We have come to the conclusion of the Jubilee Year. As Pilgrims of Hope, where do we go from here? Pope Leo is asking us to be inspired by the 700th anniversary of St Francis Assisi in 2026. St Francis and St Dominic were revolutionary for their time because they effectively took the monastery to the people. They sought to combat the heresies of Manicheism and the Waldensians Likewise, we are called to go forth and, as missionary disciples, engage with the culture and society of our time. In the gospel Jesus says to Peter and Andrew: " 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people'. " (Mtt 4: 19) He does the same with James and John the sons of Zebedee. We are told: "Immediately they left their boat and their father, and followed him" (Mtt 4: 22) There is an urgency about their response. In the midst of their everyday work they have a call to a higher purpose which is to follow the Lord. We may not be called to leave our work and families behind but we are called to bring the joy of the Gospel to those who are awaiting it. The Holy Spirit has gone ahead of us. We can, with confidence, embrace the challenge of bringing the Good News to a world in profound need of it. Let us follow the Lord knowing that he empowers us through his grace and leads by example: "Jesus went throughout Galilee. teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people." (Mtt 4: 23)
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