.

But what can I do?

We can do more than we might know, especially when we act together. Perhaps you can take a moment now to reflect on what God might be calling you to, this Jubilee. It may be God is asking you to take more time to pray, make a pilgrimage or take the chance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It may be that God is asking you to be a tangible sign of hope for others.

Could you recommit to our global family this Jubilee year by pledging a monthly gift? Could you join us in tackling the causes of poverty? Could you add your prayers to ours or volunteer with us? Thousands of people have joined in the Big Lent Walk – making a difference with every step. Maybe you could take on a challenge event like the London Marathon or do your own fundraising with a cake sale or something else you enjoy.

When we commit to be a sign of hope we are refusing to give up. When we work together, open to the Holy Spirit, the world can be transformed. So let us turn to God in this special Jubilee Year, let us be signs of hope for others and as Pope Francis wrote ‘may the power of hope fill our days’ (Hope Does Not Disappoint, #25).

To join CAFOD in this Jubilee Year please see cafod.org.uk/jubilee or get in touch with our Diocesan Coordinator, Will Cruddace on Nottingham@CAFOD.org.uk or call/WhatsApp  077100 94455