Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, released the following pastoral reflection on Saturday, December 28. The statement fleshes out the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope declared by Pope Francis.

According to a research firm that regularly conducts a year-end survey on hope and optimism, Filipinos’ hope for what lies ahead every new year has not dipped below 90% since 2010, and has been above 80% since their polls started in 2000. Even during the pandemic, we have scored high (93%) in the hope scale. Before the year 2024 started, 96% of adult Filipinos expressed their hope for a better quality of life for the coming year.

Thus, it is safe to assume that our natural disposition as a people is one of hope rather than fear, optimism and resilience rather than disappointment and cynicism.

There are many contributing factors to this positive attitude. But experts agree that it is primarily because of our deep religiosity and faith in God. Our lofty sense of hope is connected with the conviction that “habang may buhay, may pag-asa.” In spite of our struggles and frustrations, we secure ourselves on the belief that “may awa ang Diyos” or “Diyos na ang bahala.” For some, this sounds fatalistic and defeatist. But for many, it is a declaration of trust and confidence in God who is “makapangyarihan sa lahat.” There seems to be an enduring hope in us that no calamity or catastrophe can extinguish or crush.

On the other hand, we are also aware that it is not the case for everyone. Hope may be elusive and scarce. Many of our people are living in unspeakable poverty, dehumanizing conditions, and unimaginable suffering. The endless squabbling for power in our politics leaves us wondering where we are going as a nation. The rising cases of mental health problems point us to the reality that not everything is well in our world. After an unprecedented series of devastating typhoons that hit the country this year, most of the victims are still struggling to rebuild their lives and their homes. The intense and unpredictable weather patterns are causing so much destruction in our communities. The earth, too, is groaning in pain and crying out for help.

It is easy to give in to the temptation of despair and resignation. But the Ordinary Jubilee Year of 2025, with the theme “pilgrims of hope,” challenges us to be obstinate in our faith.

Pope Francis chose the theme of hope for this Jubilee Year to restore a climate of hope and trust, to fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and to help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and a farsighted vision.

Hope does not disappoint because it is anchored on the love of God that has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 5:3-5). We have hope because we are loved. He has loved us first (1 John 4:10). His boundless love is the source of our infinite hope. “Habang may pag-ibig ng Diyos, may pag-asa.” Nothing can separate us from the love of God, neither death, nor present, nor future things (cf. Rom 8:39). This keeps our hope alive. This is our oil that will last until the Bridegroom arrives (cf. Matthew 25:1-13).

According to Pope Benedict XVI, “The one who has hope lives differently; the one who has hope has been granted the gift of a new life” (Spe Salvi, 2). This is the invitation for every disciple of Christ today: to be a witness to hope, to be an instrument of hope. The one who has hope lives and appreciates things differently. The one who has hope does not look at the glass as half-full or half-empty. The one who has hope drinks from the spring of living water that can quench the thirst of humanity.

We are pilgrims of hope. We are summoned to move forward together, in synodality. With the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality as our guide to become a synodal Church in mission, we embark on crossing to the other side together (Mark 4:35).

The logo of the Jubilee Year also shows the people of God on the boat, navigating a rough sea, with the cross as their anchor. We are on the same boat called to conversion of relationships. We grow in friendship and fellowship. We appreciate each other’s uniqueness. We cast the net wide. We find new pathways for the conversion of processes in our collective discernment and decision-making. We adjust our structures so we can be more transparent and accountable, more participatory and empowering. We learn to trust each other and listen to each other.

When we cast the net wide, we must be ready for an abundant catch. We must cultivate new forms of the exchange of gifts and the conversion of bonds that unite us. We cannot stay in the maintenance mode of “tayo-tayo” or “sila-sila.” We must tap into the richness of our networks and gifts. It is time for us to celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the Church and to the world. The Holy Year of 2025 is a commemoration of God’s favor and graciousness to His people. The Jubilee Indulgence we receive when we visit the pilgrim churches and perform the prescribed prayers and practices is a manifestation of God’s superabundant mercy for us. Let us not waste the grace of the Jubilee. Let us not lose the impetus to spiritual renewal and structural reform initiated by the Synod on Synodality.

As pilgrims of hope, we are sent to form a people for missionary discipleship. The Final Document of the Synod exhorts us, “Formation in synodality and the Church’s synodal style will make people aware that the gifts received in Baptism should be put to use for the good of all: they cannot be hidden or remain unused (FD, 141).” The Ordinary Jubilee Year of 2025 is the best opportunity for us to start our formation in synodality in our basic ecclesial communities, parishes, and dioceses. We journey together in hope. We walk together in love. As Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit in the synagogue to announce His Jubilee of glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed, and a year acceptable to the Lord (Lk 4: 18-19), may the same Holy Spirit, the protagonist of synodality, move us to a style of living as a synodal Church in mission.

May we become a people in pilgrimage to the fullness of God’s Kingdom. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, accompany us and bring us closer to Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. – Rappler.com

Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, bishop of the Diocese of Kalookan, is president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.