Clarity and Questions

Clarity and Questions

Clarity and Questions

Jubilee Preaching Aid for November 30, 2025

These readings for the First Sunday of Advent begin our annual observance with clarity and consistency. They also support the ideals of Jubilee teaching.

In the Isaiah reading we hear that “he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” Is 2:3 We can be pilgrims of hope if we learn his ways and walk as he would.  “The prophets conceived of the Messianic age as a time of justice and peace.”  Jerome Biblical Commentary, page 268

In Psalm 122, the theme of pilgrimage to Jerusalem continues and once there the Psalmist describes Jerusalem as a place of worship and judgment. Prayers are centred on peace and Jerusalem’s complete prosperity. 

Paul’s letter to the Romans is a call to recognize that they are already living in the eschaton. “The period of Christian existence is Kairos, a time when they are called upon to manifest by their actions that they are Christians and to conduct themselves suitably.”  Jerome Biblical Commentary, page 327  Through our baptism we have put on Christ and we must bear witness to this by how we live.

In Matthew’s gospel we are called to vigilance. There is no certainty of the time of the Lord’s return, it will come without warning, as a thief in the night. It is best that we are living in right relationship with the earth and all God’s people. Jubilee also calls us into right relationship with the earth and all God’s people. The land ought to be given a rest, be allowed to lie fallow and we eat what has already been produced. Those in debt, often had their land taken as collateral, and they were put in prison. Jubilee calls for the freeing of prisoners and the restoration of their lands.  The debts were cancelled and they were able to start again with a clean slate.

 During this Jubilee pilgrimage of hope, it has been challenging to learn that:

• 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on debt servicing than the countries spend in education and/or health care. 
• The current global financial systems keep developing countries and underdeveloped countries in a colonial power struggle that keeps countries in dependent relationships.
• Global North countries owe an enormous ecological debt to countries in the Global South who bear the burdens of more frequent, severe climate change events.
• Transnational corporations continue to extract resources from Global South countries often polluting these countries and not paying taxes.
• Massive land theft from Indigenous peoples happens throughout the world.

These realities beg us to ask hard questions:

   Are we living in the Messianic time of justice and peace?

   Are our prayers for peace supported by our actions for justice?

   Are we living in right relationship with the earth? 

   Are we living in just relationships with sisters and brothers in the Global South?

   Are we living our baptism and giving witness to Jesus Christ?

   What can we do to change these realities to truly live as pilgrims of hope?

Have you signed the Jubilee debt cancellation petition?  It is a good first step!

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Pat Carter is a Sister of St. Joseph of Sault Ste Marie, a disciple and an advocate for the poor.

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