Dear parishioners and friends,
On the 9th of May 2024, Pope Francis issued a papal bull for the 2025 Jubilee Year, called Spes non Confundit, which translates to Hope Does Not Disappoint.
To note that a papal bull is a type of public decree issued by the pope and is named after the leaden seal (bulla) traditionally appended to the document with the aim of authenticating it.
Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of hope in the Christian faith, drawing inspiration from the words of St. Paul: Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Rom 5:5)
We are invited to experience the Jubilee as pilgrims of hope. “Hope is born of love,” (Spes non confundit #3) writes Pope Francis as he reminds us of the compelling verse from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:35, 37-39).
Realizing that we are loved gives us hope! God loves us in an unconditional manner. Just as our creation, our being, is a gift from our Heavenly Father, salvation in and through Jesus Christ is a pure gift.
Unfortunately, many believe they are not “good enough” to be loved by God. Many stay away from the church community because they feel they are not worthy due to past sins and waywardness. In this regard, our attention turns to Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (Jn 3:16-17). These verses contain timeless truths. Knowing that we are loved by God gives us hope! God is not out to condemn us, but to save us. Moreover, we are not redeemed because we are holy, but because of His unconditional love for us. There is no better reason for us to be pilgrims of hope! Let us allow hope to permeate our being this Jubilee Year.
God bless you
Fr Silvio
