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Thursday, January 9, 2003

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1 John 4:19—5:4
Psalm 72
Luke 4:14-22

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perpetual jubilarians

"Proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." —Luke 4:19

Two years and three days ago Pope John Paul II closed the holy door and concluded the Great Jubilee. This did not mean that we are no longer jubilarians. Rather, it meant that the greatest of all jubilees was over, and we should accept the grace for our lives to be perpetual jubilees. Jesus promised us this grace when He began His public ministry. The Spirit of the Lord was upon Him "to proclaim liberty to captives" and "to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord" (Lk 4:18, 19). Baptized into Christ, we are perpetual jubilarians.

Each Christmas we sing: "Angels we have heard on high" and ask the question: "Shepherds why this jubilee?" As we continue the jubilation of the Christmas season, let us rejoice in a new Pentecost in which the Holy Spirit frees us and renews the face of the earth (Ps 104:30). "With joy" let us "draw water at the fountain of salvation" (Is 12:3). Let us join Mary, magnifying the greatness of the Lord and rejoicing in God our Savior (Lk 1:46-47). May the jubilation of Christmas launch us into a jubilee year of freedom, justice, salvation, reconciliation, and restoration. Be a perpetual jubilarian in Christ.

Prayer:  Father, by Your love, fill me with jubilation forever.

Promise:  "We love because He first loved us." —1 Jn 4:19

Praise:  When tempted to be overwhelmed by life's little problems, Mary sings praise to the Lord and is soon filled anew with the joy of the Lord.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape on The Jubilee Year on audio AV 109-1 or video V-109.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002