Pray with Pope Francis Reflection - December 2024

Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

My brothers and sisters: In this month of December, Pope Francis asks us to pray for pilgrims of hope: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

The first proclamation of the Jubilee Year took place more than 700 years ago. A jubilee year normally takes place once every 25 years; Pope Francis made an exception last time and declared a jubilee year in 2016 as the Year of Mercy. He has declared the upcoming year of 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Hope.

Our Christian hope goes beyond psychology, in simply becoming more optimistic. In his writing to declare the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis reminds us that Christian hope does not deceive or disappoint because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing and no one may ever separate us from God’s love.

It is fitting that the Seasons of Advent and Christmas lead us into the Jubilee Year: As the Gospel of John reminds us, Jesus Christ is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. We need this light in our world that continues to be marred by violence and sin; we need the love of God to dispel the darkness.

When we choose to hope, our desired outcomes are out of our control; therefore, the virtue of patience is also needed. The journey to encounter Jesus Christ and to have our hearts touched and transformed by him is a process; let us be patient, because God is patient with us. May God bless you today.

Watch previous Pray with Pope Francis videos here.