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Actually, you have many purposes! Previous Next Table of Contents You Have a Purpose Actually, you have many purposes! Image provided by Wix. Tom Faletti You have a purpose! In fact, you have multiple purposes in many different dimensions of your life. You are part of God’s great plan for the human race, a plan that depends on your active cooperation and creativity. You are made in God’s image, and God is working to reveal that image in you and through you. God is also working in every person around you. Your mission, your calling if you accept it, is to shine forth the image of God fully, in your unique way, and to help others do the same in their unique ways, so that the world may become what God has always intended it to be. You are not an accident. God designed the universe so that it had the capability to produce a person with your unique abilities and interests. He did this with a goal: so that you could freely choose to take on the character of God and let it shine forth in your own unique way. Because of your unique nature and experiences, you have the opportunity to reflect the image of God in your own distinct and special ways. This is one of the many beautiful things about God‘s creation: that each person has the potential to show forth the very image of God in their own unique ways. You are not alone in this potential. It is inherent in every human being. We all are made with a purpose and a unique role to play in bringing the image of God to life in this world. In order to reflect God‘s image accurately, we need to know what God is like. Fortunately, God did not leave us groping in the dark for an understanding of His nature and character. He sent his son Jesus to show us who He is. Jesus became one of us to show us how to live — how to be like Him in our own unique ways. Jesus talked about the kingdom of God — the place where what God desires for humans actually happens. He said the kingdom of God is “near” or “at hand” (Mark 1:15; Luke 10:9). He wants us to embrace God‘s ways and infuse them into every aspect of our natural lives. When we take on the character of God and allow it to transform our lives, we change the world around us so that it is a little bit more like what God intended, so that a little more of the kingdom of God is present. This means that for each and every one of us there is an ever-present invitation from God, telling us all the time: You Can Change Your World! I’m not saying you’re going to change the entire world in one grand act. But every day, multiple times every day, we have opportunities to change our little part of the world. At every moment, we can make our part of the world reflect more fully God’s vision for the world, or we can let it reflect something else. We can choose to show forth the image of God — what He intends us to be, what He has designed us to be — or we can miss the opportunity. The choice is ours. The invitation is always fresh. This is the unseen truth about our lives: that the God who created the universe is standing with each of us at all times, always ready to enable us to bring a little bit more of Himself into every situation. And every time we say yes to God and do the things that reflect who God is, we transform another part of the world and become a bit more like Him. God does not force us to accept this invitation. The choice is always ours: Right now, at this very moment, will I be like Jesus, and change a little bit of this world to be more like what God intended it to be, or will I go my own way? That is always a choice. But God’s desire is even greater than that. He is not interested only in transforming us as individuals and transforming our little parts of the world. He wants to change the entire way that human society operates. He wants to transform all of human life so that it reflects His nature. No single person can do that. Fortunately, we are not alone. God calls us to work together to redeem the culture, change social structures where needed, and transform the world. Guided by God’s clear teaching in the Bible, working in and through the community known as the church as well as with other people of good will, we can work to transform the social structures of our society to make them reflect more of the nature and character of God. This, too, is part of our calling, because this, too, is part of God’s desired plan. What an adventure God is offering us! No day need be dull when we accept the invitation He is offering us. In this book, we will explore who God is, what He is trying to do in this world, and how we can cooperate in the transformation He is trying to achieve in us and, through us, in the world. In the course of our explorations, we will have to confront some difficult questions, the foremost of which is: If God is all-loving, why does He allow so much suffering in the world? To answer that question, we will have to put on the mind of Christ in order to understand more fully what God’s purposes are for human beings, individually and as a whole. A second difficult question we will have to confront is this: Deep down, most people know how they should act towards others. Yet time and time again, people put themselves first and mistreat others. Why do people cause so much suffering in the world? Why do we ourselves get it wrong so often? And what does God want us to do about it? Fortunately, there are answers to these questions, if we are willing to search the Scriptures carefully and put on the mind of Christ. As we learn to see as God sees and think as God thinks, we can understand what God is trying to do in the world and in our lives, and find a way to participate fully in God’s work. When we do that, we discover another unseen truth about the world: There is great joy in participating in the work of God. If you are ready to tackle tough questions and embrace your calling to participate in God’s work to change the world, read on! Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Table of Contents Next

If God isn't powerful, we can't count on him for much. Previous Next Table of Contents Is God More Powerful Than Any Other Force? If God isn't powerful, we can't count on him for much. Tom Faletti (to be continued) Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Table of Contents Next

The Jubilee Year invites us to encounter Jesus, who is our hope. (Paragraphs 1, 5, and 6 of Spes Non Confundit) Previous Next Jubilee Year 2025: Embrace God’s Hope and Extend It to All Session 2: The Jubilee leads us on a journey of hope The Jubilee Year invites us to encounter Jesus, who is our hope. (Read paragraphs 1, 5, and 6) Link to S pes Non Confundit Photo by Tom Faletti, Rothenburg, Germany, June 26, 2024. Tom Faletti November 16, 2024 In this session, we will see Pope Francis reveal one of his deepest desires: that this Jubilee may help us have a personal encounter with Jesus and an intense experience of God’s love, which will awaken hope in our hearts. We will further explore Pope Francis’s discussion of why Jesus is our hope and then move into the second section of Spes Non Confundit , where he explains the concept of a Jubilee Year, how the Jubilee Year has been celebrated in the past and will be celebrated this year. He will also explore the meaning and value of a pilgrimage. Our study guide questions will help us explore how we have experienced a personal encounter with Jesus and how we can experience the love of God more fully. We will explore our own possible participation in the Jubilee Year, how our faith can be thought of as a pilgrimage or journey of hope, and how the light we shine might communicate the love of God to others. Read paragraphs 1, 5, and 6 in preparation for this session. Paragraph 1 (one more insight: a personal encounter with Jesus) 🔗 Let’s look at one more part of paragraph 1 before we move forward. At the end of paragraph 1, Pope Francis quotes from Paul’s first letter to Timothy and from the Gospel of John – passages of Scripture that refer to Jesus as our hope and as the door to eternal life. Read 1 Timothy 1:1 Why is Christ Jesus our hope? Read John 10:7-10 Some translations say Jesus is the “door” and some say He is the “gate” (they are different possible translations of the same Greek word). How is Jesus a door (or gate) for us? How does Jesus’s role as the door to salvation and