DESPITE HAVING gone through a period of pandemic, war, disasters, and economic and political turmoil this year, Catholics must continue to find hope in Christ as He will never fail nor deceive them, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said.
Citing a recent poll indicating that fewer Filipinos are entering 2025 with hope, Advincula said it is in chaos that Catholics must further strengthen their hope, which comes from the Lord.
The prelate was referring to a national survey by the Social Weather Stations, which found 90% of adult Filipinos welcoming the coming year with hope, a drop from the 96% recorded in 2023. The same poll saw 10% of Filipinos feeling “fearful” for the year 2025, higher than last year’s 3%.
“May pag-asa tayo. Hindi ito mawawala o mananakaw sapagkat ang ating pag-asa ay galing sa Diyos. Ito ay handong Niya sa atin upang hindi tayo panghinaan ng loob sa ating paglalakbay sa buhay,” he said on Wednesday, Dec. 30, during his homily for the opening of the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Manila Cathedral.
(We have hope. It cannot be lost or stolen because our hope comes from God. He has given it to us so that we will not lose heart in our journey through life.)
Observed every 25 years, the Church recognizes a Jubilee as a year of reconciliation, solidarity, hope and justice. During the Jubilee, many Catholics undertake pilgrimages to Rome and other holy sites and fulfill acts of charity, forgiveness and service to others.
Citing the three aspects of hope, Advincula urged Catholics to focus on recognizing Christ Himself as the face of hope.
“Sa harap ng kawalang katiyakan at pagdurusa, si Kristo ang mukha ng pag-asa…Hindi Niya tayo bibiguin. Hindi Niya tayo lilinlangin. Hindi Siya paasa katulad ng iba.”
(In the face of uncertainty and suffering, Christ is the face of hope…He will not fail us. He will not deceive us. He is not like the others who give false hope.)
Catholics must also continue nurturing hope as it will not prosper if people cling to worldly desires, the cardinal said.
According to him the greatest way to nurture hope is to impart it to the marginalized, including the sick, prisoners, youth and the poor.
Organizing pilgrimages in Jubilee churches and pastoral visits to the needy would also bring hope to others, Advincula said. He added that Catholics, as a community, must shape the hope of children and the elderly in the family.
“Simulan natin ang pagsasabuhay ng Hubileyo na ipinahayag ni Hesus sa ibanghelyo ni San Lucas. Ipangaral sa mga mahihirap ang magandang balita. Ipahayag sa mga bihag na sila’y lalaya sa mga bulag na sila’y makakakita. Palayain ang mga inaapi at ipahayag ang panahon ng pagliligtas ng panginoon.”
(Let us begin to live out the Jubilee year that Jesus proclaimed in the Gospel of Luke. Preach the good news to the poor. Proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. Set the oppressed free and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.)
With the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” the Jubilee Year 2025 began on Christmas Eve this year with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. It will end on January 6, 2026 in the Feast of the Epiphany.
The Archdiocese of Manila officially began the Ordinary Jubilee Year of Hope with the opening of the Holy Door at the historic Manila Cathedral in Intramuros. F
