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Preaching the Jubilee

Preaching the Jubilee

by The Reverend Gregory Littleton

There once was a saying which read: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." A special message to evangelize for Christ now reads, "If it ain't broke, break it." This event of the Jubilee gives all of us a stronger desire to change and grow closer towards Christ. Because of the immense attention given to the new millennium, we need to break open and change our attitude and become more passionate for Christ. In order to break open our hearts we need to focus more on the sacred mysteries of the Holy Mass and to realize the passion with which Jesus feeds us through his most Holy Eucharist and his living word.

What makes this event so special is that all the people of God throughout the world are called to share their faith in the living and most powerful God. The media of television, newspapers and various publications has enhanced the preparation of the coming millennium. This event is also a reminder that Christ calls all of us to follow him and celebrate his gift of life and love to all. Overall, this Jubilee celebration grants us an opportunity to let ourselves be shaped by Christ.

Long ago there was an expression: "A penny saved is a penny earned," which stated that once a penny was spent you've got nothing left. Preaching the Jubilee urges all of us preachers, as well as those who listen to the Word of God, to hunger for a deeper relationship with the living Christ through conversion and reconciliation, knowing that God is always there for us.

The Jubilee intensifies and awakens in us our need for true repentance to God. Such repentance clearly shows us that we have a responsibility to turn to God in our sinfulness. Sinfulness, which disturbs our peaceful relationship with God, deprives us of inner harmony in our lives. Fortunately for us fallen people, God is always there for us. This Jubilee allows us to yearn for the Redeemer, who by divine will, will take the guilt of our sin and bridge the gap that separates the human race from God.

Conversion to Christ during this Jubilee year requires trust. God has constantly proven himself trustworthy in sacrament and word. We must respond despite our doubts and fears, and hope to trust deeper in Christ. This millennium must instill confidence that Christ longs to be with us and our response to Christ must be that we will not abandon our need for him. We must have an unconditional readiness to change in order to be converted closer to Christ. If you look at the same penny it is clearly inscribed with the words, "In God We Trust."

In preaching the celebration of the millennium, I reflect on the phrase, "Life is Fragile, Handle with Care." As a priest, I must continue to inform the people of God how much he cares for all of us "yesterday, today and always." In other words, God is always consistent in his promise in caring for us, so we too must be consistent in our promise to him.

Unfortunately, there have been several publications and predictions which differ. These differences lead to doom and gloom concerning the millennium which stresses no hope in Christ or in life. In this manner, I strongly agree with our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, that the millennium is not an end in our relationship with Christ, but a new beginning. Not a desolation, but a consolation to all those who profess their faith in him.

We must continue to pray with Mary, the Holy Mother of God, St. Joseph and all the angels and saints, to persevere in our commitment with God. With Christ there is always hope, and his message for us as we prepare for the Jubilee celebration is "Life is Fragile, Handle with Prayer."

Once I saw a billboard which read: "There are two sure things in life: 1) There is a God, and 2) You're not Him." We should not get caught up in illusions about ourselves. Rather, we must open our eyes and hearts and get caught up in Christ. God desires us, his sacred children, to be transformed in the likeness of his Son. We must allow his super-natural graces to pierce our soul and surrender fully to him without setting any limits of our nature under his influence.

We must continue to share daily the Passion, Death and Resurrection, and to strive for perfection. Like Sacred Scripture tells us: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Ps. 94:8) God is calling us to transform our hearts and pray for the people of the world, that we will be one in answering his call to be open to the needs of all.

As we prepare for the millennium, we must be of one mind and one heart with God and one another and live in his message of Peace. Truly, there are two sure things in life: 1)There is a God, and 2) We need him!

Fr. Greg Littleton currently serves as Associate Pastor in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon, North Carolina. He was ordained in 1990.