abundant life give you hope? Pope Francis connects the role of Jesus as the door of our salvation to the Holy Year of Jubilee, where special doors of grace are opened in Rome. He says: “For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus” (par. 1). What does he mean by a personal encounter with Jesus? How have you experienced a personal encounter with Jesus, and how does it give you hope? Suggested Activity: How well do you know the life and teachings of Jesus? Have you ever read His whole story? If you like to read novels, read one of the Gospels. If you prefer podcasts, listen to an audio reading of a Gospel. (If you think you don’t have time, consider how long it takes to read a novel. You can read or listen to an entire Gospel in 3 hours.) Some suggestions for where to start: the Gospel of Mark (the shortest), the Gospel of Matthew (the most practical), the Gospel of John (the most “spiritual”). (Section 2) A journey of hope In this section, Pope Francis discusses the practice of the Jubilee Year. Paragraph 5 (the Christian life as a journey, and the role of Jubilee Years) 🔗 In paragraph 5, what are some of the examples Pope Francis offers for how God was at work in the Church prior to the first Jubilee in the year 1300? In the second part [1] of paragraph 5, what are some of the benefits of going on a pilgrimage? Have you ever experienced the benefits of a pilgrimage (near or far away)? Explain. The title of this section is “A journey of hope.” How is your faith life like a journey, with many stops and encounters along the way? How do you find hope on your journey of faith? Suggested Activity: If you are unable to take a pilgrimage to Rome, contact your diocesan office and ask how you might take a Jubilee Year pilgrimage to the Jubilee Year site designated by your bishop (which may be your local cathedral). As you avail yourself of this opportunity, allow the love of God to permeate you and purify you from all that is not of Christ. In the third part of paragraph 5, Pope Francis refers to the Eastern (Catholic) Churches, which are a group of churches that are autonomous and have distinct practices from those in the Roman Catholic Church but operate within the worldwide Catholic Church and are in full communion with the Pope. Pope Francis’s mention of “their Orthodox brothers and sisters” refers to the Eastern Orthodox Church, an independent communion of churches that, like the Catholic Church, traces its roots to the apostles but has been separated from the Roman Catholic Church since 1054. He says they have endured violence and instability because many of these churches are located in areas of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa that are currently torn by war. In the third part of paragraph 5, why does Pope Francis invite members of the Eastern Churches to participate in this Jubilee, and why does he especially extend an “embrace” to all those who currently “endure their own Way of the Cross”? How might the Church’s concern for them give them “hope”? Why is it important to extend a hand of friendship to others in Christ’s divided Body? Paragraph 6 (this Jubilee Year) 🔗 In paragraph 6, Pope Francis places this Holy Year in the context of a series of Holy Years that are being celebrated from 2000 to 2033. What are the events that took place in Jesus’s life that make 2000 and 2033 especially important to be celebrated? Pope Francis says that the purpose of the Jubilee Year of 2025 is to “invite everyone to an intense experience of the love of God that awakens in hearts the sure hope of salvation in Christ” (par. 6). Unpack this sentence: What does “an intense experience” mean? What is Pope Francis hoping will happen in 2025? What does he mean by people experiencing “the love of God”? What specifically is he hoping they will experience? What is “the sure hope of salvation in Christ”? In what ways can our hope of salvation be “sure”? What does it mean when he says that our hope is to be “awakened”? In what ways might it need to be awakened in a fresh way? Why is it important that we are “inviting” people? Why is it important that we are inviting “everyone”? Re-read the full sentence: “Now the time has come for a new Jubilee, when once more the Holy Door will be flung open to invite everyone to an intense experience of the love of God that awakens in hearts the sure hope of salvation in Christ” (par. 6). When have you had this experience of the love of God in the past? What can you do to help extend this invitation to others? In what areas of your life do you need a renewal of this experience? What can you do to enter more fully into the experience of the love of God in your heart? The second part of paragraph 6 describes how the Jubilee Year begins in Rome. What happens there? Note: The third part of paragraph 6 describes what is to happen in every diocese. A Mass is celebrated in each diocese’s cathedral to open the Jubilee Year, and local bishops are designating special pilgrimage sites within their dioceses. Do you think you will participate, or have you participated, in some way in the Jubilee Year in your diocese? Why or why not? What do you hope to experience, or have you experienced, by your participation? At the end of the last part of paragraph 6, Pope Francis expresses his hope for what will happen during this Jubilee Year. How might you participate in shining “the light of Christian hope” as “a message of God’s love addressed to all” (par. 6, part 4), and how might you overcome anything that might hold you back from doing so? Suggested Activities: Invite someone to come to church with you. Share with a friend or neighbor, in a low-key way, how God has made a difference in your life and see where the conversation goes. Closing question: How might you more effectively “bear faithful witness” (par. 6, part 4) to the message of God’s love, to those around you? [1] See A Note About Our Terminology for an explanation of what we mean by a “part” of a paragraph. Bibliography See Jubilee Year 2025 - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/jubilee-2025/bibliography . Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Jubilee 2025 Contents Next

If God doesn't care about us, we are in a pretty precarious position. Previous Next Table of Contents Does God Care? If God doesn't care about us, we are in a pretty precarious position. Tom Faletti (to be continued) Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Table of Contents Next

Outside the timeline. Previous Next Table of Contents Where is God? - Part 1 Outside the timeline. Tom Faletti (to be continued) Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Table of Contents Next

God’s judgment; indulgence and Penance; the Mother of God; hope as an anchor. (Paragraphs 22-25 of Spes Non Confundit) Previous Next Jubilee Year 2025: Embrace God’s Hope and Extend It to All Session 7: A life anchored in hope, part 2 God’s judgment; indulgence and Penance; the Mother of God; hope as an anchor. (Read paragraphs 22-25) Link to S pes Non Confundit Photo by Tom Faletti, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, November 4, 2024. Tom Faletti November 16, 2024 When you complete this study, please give us feedback using this feedback form . God loves us so much that even God’s judgment is not to be feared for those who seek to follow God. That is the message of the final paragraphs of Spes Non Confundit , where Pope Francis encourages us to live a life anchored in hope. He explains the role of the indulgences that are offered during the Jubilee Year, calls us to receive God’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance, and points to Mary as an example of persevering hope. Although we face God’s judgment at the end of our lives, we can approach God with confidence because, even though we may need to be purified before living forever with God, our salvation has been won by Jesus. Our study guide questions will help us explore the criteria Jesus will use in the Last Judgment, the effects of sin and how we might overcome those effects, how Jesus’s mother Mary is a role model, and how the way we live our lives can bring hope to others. We are on a journey where we can make a difference in the lives of others, not just ourselves! Read paragraphs 22-25 in preparation for this session. Paragraph 22 (God’s judgment) 🔗 In paragraph 22, Pope Francis looks squarely at