January 1, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula encouraged the Catholic faithful to give hope to those who are experiencing hopelessness in their lives.
At the opening of the Ordinary Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 in the Archdiocese of Manila held late Monday afternoon, Advincula said in his mass homily at the Manila Cathedral that at a time when less Filipinos are hopeful for 2025, there is a need to revive hope among the people.
He referenced a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations where 90 percent of Filipinos are hopeful for 2025, six percent lower than 2024.
It is during this time when people should turn to God and see Him in order to restore hope, according to Advincula.
“God is our hope. He will not fail us. He will not lie to us. He is not like the others who would only give false hopes,” he added.
He also stressed the need to spread hope in the world.
“Just like faith and love, it will not flourish if we would allow ourselves to cling to things that are not dependable, such as the material things in the world,” he explained.
“The best way for hope to grow is by sharing it with others. There are so many people in our family or community who have lost their hope – the sick, those in prison, the elderly, the migrants, the youth, the poor and those who are victims of injustice,” the Cardinal added.
He explained that it is for this reason why Pope Francis chose the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” for the Jubilee Year 2025.
“After the pandemic; after the strong typhoons that came one after the other; in the midst of the chaos and war and in the midst of the problems in politics and economy, there are many of us who have difficulty seeing that there would be a better tomorrow. We need hope. We need to strengthen ourselves and have hope that comes from Jesus,” the Manila archbishop emphasized.
He also encouraged the Catholic faithful to organize pilgrimages and visit the Jubilee churches. They can check the churches through RCAM’s website at https://rcam.org/designated-jubilee-churches-in-the-archdiocese-of-manila/.
For Fr. Roy Bellen, the New Year is an opportunity for people to make a new start.
The Archdiocese of Manila Office of Communications director, said if the previous year was a difficult time, people could always look forward and be hopeful to what the New Year will bring.
The New Year “is always a reminder that there is a new start, a reset,” according to Bellen.
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