• Fr Dr Martin N Antony OdeM

The word Jubilee comes from the Hebrew word Yobel
(), which means trumpet. Yes, Jubilee is a year of trumpets. In the Bible, Jubilee is a social and economic celebration. And for this reason, it has ritual and moral phases. Forgiveness of debts, rest of the land, and the flowering of righteousness are the moral aspects of the Jubilee year. It is a year when everyone returns to their inheritance (Lev 25:13). That is why the concept of repentance, which means going back, is the primary theme of Jubilee. It is a journey, a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage to ourselves, to our fellowmen, and to our God. It is not a journey to uncertainty, but to the certainty of hope. That is why it is called pilgrimage of hope, for the hope does not delude us.

We are in the Lenten season of the Jubilee Year of 2025, when the trumpet of hope will sound. Lent is a season of simplicity, a time to overcome the excesses of evil with the weapons of repentance. What are our spiritual weapons during Lent? The Gospel says that they are fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. We can see them in Matthew 6:1-18. Jesus says to do them in secret, not in public. He is turning the spiritual activities that the Jews used to do with trumpets into secret. Of course, the Jubilee Year is a year of trumpets. However, the prayers, fasting, and almsgiving of Lent should not be accompanied by that trumpet. If the trumpets come into them, they are likely to turn into a farce. The Jewish tradition at the time of Jesus has made them a farce, but he gives them a secret dignity.

Of course, the Jubilee Year is a year of trumpets. However, the prayers, fasting, and almsgiving of Lent should not be accompanied by that trumpet. If the trumpets come into them, they are likely to turn into a farce. The Jewish tradition at the time of Jesus has made them a farce, but he gives them a secret dignity.

Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the signs of Lent. Pope Francis describes them as instruments and expressions of our conversion. We must remember that the fruits of our prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, which sprout, grow, and blossom in secrecy will never bear the fruits in secret. They are for everyone. They can change history and society.

Fasting does not only mean abstaining from food, it is also the mind to set aside anything that hinders peace and anything that leads to sin. Abstaining is often associated with diet because of an obsessive desire for physical well-being. It should not be so. Fasting is a liberation from self-centeredness. It is a virtue that gives true value to what surrounds us. It reminds us not to be subject to the fleeting worldliness.

Fasting is linked to almsgiving. Saint Leo the Great, in a sermon on Lent, says that fasting is completed in charity. Charity is what makes fasting holy. No spiritual work that neglects poor and needy will bring us salvation. Therefore, Lenten practices of fraternity and charity must be encouraged in our dioceses and parishes. Lent is also a reminder that our lives are a time to sow goodness. We should take special advantage of this Lent to care for those close to us and to be close to those who are wounded on the path of life. When we seek, find, and listen to those who are walking on the paths of suffering, our charity will be like that of Simeon of Cyrene on the Way of the Cross.

Saint Augustine says that fasting and almsgiving are the two wings of prayer. If our prayer is to reach heaven easily, it needs the wings of fasting and almsgiving.

Charity is thought to be doing great things. A cup of water is charity. A cup of water contains the whole Gospel. Jesus taught that if you give a cup of water to someone in need, it is the same as giving it to himself. The logic of that cup of water is the first question and consolation of the Last Judgment: I was thirsty; you gave me to drink (Matthew 25:35). Jesus also says in Mark 9:41 that true Christianity is the humility that allows you to take a cup of water from your neighbour and drink it without seeing him as an enemy. Not only giving, but also receiving and drinking a cup of water is holy. That is, not only giving alms, but also receiving alms is holy.

Time of penance is the synonym for Lent. Penance is also meditation and prayer. Yes, Lent is a time of prayer. Saint Augustine says that fasting and almsgiving are the two wings of prayer. If our prayer is to reach heaven easily, it needs the wings of fasting and almsgiving. Prayer is the path to humility. That path must begin from our home. Prayer does not make anyone arrogant, but it gives us the inner eyes to recognize the suffering of those around us. It is a warm conversation of love and faith that warms the heart. Prayer is penance. Penance is healing. Those who pray are healed by the Word. Only such people can turn their own wounds into diamonds and become a balsam for the wounds of the world. Let us embrace the cross in this Lent season of the Jubilee Year and strive to be proclaimers of hope. May our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving not become farces but be pleasing to the Father who sees us in secret.