the reality that we will all be judged by God. Read 1 John 4:7-16 According to John, how do we know that God loves us? According to John, how can we abide or live in God’s love? Read Matthew 25:31-46 What are the criteria by which God will judge us at the Last Judgment? How are you currently active in some form of service to others in need, or how might you take a step forward into service? Suggested Activities: Get involved in the work of a soup kitchen or food pantry in your community. Help a crisis pregnancy center as it seeks to provide the most basic needs of newborns in your area: cribs, diapers, baby food, clothes, etc. Talk with a homeless person you encounter on the street. Reach out to a stranger who is new to your neighborhood or parish and welcome them. Practice putting on new eyes that see the people in need who are normally invisible to most of us as we live our busy and distracted lives. Read Wisdom 12:19-22 In paragraph 22, Pope Francis quotes from the Book of Wisdom as evidence of God’s mercy. According to Wisdom 12:19, why is repentance an important step toward hope? What does receiving mercy from God (Wisdom 12:22) mean to you? What does it look like? In the second part of paragraph 22, Pope Francis tells us that we need to be “purified” in order to have “a definitive encounter with the Lord.” What does he mean by “purified”? How does Pope Francis connect this to our prayers for those who have died? Suggested Activity: Pray for those who have died, that God may purify them for eternal life. Paragraph 23 (indulgence and the sacrament of Penance) 🔗 In the multiple parts of paragraph 23, Pope Francis explains the Church’s teaching on indulgence and how it is different from the forgiveness of sins we receive in the sacrament of Penance. Read Psalm 103:2-4, 8, 10-12 What do these verses of Psalm 103 tell us about what happens when we confess our sins? What does this psalm tell us about God’s mercy and what God does with our sins? In the second part of paragraph 23, how does Pope Francis describe the purpose and effects of the sacrament of Penance? The Jubilee Year offers a special indulgence for those who participate fully in its practices. A separate Vatican document issued in May 2024 summarizes the indulgence as follows: “All the faithful, who are truly repentant and free from any affection for sin (cf. Enchiridion Indulgentiarum , IV ed., norm. 20, § 1), who are moved by a spirit of charity and who, during the Holy Year, purified through the sacrament of penance and refreshed by Holy Communion, pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff, will be able to obtain from the treasury of the Church a plenary indulgence, with remission and forgiveness of all their sins” ( Decree on the Granting of the Indulgence During the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025 Called by His Holiness Pope Francis ). This indulgence can be applied to souls in Purgatory if certain requirements are met. In the third part of paragraph 23, what does Pope Francis mean when he says that every sin “leaves its mark,” and what does the Jubilee indulgence do? In the fourth part of paragraph 23, what does Pope Francis say about forgiving others? Why should the experience of receiving forgiveness from God lead us to forgive others? Suggested Activities: Go to confession and confess your sins to God. Where appropriate, reach out to those you have hurt and ask their forgiveness. Forgive someone who has done something wrong to you. Practice seeing others as God sees them and extend to them the grace and forgiveness that God extends to you. Paragraph 24 (the Mother of God) 🔗 Read Luke 2:25-35 What did Simeon say about Jesus? How does he describe Jesus in his prayer? In verses 34-35, Simeon tells Mary that she will suffer, but he says more than that in verses 29-35. How might his words have been an encouragement to her to have hope? Pope Francis presents Mary as the supreme example of hope and notes that the 500th anniversary of her appearance as Our Lady of Guadalupe is near. How have Mary’s appearances throughout history encouraged people who are suffering to have hope? How is Mary an example of hope for you? Suggested Activities: Pray the Magnificat and connect with Mary’s hope and trust in God. Use the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary as a way to contemplate Mary’s hope-filled approach to life; then seek to follow her model of willingness to submit to God’s will. Paragraph 25 (hope as an anchor) 🔗 Read Hebrews 6:17-20 Why do you think Hebrews 6:17-20 calls hope an “anchor” for our souls? Note: People sometimes find Hebrews 6:17-18 confusing. The author of Hebrews points to two things that are immutable (cannot change) because they come straight from the mouth of God: God’s promise to Abraham that he would have a son (Genesis 17:4; 18:10; and 21:22) and God’s oath to Abraham that he would have countless descendants through whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed (Genesis 22:16-18). Our hope rests on the fact that God does not lie. In the second part of paragraph 25, Pope Francis explains why he thinks the image of an anchor is so appropriate. What metaphor does he use to show how hope is an anchor? How is hope an anchor for your life? In the third part of paragraph 25, Pope Francis suggests that our hope in God can affect our work “in the Church and in society, in our interpersonal relationships, in international relations, and in our task of promoting the dignity of all persons and respect for God’s gift of creation” – in other words, in every facet of our lives, sacred and secular. How can we bring our hope in God into parts of society that are not explicitly “spiritual”? How can we put our hope in God into action to care for the environment and the Earth? In the final part of paragraph 25, Pope Francis says, “May the way we live our lives” encourage others to have hope. What is one thing you can do, in the way you live your life, that might spread hope to others? Suggested Activity: Go through an examination of conscience or examen. Use it to try to detect areas of your life where you need to make adjustments so that your life spreads hope and the love of God to others. Act on your discoveries. Closing questions: Looking back over this entire study of Spes Non Confundit , what do you think God wants you to take from this study and put into practice in your life? How might God want you to make adjustments in how you think , to more fully anchor your life in the hope that comes from God? How might God want you to make adjustments in the things you say , so that your words communicate clearly your hope in God? How might God want you to make changes in the things you do , so that your hope in God leads to actions that benefit the world around you? What is one thing you might do to help extend God’s hope to the poor, the sick, the young, the elderly, migrants, refugees, or prisoners? End this study with a prayer, asking God to empower you to ground your life ever more fully in God’s hope and effectively extend that hope to others in service and love. When you complete this study, please give us feedback using this feedback form . You can also share your thoughts using the Contact Form at the bottom of this page. Bibliography See Jubilee Year 2025 - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/jubilee-2025/bibliography . Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Jubilee 2025 Contents Next

