Dear brothers and sisters,
Alleluia!
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen!” (Lk 24:5-6). On this glorious day of Easter, we not only celebrate the Lord’s victory, but are also called to be “pilgrims of hope”, to embark on the journey of encountering God and one another, with Faith, Hope and Love, especially in this special occasion of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
The Universal Church welcomes the Year of Jubilee, designated by Pope Francis, with the theme “Hope does not disappoint” (Spes Non Confundit), which is taken from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans (Rom 5:5). The Bull of Indiction reminds us that Christian Hope is always rooted in God’s Love, a love which transcends all trials and uncertainties. The Holy Father invites us to strive to be the Salt and Light of the world, in particular this Jubilee Year of Hope, and to move towards the future with renewed Hope. With the joy of Easter and the grace of the Jubilee Year, I invite you to rediscover in your daily lives – especially during holidays and pilgrimages – the meaning and essence of our Faith, and the evangelical mission that God has entrusted to us.
Jubilee: A journey full of hope
In Spes Non Confundit, the Holy Father points out the benefits and value of “rediscovering patience”, in ourselves and others. When St Paul the Apostles speaks of patience, he often refers to our perseverance and confidence in God’s promises, and he is the first to witness God’s patience, as He is “God of endurance and encouragement” (Romans 15:5). Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, it sustains our Hope and converts it into a virtue and a way of life (cf Spes Non Confundit, 4). The Hope that the Pope addresses is not an empty wish or thought, but a firm Faith, based on Christ’s resurrection and love.
In this Year of Jubilee, the Pope encourages us to go out and become “pilgrims of Hope”. Pilgrimage, unlike any ordinary sightseeing tour, is a “journey with a purpose”. The motive of a pilgrimage is to open our hearts and minds, in order to allow God’s experience to transform us, but not just to reach a certain destination. Therefore, holidays are not just merely for rest, but for a process of encountering God and listening to His voice. Whether it is a short Easter break or a longer summer vacation, we are invited to transform these occasions into moments of renewal of souls, which are opportunities to grow closer to God.
When holidays go beyond rest, and become moments of spiritual growth, the distinction between Tourism and Pilgrimage becomes clear. Tourists, bound by time, travel to take photographs or check off items in their ‘bucket list’. Pilgrims, however, “walk with purpose, transcend the boundaries of daily life, seek the footsteps of God, and re-encounter Him again.”
“Going forth” is not merely a physical action. As Pope Benedict XVI once said, “Vacation time offers the unique opportunity to pause before the thought-provoking spectacles of nature… In contact with nature, a person rediscovers his correct dimension, rediscovers himself as a creature, small but at the same time unique, with a ‘capacity for God’ because interiorly he is open to the Infinite.’” (Angelus, 17 July 2005) Let us, then, pause our hurried steps during holidays, quietly contemplate the beauty of the Creator’s works, listen to God’s voice, and share the joy of faith with family and friends.
Becoming Witnesses of Hope
As “pilgrims of hope”, we seek not only hope for ourselves, but are also called to bring hope to others. I encourage all to visit the designated Jubilee pilgrimage sites of the Diocese of Macau, including the Church of St. Joseph’s Seminary and the Chapel of Our Lady of Penha, to undertake the prescribed acts of devotion and obtain the Jubilee indulgence of the Holy Church. May every faithful soul, in this Jubilee year, “come to know the closeness of Mary, the most affectionate of mothers, who never abandons her children” (Spes Non Confundit, 24).
Finally, I invite everyone to join me in meditation and in prayer, asking the Risen Lord to grant us courage and wisdom to become bearers of hope in this world. May the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Hope, accompany us at every step, and lead us toward the Jubilee Year, filled with hope to receive the Lord’s grace.
＋Bishop Stephen Lee Bun Sang
Catholic Diocese of Macau
Follow
