My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today, as we celebrate Holy Family Sunday, we also mark the opening of the Jubilee Year 2025, a year filled with the promise of renewal and grace under the theme "Hope Does Not Disappoint." This celebration invites us to reflect on the Holy Family as a model for our own families and to embrace the Jubilee's call to prayer, pilgrimage, and acts of charity. Today, the Holy Year Door was opened at St. John Lateran, the cathedral church for the Diocese of Rome. All of us have been asked to invite people in dioceses around the world to join him in praying for an outpouring of grace on those seeking the gift of hope in their lives. We do so joyfully today here at the Cathedral of St. Paul in downtown Birmingham. 

Whenever I contemplate the Holy Family, I think of the many joys that are part and parcel of family life as well as the enormous burdens and challenges many families face today. Yet, the family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, remains an ideal because Christ Himself was born into it. God was at the center! I also think of my own family. Dad did so many things behind the scenes that we never knew, from repairing small appliances, to gardening, to ice fishing, snowmobiling, and even ski-jumping. Mom, a teacher at heart, encouraged us to be the best we could be as though we were one of her prized pupils. My brother, whose talents and skills differed from my own, enjoyed interests, gifts, and humor which complemented everyone else’s. The seeds of a sound family life were there. I thank the Lord for this amazing gift and the memories that are anchors in my adult life.

The Holy Family: A model for family life

The Gospel recounts a pivotal moment in the life of the Holy Family, a snapshot in time where we catch a glimpse of Mary and Joseph searching anxiously for the young Jesus, who got lost in the crowd at one of the high holy days in the Temple in Jerusalem. They find Him in the temple, immersed in His Father's work. (Luke 2:41-52) This scene discloses the humanity and faith of the Holy Family. They experienced challenges and uncertainties, just as we do in our own families. Yet, their trust in God and their love for one another prevailed.

Pope St. Paul VI, in his reflection on the Holy Family, called Nazareth "a kind of school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus—the school of the Gospel." He pointed out three lessons we learn from the Holy Family: silence, family life, and work. We need all three as family life is dynamic and ever changing, yet the brief moments of silence and reflection are necessary to appreciate our time together. Similarly, our work contributes to the good of the family and society in order to sustain family life and have a sense of accomplishment. These lessons are timeless, showing us precisely how ordinary life can be a path to holiness and union with Christ.

The Jubilee Year: A time of grace and renewal

This Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis is a "special moment of life" for the Church and for all of us. Even though much of the focus will be on Rome, we also link our thoughts and intentions to this outpouring of grace for the Church. It is a privileged time as individuals and as families to experience God's abundant grace through the three pillars of the Jubilee: “prayer, pilgrimage, and acts of charity.”

1. Prayer - In this year, we are invited to deepen our relationship with God through prayer. Families can come together to pray daily, reflecting on Scripture and sharing their faith. Let us follow the example of the Holy Family, who centered their lives on God. We can be reminded of what Father Peyton, the Rosary priest, noted, “A family that prays together, stays together.”

2. Pilgrimage - While many will journey to Rome as part of this Jubilee, not everyone can go in person. Yet, the spirit of pilgrimage can be lived out in our parishes and dioceses. Visiting a local cathedral, shrine, or even taking a "spiritual pilgrimage" through reflection and prayer can open our hearts wider to God's grace.

3. Acts of Charity - The Jubilee calls us to embody hope through concrete acts of love and mercy. Serving the poor, forgiving one another, and supporting those in need are ways we can bring the Jubilee's spirit into our daily lives. Pope Francis reminds us, "Hope opens new horizons, making us capable of dreaming what is not even imaginable."

Might I suggest that the Sunday and daily Eucharist, is a privileged place where this comes to life. We come together to pray, to be in silence, to become a family of faith, to pause and find a place of refreshment and peace, to pray with one another and pray for our Church’s mission. As we listen to God’s Word proclaimed, it is where we can catch a glimpse of the truth about our relationship with God. We listen and are able to respond wholeheartedly to the invitation to a people on mission, a people that, having been fed and nourished by His Word and Eucharist, will be sent on mission to proclaim and live this amazing life. Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord, we say at the end of Mass. Yes, we are a Church on mission, a Church going out, a Church offering hope to a despairing world.

Living the Jubilee spirit in family and community

How can we live the Jubilee spirit in our families and parishes? Here are some practical ways:

1. Family Life - Dedicate time to strengthen bonds within your family. Share meals and be with one another in times of need. Families are the "domestic Church," where faith is nurtured and hope is born.

2. Parish / Diocesan Activities - Participate in Jubilee celebrations organized in your parish or diocese. Join prayer services, engage in charitable initiatives, and support communal acts of worship.

3. Personal Renewal - Use this year to seek reconciliation and healing in your relationships. Make a sincere confession and embrace God's mercy. Renew your commitment to living as a disciple of Christ. We keep the light of Christ burning brightly in our hearts and minds.

‘Hope Does Not Disappoint'

The theme of this Jubilee, “Pilgrims of Hope,” is drawn from St. Paul's words in Romans 5:5: "Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit." This hope is not a fleeting emotion but a firm trust in God's promises. It is often illustrated by an anchor. It keeps us grounded and doesn’t let us wander away. It is a hope that sustains and anchors us in times of trial and inspires us to work for a better future.

As Pope Francis writes in his announcement of the great Jubilee – the Bull of Indiction - "Hope does not lead us to close ourselves in, but opens us up to building a better future for all." It is challenging us to dream the big dreams of what God can do in our lives, in our Church, and in our world. It is a year when we should “expect surprises!” Let us carry this hope into our families, our communities, and our world.

Conclusion

As we embark on this Jubilee Year, we turn to the Holy Family as our guide and inspiration. May their example of faith, hope, and love inspire us to live this special year with hearts open to God's grace. Whether through prayer, pilgrimage, or acts of charity, may we, too, embrace the spirit of the Jubilee, trusting that hope in Christ never disappoints.

As the Jubilee year unfolds, look for parish and diocesan initiatives that will enhance the celebration of this year to strengthen our hope. It begins by opening the doors of our hearts to let Jesus in and allow Him to dwell there. May the Lord bless our families and our Church abundantly in this sacred year. Amen.