The poor; the goods of the earth, debt, economic priorities; synodality. (Paragraphs 15-17 of Spes Non Confundit) Previous Next Jubilee Year 2025: Embrace God’s Hope and Extend It to All Session 5: Where signs of hope are needed today, part 3, and broader appeals for hope The poor; the goods of the earth, debt, economic priorities; synodality. (Read paragraphs 15-17) Link to S pes Non Confundit Photo by Tom Faletti, Berlin, Germany, June 20, 2024. Tom Faletti November 16, 2024 Some of the greatest divisions in the world seem to revolve around economics and religion. In the paragraphs of Spes Non Confundit that we will explore in this session, Pope Francis first voices God’s special concern for the poor. He then offers proposals for responding to the divide between wealthy and poorer nations. Finally, he highlights the Church’s long history of synodality as part of a call for greater unity among God’s people in the Church. Our study guide questions will help us explore how we can live lives that show greater solidarity with the poor, how we might appeal to our leaders to place a greater priority on meeting the needs of the poor and providing justice for all, and how we can promote unity in the Church. Rather than shaking our heads in despair at the challenges around us, we are called to find ways to work for justice and unity in our world and in our Church. Our loving God stands on the side of responsive hope rather than idle despair. Read paragraphs 15-17 in preparation for this session. Paragraph 15 (the poor) 🔗 In paragraph 15, Pope Francis gives an impassioned plea on behalf of the poor. What are some of the ways he sees them being neglected and impoverished? Pope Francis says that when we see “the constant tide of new forms of impoverishment, we can easily grow inured and resigned” (par. 15). What does he mean? Why do we become “inured or resigned”? How does poverty drain people of hope? How can you live a life that is more fully identified with the poor as an act of solidarity? Read 1 John 3:16-17 According to 1 John 3:16, who is our example for how we should treat others, and what do you think it calls you to do as a follower of Christ? What does John tell us in 1 John 3:17? What are some concrete things you could do, on your own or with others, to respond to some of the poverty around you? If Christians engaged in more concerted efforts to help the poor, it naturally would lift the hopes of the poor. How might it also give greater hope to you or others who are doing the helping? Now return to what Pope Francis wrote in paragraph 15. Why does he say that it is “scandalous” that “the poor continue to be the majority of the planet’s population” (par. 15)? Pope Francis is not only concerned with our individual responses to the poor; he is also concerned about the actions of leaders in the international economy. Why does the world need more than just our individual responses? In what ways might it be said that, for world economic leaders, the problems of the world’s poor “are brought up as an afterthought” (par. 15)? How might political and economic leaders do a better job of addressing poverty? Suggested Activities: Explore the work of Catholic Relief Services , which provides developmental assistance to communities in need all over the world and provides opportunities for church members to advocate for governmental action to address poverty around the world. Consider a more frugal and earth-sustaining lifestyle. Distinguish between needs, wants, and luxuries when you are considering purchases. If you save money this way, consider giving some of it to organizations that serve the poor. (Section 4) Appeals for hope In this section, Pope Francis discusses some broader ways of thinking about the issues we face. Paragraph 16 (the goods of the earth, debt, and economic priorities) 🔗 Pope Francis says that the goods of the earth are for everyone, not for a privileged few. This runs contrary to the prevailing view that whatever you own is yours – period, end of story. In paragraph 16, Pope Francis make a specific request of the rich. What does he ask them to do? In the same paragraph, Pope Francis makes a specific request of governments. What does he ask them to do with the money spent on weapons? What do you think about Pope Francis’s requests? Pope Francis is raising questions about the priorities of those who have the greatest impact on how the world’s resources are used. Let’s look at this question of priorities on a personal level and on a societal level. Read Matthew 25:41-42 and 25:45 What does Jesus say about our failure to provide food and water to those who need it? There is enough food in the world to feed everyone, but the food is not distributed equitably enough to meet all people’s basic needs. What does this say about our priorities? What changes is Pope Francis asking us to make in our priorities, and what would your response be? What are one or two things you could do – either directly or as an advocate appealing to people in power – to try to reduce poverty and increase access to food and water? What could people in power do to increase access to food and water? Suggested Activity: Explore the work of Bread for the World , a Christian organization that is the leading anti-hunger voice in the halls of Congress. This group helps church members and other people of good will become advocates for action as it calls on our leaders to take the necessary steps to end malnutrition and hunger in our nation and our world. Read Leviticus 25:13-17,23-24 The Law of Moses prescribed that every 50th year (the jubilee year) all land would be returned to its original owner, so that families would not be indebted forever. Pope Francis quotes from Leviticus 25:23, where the Lord tells the Israelites that they are tenants on the land, not permanent owners, because the land belongs to God. If we viewed land this way in our society, how might that lead to changes in the situation of the poor? We might not be able to implement the full vision of Leviticus 25:23, but what might we do to move closer to a society where people are not mired in debt? In the second part of paragraph 16, Pope Francis raises the issue of debt relief for countries that cannot repay their loans. Debt relief can help address the lingering effects of past injustices related to colonization. Pope Francis notes that economic disparities can be exacerbated by the disproportionate use of the earth’s natural resources by wealthy countries. Would you be willing to support debt relief programs that try to help indebted countries get a fresh start? Why or why not? What might you do to learn more about the history of colonial practices that impoverished so many nations in Africa, South America, and South Asia and the economic imbalances that still affect them? Suggested Activity: Do some research to learn more about the history of colonization, the ways wealthy and powerful nations have extracted wealth from poorer and weaker nations, and how the power imbalances of the past continue to hold back the development of the nations of the global South today. Share what you learn with a friend or neighbor. Paragraph 17 (synodality) 🔗 In paragraph 17, Pope Francis notes that 2025 is the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, where bishops approved the bulk of the Nicene Creed that we proclaim at Mass every Sunday. The Pope does not mention this merely to remind us of Church history and doctrine, but to illustrate the value and importance of church synods in the life of the Church. Synodality is the idea that we must include all of the People of God as we journey together and discern what God is doing and wants to do in our Church. In paragraph 17, Pope Francis discusses the concept of synodality, which goes back to the early days of the Church. Why does Pope Francis say that synodality is important? How might a synodal approach to Church life help build unity? At the end of the third part of paragraph 17, Pope Francis quotes Jesus’s prayer for unity, which appears in John 17:21. What does Jesus’s call for unity say to us, and how should we respond? According to Jesus’s prayer, how can unity in the Church have an effect that goes beyond the Church itself? How can we support the Church’s efforts to express unity through synodality? Suggested Activity: Reach out to someone in your parish who thinks differently than you on issues related to the Church or politics. Invite them to get together with you for coffee so that you can listen to their perspective. Let the conversation proceed without any intention to convince the other person – just listen and learn. The very act of listening is part of what synodality is about. It helps build unity, even when we don’t agree. Closing question: In these paragraphs, Pope Francis is trying to build a unity of purpose that transcends economic differences, reaches out across national boundaries, and draws together the entire Church. What needs to change in people’s hearts in order for this unity of purpose to be fostered? What needs to change in your heart to help you more fully embrace this unity of purpose? Bibliography See Jubilee Year 2025 - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/jubilee-2025/bibliography . Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Jubilee 2025 Contents Next

