Cardinal Jose Advincula urged the faithful to embrace hope despite growing fears and uncertainties during the inauguration of the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Archdiocese of Manila.
Reflecting on a recent study that highlighted a decline in Filipinos’ optimism, the Cardinal called for renewed trust in Christ as the source of enduring hope.
“Is it with hope or with fear that you enter the coming year 2025?” Cardinal Advincula asked, referencing the study’s findings that 90% of Filipinos still welcome the New Year with hope, though this is lower than the 96% recorded the previous year. “Why has our hope diminished, and why has fear increased? What can we do to address this situation?”
The Jubilee Year, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” was officially launched globally by Pope Francis on Christmas Eve with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Echoing the Pope’s message, Cardinal Advincula reminded the faithful: “If God can visit us, even when our hearts seem like a lowly manger, we can truly say: Hope is not dead; hope is alive and it embraces our lives forever!”
Hope Amid Hardships
Cardinal Advincula drew inspiration from the Gospel story of Anna the Prophetess, who despite her difficult life as a widow, remained steadfast in prayer and worship.
“She did not give up calling on God. She did not lose hope,” he said. Anna, along with Simeon, witnessed the arrival of Christ, “the light that will shine upon all and liberate humanity.”
The prelate highlighted that hope is a divine gift that cannot be taken away. “There is hope for all of us. Hope is not lost or stolen because our hope comes from God,” he said. “This is His gift to us so that we will not lose heart in our journey through life.”
A Call to Nurture and Share Hope
In his homily, Cardinal Advincula described the Jubilee Year of Hope as a time to encounter Christ as the face of hope, nurture hope through faith and detachment from worldly distractions, and share hope with those who feel abandoned or oppressed.
He emphasized that hope requires a firm foundation in God’s love and the rejection of worldly attachments, quoting from St. John’s First Epistle: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.”
He also highlighted the importance of bringing hope to others, particularly those who are vulnerable. “There are many in our families and communities who lose hope – the sick, the imprisoned, the elderly, migrants, the youth, the poor, and victims of injustice,” he said.
Cardinal Advincula encouraged the faithful to participate in Jubilee activities, including pilgrimages to Jubilee churches and outreach to those in need. He also stressed the importance of fostering hope within families, especially among the youth and the elderly.
A Journey Together
Cardinal Advincula underscored the significance of the Church’s communal journey as “pilgrims of hope.” Referring to the Synodal Church, he said: “God has gathered us, like the people of Israel, to lead us from darkness into His great light.”
All photos by Angie de Silva
