Pope: The Jubilee, a grace-filled opportunity for encounter

The Italian daily newspaperIl Messaggeropublishes a reflection by Pope Francis on the Jubilee.

In the history of the people of Israel, yobel the sound of a ram’s horn called yobel—  - from which the term “jubilee” originates - echoed through every village, marking the start of a special year as prescribed by the Law of Moses (cf. Lv 25).

The jubilee year was a time of redemption and renewal, symbolised by practices that remain strikingly relevant even today. During this year, the land was left uncultivated to remind people that it belongs to God and is a gift entrusted to humanity for stewardship rather than exploitation. Debts were forgiven to restore social justice and counter inequality, a practice that occurred every fifty years. Slaves were liberated, fostering the dream of a human community free from oppression and discrimination - a vision reminiscent of the Exodus, where God formed His people into a single family on a shared journey.