Peace and war; welcoming children; prisoners. (Paragraphs 7-10 of Spes Non Confundit) Previous Next Jubilee Year 2025: Embrace God’s Hope and Extend It to All Session 3: Where signs of hope are needed today, part 1 Peace and war; welcoming children; prisoners. (Read paragraphs 7-10) Link to S pes Non Confundit This ancient tree looks hollowed out and dead on the bottom (left), but it is still producing new leaves in its upper branches (right). Photo by Tom Faletti, On the grounds of the Topkapı Palace, Istanbul, Turkiye. October 26, 2023. Tom Faletti November 16, 2024 Everywhere we look in our world, hope is desperately needed. People everywhere are suffering. No one seems more aware of the magnitude of the suffering than Pope Francis. The whole world is his flock, and he calls on us to care as he cares. In the third section of Spes Non Confundit , Pope Francis discusses the many areas of people’s lives where greater hope is needed and what we can do about it. We will explore these areas over the next three sessions, starting with the difficult issues of war, the need to build a society where people want to welcome children into the world, and how to treat people in prison with dignity and respect. Our study guide questions will help us explore ways that leaders can work for peace in our world, but also ways we can be peacemakers in our own lives. We will also explore ways to encourage young people to be open to starting families, and ways that our justice system could do more to honor the human dignity of all people. It is our calling and privilege to bring God’s hope to all people, even in the most challenging circumstances. Read paragraphs 7-10 in preparation for this session. (Section 3) Signs of hope In paragraphs 7 through 15, Pope Francis discusses 8 areas of social life where hope is especially needed in our time. Where he provides scriptural references, we will explore them. Where he does not, we will look at Scripture passages that clearly speak to the concerns he raises. Paragraph 7 (signs of the times) 🔗 Pope Francis uses the term “signs of the times.” To read the signs of the times means to examine what is going on in the real world around us. Pope Francis recalls that the Second Vatican Council document Guadium et Spes (“Joy and Hope”) reminds the Church to interpret those “signs” in the light of the Gospel. That is what we will do in the next few sessions. Why is it important to use the Gospel in interpreting what is happening in our world today? Pope Francis does not want us to recognize only the challenges we face but also “the immense good present in our world” and “the yearning of human hearts” (par. 7). Why is it valuable to start by seeing the good and the desire for good, as we consider areas where people are suffering? Paragraph 8 (peace and war) 🔗 Pope Francis says the first sign of hope is the desire for peace amidst war. He finds it baffling, or perhaps shocking, that world leaders have not done more to resolve the many regional wars that are causing so much death and destruction around the world. He offers the Beatitudes as the starting point for discerning how to address the immense suffering caused by so many wars. Read Matthew 5:9 Who does Jesus call “blessed” in Matthew 5:9? What is a “peacemaker”? Jesus doesn’t bless those who “wish for” peace but those who are peace makers . What steps are required to be the kind of person who helps make peace? What is the vision of hope that God would want us to have as we respond to the wars that plague our world? What does Pope Francis want world leaders to do , in order to try to secure a lasting peace? Pope Francis mentions diplomacy. What is the role of diplomats and diplomacy in working for a lasting peace? Why are they important? In what ways can we encourage our leaders and diplomats to be peacemakers? Our leaders are not the only ones who need to be peacemakers. Pope Francis says, “The need for peace challenges us all.” We need to be peacemakers in our own lives – in our families, in our relationships, in our political conversations, in our workplaces, in our social media posts, in our parishes, etc. What are some concrete steps you can take to be a peacemaker in some area of your life where peacemaking may not always be your first impulse? It is hard to be a peacemaker if you do not have peace in your heart. How can you cultivate an inner peace at the core of your being? Suggested Activity: Explore the work of Pax Christi USA , a membership organization of Catholics working to promote peace and nonviolence and resist war, violence, domination, and racism. You can check to see if there is a local chapter of Pax Christi USA near you. Pax Christi USA is a member of Pax Christi International , a global Catholic peace movement. Paragraph 9 (welcoming children) 🔗 Why might Pope Francis be concerned that many young adults don’t want children? In the first part of paragraph 9, what are the societal issues Pope Francis identifies as reasons why people are less open to parenthood in our time? Read Psalm 127:3 In what ways are children a “gift” or “heritage” we receive from God? How is having children a result of hope? How does it also lead to additional hope? Pope Francis calls for a “social covenant” – i.e., public policies – that will help young adults embrace bringing children into the world. How might we do this in a way that is “inclusive and not ideological” and avoids making young adults feel pressured to have children? Paragraph 10 (prisoners) 🔗 In paragraph 10, Pope Francis asks us to think about people in prisons. What does he ask governments to do with regard to prisoners? In the second part of paragraph 10, Pope Francis quotes from Leviticus 25:10 and Isaiah 61:1-2 as a basis for proposing programs that would reintegrate prisoners into the community. Why might this be a worthwhile goal? What might be the positive effect of developing well-planned programs to do this? Pope Francis calls on Christians to demand dignified conditions for prisoners and respect for their human rights. Why do prisoners have a right to be treated with dignity despite their crimes? What is it about our faith that demands that they be treated with dignity? Suggested Activities: Find a Catholic prison ministry (through your diocese or online) that has a pen pal program for writing letters to a prisoner, and consider becoming a pen pal. Do some research about the treatment of prisoners in your local prisons and jails. If you find that they are being subjected to degrading or inhumane treatment or unsafe living conditions, contact a public official to express your concern. Throughout the Bible, people of God are unfairly imprisoned; for example, Joseph (Genesis 39); Jeremiah (Jer. 37-38); Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego (Dan. 3); Daniel (Dan. 6); John the Baptist (Luke 3); Peter and other apostles (Acts 5); and Paul and Silas (Acts 16). Toward the end of the second part of paragraph 10, Pope Francis reminds us of the Church’s opposition to the death penalty, which is discussed in paragraph 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church . You can read a statement of the Church’s position on capital punishment at “ New Revision of Number 2267 ” ( The Vatican , 1 Aug. 2018). Why does Pope Francis say that the death penalty “eliminates all hope of forgiveness and rehabilitation” (par. 10)? Why does the Roman Catholic Church oppose capital punishment? How is it "at odds with Christian faith" (par. 10)? Read John 8:1-11 In the story usually called “The Woman Caught in Adultery,” scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus and seek his approval to execute a woman. They want Him to join them in condemning her to death. He refuses. How is His response – “Neither do I condemn you” – a rejection of the death penalty? Why would God want us to preserve the life even of criminals? What can we do to help our society respect every human life, including the lives of prisoners? How can the way we treat prisoners become a sign of hope in our society? Suggested Activity: Explore the work of Catholic Mobilizing Network , an organization that uses education, advocacy, and prayer in its efforts to end the death penalty, promote responses that provide justice and support human dignity for both those who have been harmed and those who have caused harm, and foster approaches such as restorative justice that promote healing. Closing questions: In these paragraphs, Pope Francis explores problems where we might be tempted to think, “That’s just the way the world is.” He invites us instead to envision a different world that is guided by respect for the value and dignity of every human being. What are the commonalities in these problems: war, the hesitation to have children, and the harshness of prisons? How are the similar at a root level? What are the commonalities in the alternatives: peacemaking, welcoming children, and granting freedom to prisoners? How are they similar at a root level? What are the values or mindsets we are called to have, that would help us take the approach of hope as we confront these issues? Bibliography See Jubilee Year 2025 - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/jubilee-2025/bibliography . Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Jubilee 2025 Contents Next

The various denominations within Christianity don’t agree on whether Mary had other children besides Jesus, but they do agree with his statement that those who do his will are his brothers and sisters. How can we respond? [Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6; Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21] Previous Mary List Next Session 5: Jesus’s family The various denominations within Christianity don’t agree on whether Mary had other children besides Jesus, but they do agree with his statement that those who do his will are his brothers and sisters. How can we respond? [Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6; Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21] Everyone can be a brother or sister of Jesus, if they are willing to do the will of God. Image provided by Wix. Tom Faletti July 16, 2025 In the next two sets of passages that we are going to explore, the Gospels refer to Jesus’s “brothers.” The question of how to interpret the word “brothers” divides the body of Christ, with Protestants on one side and Catholics and Orthodox on the other. At its root, the question is whether Mary had other children after she gave birth to Jesus or remained a virgin all her life. Protestants say she gave birth to many children and Catholics and Orthodox say she was “ever-virgin.” There is also a question as to whether Jesus had stepbrothers who were children of Joseph from a prior marriage. This study is designed to be useful to people from all Christian denominations, so we will not insist that everyone reach the same conclusion. What this study will do, however, is call attention to the many pieces of evidence that scholars consider as they study the question, because the evidence is not as simple as some would like to think it is. Matthew 13:54-58 / Mark 6:1-6 Isn’t Jesus the son of Mary and the brother of James et al? Matthew and Mark tell about the same incident in these passages, which is why they are paired together here. Before we explore the main point of the passage (which is not whether Mary was a perpetual virgin), let’s deal with the issue of Jesus’s “brothers.” Without trying to argue one side or the other, can you state in one sentence why the word “brothers” is controversial? Why does it matter whether Jesus had “brothers” or not? There are a variety of issues to consider in exploring the disagreement about what “brothers” means in this passage. Here is the background: Three common interpretations of the references to Jesus’s “brothers” Protestants take the word “brothers” literally and argue that Mary had sex with her husband Joseph after Jesus was born and gave birth to children who were the blood brothers and sisters of Jesus. The Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church have always maintained that Mary was a virgin throughout her life and that “brothers” is properly interpreted as “relatives” – most likely cousins. A third view, which is acceptable to the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, is that “brothers” refers to sons of Joseph from a prior marriage, who would therefore be stepbrothers of Jesus (because Jesus was, in effect, adopted by Joseph). What is the evidence that might help us determine whether “brothers” means blood brothers, cousins, or stepbrothers, when it is used with regard to Jesus? To evaluate whether when the Bible refers to Jesus’s “brothers” it is referring to blood brothers, cousins, or stepbrothers, we must consider a variety of evidence, background information, and Scripture passages. Here are some of the factors to consider: In both the Old and New Testaments, the word “brother” is used for a variety of relationships, figurative and literal, partly because the Hebrew language did not have a word for “cousin” ( Ignatius Catholic Study Bible , Matthew 12:46 fn., pp. 29-30). In Greek, which is the language of the New Testament, the word for “brothers” is adelphoi , which is used for many kinds of relationships: (1) blood brothers (including stepbrothers), (2) people from the same nation, (3) one’s fellow men, and (4) fellow believers. It does not always mean a literal blood brother, so its meaning in any particular passage must be considered carefully, taking into account everything we know. The Gospels never refer to any person as a child of Mary except Jesus. We see references to Jesus’s brothers, but no one other than Jesus is ever called a child of Mary. This does not prove that Mary was ever-virgin any more than the references to Jesus’s “brothers” proves they were blood brothers. It is just evidence to be considered. Matthew 12:55 and Mark 6:3 tell us the names of four “brothers” of Jesus: James, Joseph (or its Greek variant Joses, in Mark’s Gospel), Judas, and Simon. Later, Matthew 27:56 tells us that one of the women looking on at Jesus’s crucifixion was “Mary, the mother of James and Joseph.” Similarly, Mark 15:40 refers to “Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses.” Joses is a variant of Joseph. If both of these references to a James and Joseph are referring to the same pair of brothers, (which is likely but can’t be proved), it would mean that James and Joseph are not blood brothers of Jesus because their mother was with Jesus’s mother Mary at the crucifixion. They could be relatives, however, if, for example, this Mary and Mary the mother of Jesus are sisters or sisters-in-law. John 19:25 says that standing at the cross of Jesus were his mother and “his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas.” This might indicate that the Mary who was with Jesus’s mother at the cross was Jesus’s mother’s sister. Some people find that doubtful because it would mean that the two sisters were both named Mary. Alternatively, since “brother” and “sister” could refer to a wider circle of family relationships and not just blood brothers, it is possible that this Mary is the wife of a brother of Joseph. If that is the case, then she is the sister-in-law of Jesus’s mother, not her immediate sister. In either case, this might indicate that the James and Joseph who are identified as Jesus’s “brothers” are these relatives, sons of the Mary who was with Jesus’s mother at the cross. While Jesus is hanging on the cross, in John 19:26-27 Jesus entrusts his mother Mary to the beloved disciple (who is traditionally believed to be John). If Mary had other children, it would have been the norm for Mary to automatically come under the care of her other children. Jesus would not have needed to entrust her to a non-relative, and to do so would have been considered a serious breach of tradition. One explanation sometimes offered for why Jesus might have entrusted his mother to someone outside the family is that Jesus’s “brothers” did not believe in him. John 7:5 tells us that this was true for at least a period of time earlier in Jesus’s ministry. However, if the word “brother” is to be taken literally every time it shows up with reference to Jesus, then Jesus did have a “brother” who soon after that was a recognized leader of the church. Either he was already a believer when Jesus was executed, or he became a believer soon after. This “brother” is mentioned by Paul in Galatians 1:19, where Paul says that when he first went to Jerusalem after he started preaching the gospel of Christ (probably around AD 37, which is only a few years after Jesus’s death), he met with Peter but