In four day at 9:30 am Eastern Time Pope Francis will open the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica and mark the official beginning of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy that will run from December 8, 2015 until November 20, 2016 the Solemnity of Jesus Christ King of the Universe.
The concept of the Jubilee goes back to the Book of Leviticus 25. Seven being the perfect number, every seventh year was a sabbatical year, but the 7th seventh year, that is every 49 years there was to be a yovel or Jubilee Year, the 50th year. It was a time of forgiveness, liberty, and restitution. Anyone indentured was freed. Land held as collateral was returned. Debts were forgiven.
In these last few days of preparation, perhaps now is the time for each of us to taken an internal inventory. Are there sins for which I need forgiveness? Are there people I need to forgive? Are there things I am holding onto that I need to let go of? Are there relationships that need to be restored?
Let us take these days to prepare ourselves to open wide the doors of our hearts, to receive and give the gift of mercy.
