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A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be to you;
in it you shall neither sow, not reap what grows of itself,
nor gather the grapes from the undressed vines.
For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy to you;
you shall eat what it yields out of the field
— Leviticus 25:11–12
Welcome!
We have chosen this year's theme as a way to enter into Advent, the Jubilee Year (with its theme 'Pilgrims of Hope'), and also to focus on the Gospel of Luke which will be read in the liturgical year ahead. We desperately need hope, and it is there aplenty in sacred Scripture if we only have ears to hear. Over the six inputs of the course, Jessie will unpack the concepts of Jubilee and Sabbath from the Torah and the Prophets , Kieran will follow the theme through Luke's Gospel, and Sean will engage with the Magnificat and Benedictus as hopeful Advent prayers.
Jubilee in the Torah and Prophets
"And You Shall Hallow the Fifteenth Year"
Part One – Jubilee
In this first presentation, Jessie unpacks the meaning of "Jubilee" and its roots in the Old Testament, focusing in particular on the text of Leviticus 25. As the 2024 Jubilee year "Pilgrims of Hope" approaches, Jessie also looks to how we understand Jubilee in the Church today.
"The Sabbath was Made for Humankind & Not Humankind for the Sabbath"
Part Two – Sabbath
In this second presentation, Jessie looks at the Sabbath, its biblical roots in the commandments of Exodus and Deuteronomy, and how this day of rest, when taken seriously, enables human flourishing.
The Magnificat and Benedictus as Advent Prayers
"Blessed Be the Lord God of Israel,
For He Has Visited and Redeemed His People"
Part One – The Benedictus (Luke 1:68–79)
In this first presentation, Seán looks at Zechariah's song of praise following the birth of John the Baptist. This hymn, with its joyful hope, is a fitting Advent prayer as it anticipates the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
"He Has Helped His Servant Israel,
in Remembrance of His Mercy"
Part Two – The Magnificat (Luke 1:46–56)
In this second presentation, Seán explores the first hymn of Luke's Gospel, Mary's song of praise upon meeting Elizabeth. Mary's words can be seen to anticipate the ministry of Jesus, who will show mercy on the poor and lowly; those who are on the margins of society.
Jubilee in the Gospel of Luke
"We Have Seen Incredible Things Today"
Part One – The Year of the Lord's Favour
In this first presentation, Kieran explores some of the context surrounding Jesus and his ministry in Nazareth in the Gospel of Luke such as the locations, the Jubilee year, and Gentiles. Building upon this, Kieran turns towards a close reading of Jesus in the Nazareth synagogue (Luke 4:16–30).
"Didn’t Our Hearts Burn Within Us
While He Was Speaking with Us on the Road"
Part Two – Pilgrims of Hope
In this second presentation, Kieran follows a similar pattern to his first presentation by looking at the context surrounding the story of Philip and the Ethiopian in Gaza (Acts 8:26–40), and Jesus on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35). To conclude, Kieran closely explores the latter passage.
Webinar Recordings
Webinar One – Meditation Session
(7:30pm, 10th December)
Webinar One – Meditation – Advent 24.mp4Webinar Two – Q&A Session
(7:30pm, 19th December)
Webinar Two – Q&A – Advent 24.mp4Page updated
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