did not see “any other” apostles except “James, the brother of the Lord.” His use of the word “other” indicates that this James was considered an apostle. Two Jameses are named as apostles in the Gospels: the James who, along with John, was a son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21), and the James who was the son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10:3). Matthew tells us the names of their fathers. Since neither of their fathers is Joseph, they cannot be sons of Mary. Therefore, if “brother” always means blood brother when applied to Jesus, then Paul is not referring to either of them. Acts 12:17 and Acts 15:13-21 tell us of a James who is a leader of the church in Jerusalem. According to tradition, the first bishop/leader of the church in Jerusalem was “James the brother of the Lord,” so that is probably who Paul is referring to. That means there was a James who believed in Jesus and was a “brother of the Lord,” and he was so prominent that he was a recognized leader of the church just a few years later. Jesus could have entrusted his mother to that “brother,” if indeed it was a blood brother; there would have been no need to turn Mary over to a non-family member. Therefore, the claim that Jesus turned his mother over to John because his family didn’t believe in him does not easily fit the facts. A better case can be made that this James the brother of the Lord is the son of the other Mary who was with Jesus’s mother at the cross, and therefore that in at least this instance, “brother” may mean cousin or relative. Some early church fathers taught that Joseph was an older man when he married Mary and that he had children by a previous marriage. That claim first appears in the Protoevangelium of James , a document written around AD 150. That document was not accepted as part of Scripture and was specifically rejected by some early Church leaders because some of its content was considered fiction or legend, but it offers some insight regarding ideas that were circulating in the early days of the Church. That document explains that Mary was dedicated to God as a virgin when she was born, that she was raised in the Temple from the age of 3 until she was 12, and that Joseph was then selected by lot, with a full understanding that she was a dedicated virgin, to take care of her by taking her as his wife. The references to the brothers and sisters of the Lord would then be references to the children of Joseph from an earlier marriage. They would therefore a stepbrothers and stepsisters of Jesus by adoption – not sons and daughters of Mary but still “brothers and sisters” of the Lord. A variety of church fathers before AD 400 taught that Mary was a perpetual virgin, but many of the early church fathers did not discuss the question, perhaps because it did not become an issue until a group of people in the 4th century began to teach explicitly that Mary was not a perpetual virgin. The details of who taught what over the years are beyond the scope of this study, but citations and quotes from various church fathers on the subject can be found in many places, including in “ Which church father first taught the perpetual virginity of Mary? ” A thousand years later, Martin Luther rejected the Catholic practices of venerating Mary and praying to her, but he taught the perpetual virginity of Mary. To summarize, there is a lot of evidence indicating that this is not a simple question. “Brothers” can mean many things in the Bible. Catholic and Orthodox readers find a lot of support for the position that Mary was a lifelong virgin and the word “brothers” refers to relatives of Jesus, but Protestant readers of the Scriptures prefer the plain-language interpretation of the literal words of the Bible. No Bible Study is going to resolve the ongoing disagreement among Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants about whether Mary remained a virgin throughout her life (or about the other issues about Mary that divide us). For the purpose of how you live your life, to what extent does this disagreement matter? _____ Matthew 13:54-58 / Mark 6:1-6 continued Now let’s return to these passages and look at what actually happens in this incident. Jesus has been traveling around Galilee preaching, and he returns to his hometown of Nazareth. What happens? Why do they not believe in him? How do you think Mary feels about the resistance of her fellow townspeople to believing in Jesus? What does Jesus’s statement about “a prophet” in Matthew 13:57 and Mark 6:4 mean? What do you think Mary’s view of Jesus is at this point? Who do you think she believes him to be? Are there ways that we are like the people of Nazareth? Do we ever find ourselves unwilling to accept the value of people who are doing the work of God, because they are too familiar to us? If so, what do we need to do to avoid missing what God is doing? It may require humility, letting go of our ego that wants to ask why he’s so great if I’m not, seeing with new eyes, and having some faith that God is at work in people and that they can grow to be more than what we may have seen in them. Are there ways that we are like the people of Nazareth in not embracing the teachings of Jesus because he or his teachings have become too familiar to us? If so, what do we need to do to continue to embrace his teachings and have them remain fresh and potent for us? Matthew 12:46-50 / Mark 3:31-35 / Luke 8:19-21 Jesus’s mother and brothers come to him Jesus has been traveling all over the region of Galilee. His mother and brothers have not been traveling with him. From Mary’s perspective, what happens at the beginning of this story? Why do you think she and the brothers have come and are standing outside the place where Jesus is preaching? What do you think Mary wants? When Jesus receives word that his family is outside, how does he react? Jesus says that whoever “hears the word of God” (Luke 8:21) and “does the will of God” (Mark 3:35) or “does the will of my heavenly Father” (Matthew 12:50) is his brother and sister and mother. What do you think he means by that? How can determine whether we are hearing the word of God and doing the will of God? How do we know if our actions are consistent with that description of the brothers and sisters of Jesus? How might God be calling you to respond right now to the call to hear the word of God and do God’s will? Even before Jesus was conceived, Mary was someone who heard the word of God and did God’s will. So is Jesus drawing a distinction that separates her from those who follow him? Or is he expanding the concept of his family, as he expanded on many Old Testament teachings when he said, “You have heard . . . , but I say . . .” (for example, in Matthew 5:21-48), to include others along with his mother? Explain. How do you think Mary interprets what Jesus says here? Note that Jesus presumably loves his mother dearly, but he wants to make a bigger spiritual point. We will see Jesus push us to see a bigger picture again soon. Take a step back and consider this: Jesus’s relationship with his mother was different when he was an adult than when he was a child. In what ways did Mary have to accept a change in her relationship with Jesus, and how do you think she dealt with it? We also have a changed relationship with parents and other family members as we grow older. Are there times when we are called to step outside the comfort zone of our previous relationship with a parent or other family member, as Jesus did? If so, how do we continue to honor our parents or other family members even as we live our lives in ways that might be different from their expectations? Sometimes it is the other person (perhaps a grown-up child) rather than us who is responding to an inner call that changes their relationship with us. What can we learn from this story that might help us deal with those changes? Bibliography See Mary - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/mary/bibliography . Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Mary List Next

