“People of the Cross, we walk in hope!”
These words resonate deeply along the streets of Baltimore, especially on Palm Sunday. Mark Pacione, a beloved minister of the Church, would lead the vibrant young congregation in this chant as they processed the cross through the city. Our message is clear: we have hope.
As we enter Jubilee Year 2025, we are reminded of the profound reason for our hope. Our hope doesn’t stem from our personal achievements in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is not based on our conversions: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Instead, our hope is firmly rooted in Christ and His boundless love for us. This Lent, we are invited not just to renew our own hope but to share it widely. Let’s spread the message: “People of the Cross, we walk in hope!”
The Jubilee Year calls us to embark on a pilgrimage that strengthens our faith while prompting us to respond to the cries of the lost and forsaken, the downtrodden and marginalized, the poor and the sick, and the sinner weighed down by shame. Together, let’s engage in the essential ministry of offering God’s Mercy. Let’s be extravagantly generous, just as a young child joyfully shares the riches of their parents. Let us open the doors, allowing God’s love to emanate throughout the world, inviting all of us to experience anew this transformative love.