Why did I choose this book?

Our first recollection of the year as Salesian Cooperators of DBFC focused on Jubilee 2025. The facilitator, Fr. Andy Mendoza, SDB, provided an overview of its origins, significance, and relevance.  Fr. Andy challenged us with this reflection: “How can you embody the spirit of the Jubilee Year in your daily life?”

Since the Jubilee Year is declared only every 25 years, I felt compelled to fully embrace this rare opportunity for renewal and grace, especially as I navigate a season of personal transition. To do so, I needed to understand Jubilee more deeply: What are we truly celebrating? Where in the Bible is Jubilee mentioned? Why was Jubilee institutionalized? How can I embody the spirit of Jubilee?

In my search for answers, the Holy Spirit led me to this book, Jesus and the Jubilee by Dr. John Bergsma. Interestingly, I first encountered Dr. Bergsma’s work about nine years ago. I read his Bible Basics for Catholics while searching for a true religion. Now, his insights are once again guiding me on this spiritual journey.

What are the key lessons I learned from this book?

• Jubilee is about forgiveness, freedom, family, and fullness. The gifts of freedom, family and fullness were first experienced in the Garden of Eden, where humanity lived in perfect harmony with God, each other, and creation. There was no need for forgiveness then because sin had not yet disrupted these relationships.
• The Mosaic Law established Jubilee as a time of restoration (Leviticus 25). Every 50 years, debts were erased, lost family property was returned, and people were set free. It was meant to be a societal reset, reflecting God’s justice and mercy.
• Jubilee carries deep economic and social implications. More than a religious observance, it was a system designed to prevent oppression and restore balance in society. Forgiveness and debt release were not just spiritual concepts but tangible actions woven into God’s law.
• Israel’s failure to observe Jubilee pointed to the need for a greater fulfillment. The prophets, especially Isaiah, spoke of a future Messiah who would bring the true and everlasting Jubilee. Jesus declared in Luke 4 that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah 61, proclaiming liberty to captives and the year of God’s favor.
• Jesus’ mission calls for restoration and justice. His teachings challenge the world’s systems, emphasizing mercy, equity, and a radical transformation of society. He entrusted this mission to His apostles, and it continues today through the Church.
• Jubilee is not just a historical event but a call to action. As Christians, we are invited to live out its spirit in our daily lives by practicing forgiveness, advocating for justice, and working toward renewal in our communities.

How does this book relate to my faith journey?

Reading this book stirred in me a deep longing to fully bask in God’s love by embracing the gifts of Jubilee—forgiveness, freedom, family, and fullness. I desire true freedom from anything that enslaves me—sin, fears, and unhealthy attachments for which I seek God’s forgiveness—so I can live in the freedom God offers. I want to nurture and strengthen my bond with my family, deepen my relationship with God, and practice forgiveness—both in receiving His mercy and extending it to others. And I want to trust fully in His provision, letting go of unnecessary anxieties and embracing the fullness of His blessings.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I know I am not just called to believe in Him but to live out His ministry—a mission of liberation, healing, and restoration. Jesus came to proclaim freedom to captives, bring good news to the poor, and restore what was lost. That mission didn’t end with Him—it continues through His followers. This book made me reflect: Am I being a true agent of mercy and renewal in my community?

This book has given me a renewed sense of purpose. Jubilee isn’t just something to celebrate—it’s something to live.

What surprised me the most?

In computer terms, Jubilee is like hitting the “Restore to Factory Settings” button. It is God’s way of resetting the world to how He originally designed it.

I found it so refreshing to realize that Jubilee is meant to restore the ideal society God intended—the Garden of Eden. A world where there are no slaves, families stay together, and every household has its own land—a home to call their own, a place to thrive, and a way to preserve their identity.

It struck me that God’s vision for society is one where everyone shares in His gifts equally. Yes, people could fall into debt, lose their land, or even be forced to serve others for a time. But Jubilee was established to break these cycles (or in tech terms, it’s a full system reboot). Every 50 years, debts were erased, land was restored, and those in bondage were set free to return home. It wasn’t just about economic reset; it was about restoring dignity, justice, and wholeness.

God desires a society built on forgiveness, freedom, family, and fullness for us. Jubilee is a divine blueprint for a just and merciful society that we, Christians, are called to live out today.  

What is my final verdict?

Jesus and the Jubilee by Dr. John Bergsma is a thought-provoking and spiritually enriching book. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the deeper meaning of the Jubilee and fully embrace its significance, especially in this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope.