In this episode, we begin our Lenten book study “Jesus and the Jubilee” and welcome the author, Dr. John Bergsma, to the podcast! Dr. Bergsma shares his powerful conversion story during the Great Jubilee Year in 2000 and why he felt called to write a book about this Jubilee Year of Hope. We also reflect on this Jubilee year as a time of abundant grace, why Reconciliation is the Sacrament of Jubilee, and how we can engage the virtue of hope this Lenten season.

Heather’s One Thing - Fathering Sons by Dominic Polito

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Floriani (Chants of Deliverance CD) (Spotify)

Michelle’s One Thing - Jesus and the Jubilee

Dr. Bergsma’s One Thing - Dr. Scott Hahn’s meditations on “The Seven Last Words of Christ”. (Sign up to be sent a weekly video reflection during Lent)

Announcement:

It’s not too late to order your copy of “Jesus and the Jubilee” at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. There are also bulk discounts available.

Journal Questions:

How does the Lord want to invite me more deeply into the Jubilee Year?
What am I seeking freedom from this Lent?
How can I approach Lent with a spirit of hope?
What do I need to repent of this Lent?

Discussion Questions:

What is your current understanding of the Jubilee?
How have you experienced interior miracles from the Lord?
What stuck out to you from Dr. Bergsma’s statement: “The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a perpetual Jubilee”?
What is a miracle you want to pray for this Lent?

Quote to Ponder:

“I’m convinced in my heart that the proper response to the announcement of Jubilee 2025 should be joy, hope, and excitement. Lived well, this Jubilee Year can be a moment of miracle and grace for all of us, a kind of yearlong spiritual Christmas season in which we daily awake to open the gifts of grace that God our Father so lovingly gives us.” (Dr. John Bergsma)

Scripture for Lectio:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” (Isaiah 61:1-4)

Sponsor - CORDA:

CORDA translates the stories of the saints into scents, and handcrafts those scents into gorgeous Catholic candles. Each candle scent is directly inspired by different saints and aspects of the faith, and is made with clean coconut wax and a beautiful, modern design.

Be sure to sign up for the CORDA Fan Club, too: it’s free and an awesome way to earn points that you can redeem for free products, gift cards, and free shipping.

You can join the club and explore CORDA’s gorgeous Catholic candles (and 3,000+ reviews!) at cordacandles.com. And don’t forget to enter code ABIDE15 to save 15% on everything, now through May 31, 2025. Thank you for supporting this family owned, Catholic small business!

Timestamps:

00:00 - CORDA

01:34 - Intro

02:26 - Welcome

04:55 - Dr. Bergsma’s Conversion Story

12:58 - The Jubilee Year of Hope is a Time of Grace

16:07 - St. Pope John Paul II

17:35 - The Inspiration to Write Jesus and the Jubilee

21:29 - Why the Jubilee Year is a Personal Experience

28:16 - Reconciliation is the Sacrament of Jubilee

31:38 - Engaging the Virtue of Hope

37:38 - Hope in Prayer

40:12 - One Things

S16 E7 - Our Need for Jubilee with Dr. J...