We find hope because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through Jesus. (Paragraphs 1-4 of Spes Non Confundit) Previous Next Jubilee Year 2025: Embrace God’s Hope and Extend It to All Session 1: Why we can have hope We find hope because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through Jesus. (Read paragraphs 1-4) Link to S pes Non Confundit Photo by Tom Faletti, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, March 29, 2024. Tom Faletti November 16, 2024 The title of Pope Francis’s document means “Hope Does Not Disappoint.” It’s easy to have hope when things are going well. But what about in the hard times? In this session, Pope Francis explores what hope is, where it comes from, and why we can have it. The Christian life flourishes when it is grounded in hope. Pope Francis draws on the words of the Apostle Paul to remind us why hope is possible even in the hard times, how even suffering can lead us to hope. Our study guide questions will help us explore how God’s love supports our hope and how Jesus Christ stands at the epicenter of God’s active love for the world. Jesus Christ is the foremost reason why we can have hope and bring hope to our world. Read paragraphs 1-4 in preparation for this session. You can use the links next to each heading to jump to that part of Pope Francis’s document. Paragraph 1 (the Jubilee is an opportunity for hope) 🔗 What does “hope” mean to you? How would you describe it? In the second part [1] of paragraph 1 , Pope Francis says that “God’s word helps us find reasons” for hope. Is there a particular passage from the Bible that has especially inspired or helped you find hope? If so, how does that passage speak to you? Suggested Activity: Take a few minutes to contemplate what life feels like to someone who is unemployed, dealing with a chronic illness, facing the fear of violence due to their background or heritage, discouraged about the future, etc. Try to feel their pain. Then consider whether there is something you could do for someone such as this – perhaps directly for someone you know, or by getting involved in a ministry in your parish or community (perhaps through Catholic Charities in your diocese or through another organization). (Section 1) A word of hope In this section, Pope Francis explores the biblical basis for the hope we have in God. Paragraph 2 (why we can have hope) 🔗 Read Romans 5:1-2,5 (we will look at verses 3 and 4 in Paragraph 4 later in this session) What does Paul tell us in Romans 5:1-2 that allows him to say that we have hope? In verse 5, Paul says that hope does not disappoint us. Why? How would you explain verse 5 in your own words? How have you experienced the love of God poured into your heart? How does knowing that God loves you so much allow you to show greater love to others? Paragraph 3 (hope is born of love) 🔗 In paragraph 3, why does Pope Francis say, “Hope is born of love”? How does Romans 5:5 help to explain this statement? Note: In paragraph 3, the Scripture cited as coming from Romans 5:19 is actually Romans 5:10. Read Romans 5:10 What is Jesus’s role in our being reconciled to God? How might being reconciled to God affect how we relate to God and to others? How does Romans 5:10 support Pope Francis’s statement that hope is born of love? How have you experienced God’s love giving you hope? In the second part of paragraph 3, Pope Francis describes the action of the Holy Spirit in giving us hope. What does he say the Holy Spirit does? How does Romans 5:5 support this understanding of the Holy Spirit? How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life? Read Romans 8:35 and 8:37-39 How does the fact that nothing can separate us from the love of God help us understand why we can live a life of hope? Paragraph 4 (hope requires patience) 🔗 Knowing that we all face times of suffering, Pope Francis calls our attention to Romans 5:3-4. Read Romans 5:3-4 Paul tells us that even suffering can lead to hope. He describes it as a multi-step process. What are the steps he sees that lead from suffering to hope? Think about the sequence of steps Paul suggests: suffering -> endurance -> character -> hope. Everyone is unique and not everyone experiences things in exactly the same way, but Paul’s analysis can be useful. How might suffering infuse God’s character into us? How might the experience of suffering lead to hope? In the rest of paragraph 4 (including part 2 of paragraph 4) Pope Francis explains that patience is closely linked to hope. Why is patience so important in the cultivation of hope? Pope Francis cites St. Francis of Assisi in reminding us of the value of contemplation. How might making time for contemplation help us deal with our impatience and better manage the cultural demand to treat everything as “urgent” and in need of immediate response? How might you make contemplation a more central part of your life? Suggested Activities: Spend a few minutes in quiet contemplation each day. You might find it helpful to find a good guide to contemplation from a respected Catholic or Christian author. Read and contemplate a portion of the New Testament each day. One way to approach the meditation of Scripture is through the practice of lectio divina . Pope Francis says patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is stated in Galatians 5:22-23. Read Galatians 5:22-23 Paul is telling us that God the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us the patience we need to endure the sufferings we face. How does it make you feel when you hear that God wants to give you what you need to go from suffering to hope? How have you experienced suffering leading to hope in your life? In the second part of paragraph 4, Pope Francis quotes from a translation of Romans 15:5 that describes God as “the God of all patience and encouragement.” Where do you see God’s patience in your life or in the lives of others? How does that give you hope? Closing question: Based on what we have considered in this session, if someone said to you, "How can you have hope with all that is going on in the world," how would you respond? [1] See A Note About Our Terminology for an explanation of what we mean by a “part” of a paragraph. Bibliography See Jubilee Year 2025 - Bibliography at https://www.faithexplored.com/jubilee-2025/bibliography . Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Jubilee 2025 Contents Next

That's one of our goals. Previous Next Table of Contents To Have the Mind of Christ That's one of our goals. Tom Faletti March 6, 2024 Some people think of religion as being like the relationship between a master and a slave: God orders and I obey. This attracts some people and repels others. They are both missing something central to our faith. People from both perspectives are missing something because they think that the Christian faith asks us to turn off our minds and just “believe.” That’s not the faith of the gospel. St. Paul says, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5-11, NRSV). How can I think of my mind as something to turn off, if I am urged to have the same mind as Christ. I have to think carefully in order to think like Christ. Paul also says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, NRSV). What does God want to transform? Our minds. Why? So that we can discern well. If our minds are not valued by God, if He just wants us to turn off our minds and “have faith,” why would Paul say this? Ephesians says that we are to use our gifts to build up the body of Christ “until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ” (Eph. 4:13, NRSV). Our goal is to reach the full stature of Christ. Did Jesus turn off his brain? No! He used it very carefully and wisely, throughout His ministry. Jesus said to his disciples, “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father” (John 15:15, NRSV). How could we possibly make use of all the wisdom and knowledge that Jesus has received from the Father if we do not spend time thinking, but instead assume that we can “believe” and be done? So the point is that we are called to think. We are called to use these magnificent brains that we have received from God. We are called to put on the MIND – not just the heart or soul or will – of Jesus. So let’s get to work! TO BE CONTINUED Copyright © 2025, Tom Faletti (Faith Explored, www.faithexplored.com ). This material may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration, for nonprofit use, provided such reproductions are not sold and include this copyright notice or a similar acknowledgement that includes a reference to Faith Explored and www.faithexplored.com. See www.faithexplored.com for more materials like this. Previous Table of Contents Next