A biblical and synodal path towards the renewal of faith

Jan 10, 2025

By Ricardo Grzona
In an emotional ceremony on Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door, thus marking the Grand Opening of the Jubilee of Hope, an event that evokes both the biblical tradition and the present of the Church in the context of the Synod on Synodality. This article seeks to explore the meaning of the Jubilee in Scripture and how this rich tradition connects with the synodal dynamics of the Church today, offering spiritual and pastoral guidance for rediscovering hope as the driving force of Christian life.

The Jubilee in the Bible: Freedom and Restoration
In the Bible, the concept of the Jubilee Year or Year of Rejoicing is specifically mentioned in three main passages of the Old Testament. These are:

Leviticus 25:8-17
This describes in detail how the Jubilee Year should be celebrated: every 50 years, with the proclamation of freedom, the restitution of property and the resting of the land. It is the central passage on this practice.

Leviticus 27:16-24
This text regulates how lands dedicated to the Lord during the Jubilee Year could be redeemed or returned to the original owners, reflecting the importance of equity and justice.

Numbers 36:4
The Jubilee is referred to as the time when inherited properties are redistributed, ensuring that lands remain within the original families and tribes.

Symbolic or indirect references
The Jubilee Year is also related to the concept of the “year of grace” or liberation, which is mentioned symbolically in other texts, such as:

Isaiah 61:1-2: “Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” This passage, while not directly mentioning the Jubilee, reflects its themes of freedom and restoration.

Luke 4:16-21: Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 and presents himself as the fulfillment of the “year of grace,” linking the concept of Jubilee with his saving mission.

Although the most specific passages are in the Mosaic Law, the theme of Jubilee permeates all of Scripture as an expression of God’s love, justice, and mercy.

As we said earlier, the concept of jubilee has deep roots in the Bible. In the book of Leviticus (25:8-55), the jubilee year is established as a time of freedom and restoration, marked by the remission of debts, the liberation of slaves, and the return of lands to their original owners. This holy year, celebrated every fifty years, was not only a religious mandate, but also a social instrument to restore justice and equity in the community of Israel.

Jesus takes up this tradition in His public ministry. In the Gospel of Luke (4:16-21), while reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus proclaims: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” This “year of favour” represents not only a liturgical event, but a permanent invitation to the spiritual and social transformation that Christ brings to the world.

The Jubilee of Hope in the Framework of the Synod on Synodality
The celebration of the Jubilee of Hope in 2025 takes on special significance in the context of the Synod on Synodality, a process that seeks to renew communion, participation and mission in the Church. Pope Francis has insisted that this synod is not a simple event, but a journey of discernment and mutual listening inspired by the Holy Spirit.

The connection between the jubilee and synodality lies in their common essence: both are called to renewal. Just as the biblical jubilee invites us to liberate, reconcile and restore, the synodal process seeks to heal divisions, open new spaces for dialogue and reorient the mission of the Church towards a fuller communion with God and among the faithful.

Hope becomes the central axis that unites both realities. In a world marked by uncertainty, individualism and global crises, the Jubilee of Hope reminds us that the Christian faith is profoundly eschatological: we walk together towards the Kingdom of God, where justice, peace and joy will be complete.

A Spiritual and Pastoral Itinerary
The Jubilee of Hope invites all the faithful to live an authentic conversion of heart. Inspired by the Scriptures and guided by the magisterium of Pope Francis, we can identify three key aspects for this time of grace:

• Listening and community discernment: In the spirit of the synod, we are called to be a Church that listens, especially to the most vulnerable. This requires spaces open to dialogue and shared prayer, where community discernment is the main method for making decisions.

• Restoration and social justice: Following the example of the biblical jubilee, this holy year challenges us to work for social justice, reconciliation and solidarity. This includes concrete actions in favour of the marginalised, such as debt forgiveness or sustainable development projects.

• Renewal of hope in Christian life: Christian hope is not a passive expectation, but a transforming force that impels us to build a more humane and more holy world. The Jubilee calls us to proclaim the Gospel with joy, even in the midst of difficulties.

Conclusion
The Jubilee of Hope, celebrated in the context of the Synod on Synodality, is not just a commemorative event, but an opportunity for the Church to deepen her identity and mission. By looking to the biblical roots of the Jubilee and by embracing the synodal dynamic, we are called to renew our commitment to be a Church on the move, marked by hope, communion and conversion.

In the words of Pope Francis: “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts” (Rom 5:5). May this Jubilee be a true year of grace, a time of freedom and reconciliation, and a celebration of the hope that never dies. --Exaudi