Jubilee Year of Mercy – January 2016

Discovering ways to live the Year of Mercy…

During this Jubilee Year, the Church makes clear its mission of being a witness to mercy. It is a journey that begins with a spiritual conversion—and ends on November 20, 2016, the Sunday dedicated to Jesus, King of the Universe and the living face of the Father’s mercy. Jubilee years have a deep history in the Hebrew Scriptures. According to Leviticus, slaves and prisoners were freed, debts forgiven, land and possessions returned to their rightful owners. Perhaps most important, during such a year the mercy of God would be manifested. Just as the ancient Hebrews forgave debts, so the Church today, in the words of Pope Francis, ”has an endless desire to show mercy.” The Holy Father states it clearly: “This is an opportune moment to change our lives.” In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Holy Father calls on sinners to repent, reminding us that “God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.”

In his book, “Jesus of Nazareth,” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI tells us what the birth of Christ means. “He has brought God, and now we know his face. Now we know the path that we human beings have to take in this world. Jesus has brought God and with God the truth about where we are going and where we come from.”

Early Christians came to understand that the name of Jesus had great power, and that the recitation of His name was itself a form of prayer. Heeding St. Paul’s guidance to pray without ceasing, their ancient, short prayer became known as the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”

In the Eastern churches especially, this prayer became most popular. It is silently recited over and over throughout the waking hours, usually in rhythm with breathing. This is why it is also known as the “prayer of the heart.”  It is a prayer rich in theological and spiritual meaning. The words form the essence of the Christian faith in echoing Peter: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

This prayer also emulates the words of the repentant publican who Jesus describes in Luke’s Gospel: “Have mercy on me a sinner.”

The Church sets aside the first month of the year to honor of the holy name of Jesus—and to remind us of the power of Christ’s name and to encourage us to pray in His name.  Why not make a New Year’s resolution for 2016 to always have the Jesus Prayer on your lips and in your heart?

Our prayer today: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.