The concept of Jubilee, rooted in pre-Christian tradition, transcends time and geography as a universal call to renewal. It invites humanity to return to the “sacred” within and among us. The return is marked by forgiveness, liberation, and restoring harmony. Pope Francis proclaimed 2025 as the year of Jubilee under the Bulla Indictionis, Spes Non Confundit (“Hope Does Not Disappoint”). Therefore, the Jubilee year 2025 emerges as a beacon in an era fractured by conflict, polarisation, and ecological crisis. By framing the Jubilee as a collective pilgrimage of hope, the Catholic Church invites people of all faiths and Goodwill to engage in dialogue. It is a time of spiritual renewal and collaborative action. This article explores the theological underpinnings of Jubilee celebration while focusing on the themes of liberation, mercy, and pilgrimage with Christian, Islamic and Hindu traditions that pave the way toward reconciliation, unity, and social justice in India.
Renewal and Liberation: The Theological Foundation of Jubilee
The Jubilee tradition originates in the Old Testament as a radical socio-economic and spiritual restoration ethics. The jubilee year is instituted in Leviticus 25 (Lev 25: 8-55). It is also seen in other passages of the Old Testament (Lev 27:16-25; Ex 21:1-11, 23:10-11; Num 36:4; Deu 15: 1-18, 31: 10-13; Ezek 46:16-18; Isa 61:1-2; Jer 34: 8-17; 2 Chr 36: 20-21). It mandated a year of liberation for all the people. It includes enslaved people (Lev 25:39-41). The Bible states that the year of Jubilee observed debt remittance. The people under slavery were released. Moreover, ancestral lands were restored to their original owners. This cyclical resetting of societal inequities reflected a divine vision of justice. It is grounded in the belief that all creation ultimately belongs to God. They also are destined for the entire human race (CCC 2452). The prophetic tradition, particularly Isaiah 61:1-2, expanded this vision, framing Jubilee as a messianic mission to “proclaim liberty to captives” and “comfort all who mourn.” For Christians, Jesus’ declaration in Luke 4:18-21–that He fulfils Isaiah’s prophecy—elevates Jubilee from a temporal practice to an eschatological promise of universal liberation.
As the bearer of this mission, the Church is called to universalise the Jubilee’s ethos. Pope John Paul II, in Tertio Millennio Adveniente, emphasised that Jubilee transcends ritual to become a “year of the Lord’s favour” for all humanity. This universality is rooted in the Christian understanding of solidarity: as St. Paul writes, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (1 Cor 12:26). The Jubilee thus becomes a theological imperative to dismantle systems of oppression, whether economic, social, or spiritual, and to restore dignity to marginalised communities, irrespective of faith, because every human being is a child of God.
Islamic Parallels: Justice, Mercy, and Debt Relief
Although Islamic traditions do not speak directly about the Jubilee year, Islamic teachings resonate deeply with the principles of liberation and restoration, which aligns with the biblical Jubilee year. Therefore, the Qur’an emphasises ‘Adalah (justice) and Rahmah (mercy) as divine attributes. Islam also mandates practices of Zakat (alms-giving), Sadaqah (voluntary charity), and Qard al-Hasan (interest-free loans) to address inequality. The Quran explicitly commands debt relief. It says, “If someone is in hardship, grant them a delay until easier times. But if you cancel the debt as a charity, it is better for you if only you knew” (Al-Baqarah: 2:280). Such injunctions reflect an ethic of cyclical renewal, akin to Jubilee, where material and spiritual debts are periodically forgiven to restore communal equilibrium.
The Islamic idea of Maghfirah (forgiveness) fits Jubilee’s focus on relationship-healing even more. The Qur’an assures believers that divine mercy transcends human failings: “My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of God’s mercy, for God forgives all sins” (Az-Zumar 39:53). Islam emphasises a universe in which all the believers need to act of compassion towards the other. It is mixed with socio-economic justice. It intertwines spiritual renewal and material fairness.
Hindu Dharma: Cyclical Renewal and Universal Compassion
The cyclical cosmology of Hinduism is articulated through the concept of Yuga Dharma, because it is a duty that is aligned with cosmic epochs. Therefore, it mirrors the Jubilee’s rhythm of renewal. Each Yuga culminates in a period of dissolution and rebirth. It reflects the eternal law (Sanatana Dharma) that governs both cosmos and human conduct. Ksamā (forgiveness) is central to this ethic. It is extolled in the Mahabharata as a virtue that “elevates one beyond the reach of Brahman.” Similarly, Dāna (selfless charity) and Karunā (compassion) are upheld as pillars of righteous living. The Bhagavad Gita defines Dāna as “that which is given without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person” (BG 17:20). It echoes Jubilee’s call for unconditional generosity.
Liberation (Moksha) in Hinduism transcends material concerns, yet its pursuit is inseparable from societal harmony. The Gita’s injunction to act selflessly (Karma Yoga) – “Perform your duty, abandoning attachment to success or failure” (2:47)–underscores that spiritual liberation requires engagement with the world. Thus, Hindu teachings align with Jubilee’s dual focus: inner renewal through detachment (Vairāgya) and outer renewal through Dharma-driven justice.
Hope and Mercy as Common Ground
At the heart of Jubilee is the dialogue of hope and compassion, the values that heal doctrinal differences between every faith. In Spes Non Confundit, Pope Francis frames hope as “the humble, tenacious refusal to despair” rooted in the certainty of God’s love. This hope is not passive; instead, it inspires Christians and all other people of Goodwill to become “artisans of compassion” in a broken world (Jas 2:14–17). For Christians, the Paschal Mystery–where Christ’s resurrection turns sorrow into redemptive hope–finds the summit of divine pity. Moreover, Allah’s pardon and compassion allow his followers the chance to overcome sin and suffering through honest atonement and faith in His favour (Az-Zumar 39:53). Krishna’s promise of deliverance turns a devotee’s sorrow into the prospect of spiritual rejuvenation and finally, independence (B G 18:66).
Islamic Theology: Rahmah and Tawakkul
In Islam, hope (raja) is inseparable from ‘trust in God’s mercy’ (tawakkul). The Qur’an’s opening verse–Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim (“In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate”)–declares mercy as God’s primary attribute. Surah Al-A’raf reminds believers, “Do not spread corruption on earth after it has been set in order; call upon Him with fear and longing” (Al-A’raf 7:56). This “longing” reflects a hope anchored in divine compassion. The Muslims are enjoined to emulate through acts of Ihsan (excellence in faith) and Sulh (reconciliation).
The Hadith tradition amplifies this ethos: “Show mercy to those on earth, and the One in heaven will show mercy to you” (Al-Tirmidhi). Thus, Islamic hope is not merely eschatological, but immanent. It manifests in the daily pursuit of justice and kindness.
Hinduism: Bhakti and the Assurance of Grace
Hindu devotional traditions (Bhakti) similarly emphasise hope as surrendering to divine grace. The Bhagavad Gita urges, “Abandon all varieties of dharmas and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear” (BG 18:66). This promise of liberation through devotion underscores that kind of a hope in Hinduism. It arises from trust in the divine’s boundless compassion. Daya (compassion) further binds individuals to a collective ethic. As the Rig Veda states, “The person who eats alone is a thief” (RV 10:117), emphasising that spiritual hope must translate into shared abundance.
Pilgrimage as a Symbol of Unity
Pilgrimages are the cornerstone of Jubilee activity. They represent the common journey humanity takes towards the divine. The 2025 Jubilee promotes visits to Rome and holy places worldwide, breaking down boundaries of belief and culture.
Hajj: Islam’s Pilgrimage of Equality
The Hajj to Mecca defines togetherness in Islam. Clad in plain white robes (Ihram), Pilgrims carry rites honouring Abraham’s faith and Hagar’s determination. The Qur’an commands, “Proclaim the Pilgrimage to all people” (Al-Hajj 22:27), emphasising its universality. The culmination of the Hajj at Arafat, when millions of people offer egalitarian prayers. It reflects Jubilee’s vision of humanity brought in line with humility.
Tirtha Yatra: Hinduism’s Path to Collective Purification
Hindu pilgrimage (Tirtha Yatra) similarly unites individuals in a quest for spiritual merit. Sites like Varanasi and Rameswaram are believed to dissolve Karma and foster Śānti (peace). The Skanda Purana declares, “As the Ganga cleanses the body, so does a pilgrimage purify the soul.” By journeying together, pilgrims embody the Hindu ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“The world is one family”).
Jubilee 2025: A Call for Interreligious Engagement
The theme of the 2025 Jubilee, Spes Non Confundit, encourages all the people of Goodwill to collaborate to solve world problems such as migration and Economic Inequality and Social Injustice, Environmental Degradation and Climate Change, Armed Conflict and Social Fragmentation. By ministering in prisons, hospitals, and underprivileged areas–places where human dignity is most threatened–Pope Francis exhorts Christians to become “pilgrims of hope.” This appeal corresponds with Hinduism’s Lokasangraha (welfare of all creatures) and Islamic ideas on Ummah.
Practical Pathways Forward
Interfaith Education: Joint study of sacred texts (e.g., Bible, Qur’an, Gita) can illuminate shared ethical commitments.
Collaborative Service: Interreligious collaborative initiatives in healthcare, environmental stewardship, and poverty alleviation embody Jubilee’s spirit.
Dialogue Centres: Establishing spaces for prayer and peacebuilding, particularly in conflict zones, this type of prayer service can heal historical wounds among all religions.
Challenges in the Indian Context
Communal tensions, politicised religious identities, and caste-based inequities mar India’s pluralism. Colonial legacies and majoritarian policies often weaponise faith, as seen in recent anti-conversion laws and cow protection vigilantism. Drawing on Jubilee’s ethic, the Church must navigate these complexities by prioritising grassroots reconciliation among all. Initiatives like interfaith youth councils and inter-village Satsang (spiritual gatherings) can counter radicalisation through relational trust.
Conclusion: Toward a Jubilee of the Human Family
The 2025 Jubilee is more than a Catholic observance; it is an invitation to reimagine our shared future. Jubilee becomes a tapestry of hope by weaving together the threads of liberation in Christianity, justice in Islam, and Dharma in Hinduism. As pilgrims on a common journey, believers of all traditions are called to embody mercy, confront injustice, and restore the “land” of our collective humanity. In the words of Pope Francis, “Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travellers sharing the same flesh.” In this dream, Spes Non Confundit–hope will not disappoint.
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