Opening of the Jubilee Door by Fr Jason
The Great Jubilee Year 2000
Opening of the Jubilee Door by Fr Jason
As the Third Millennium of the new era dawns, our thoughts turn spontaneously to the words of the apostle Paul: “but when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of woman.” (Gal 4:4). The fullness of time coincides with the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of the Son, who is of one being with the Father, and with the mystery of the Redemption of the world in order to redeem all who were under the Law, so that they might receive adoption as sons and daughters.
Our Community entered into the suggestion by our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, in preparing for this Great Jubilee Year.
In his wisdom, John Paul II set the Church on a three year Retreat: 1997 was devoted to reflection on Jesus Christ; 1998 dedicated to the Holy Spirit and to the Spirit’s sanctifying presence within the Community of Christ’s disciples; 1999, the third year of preparation, devoted to reflection on the Father who is in Heaven.
These three years were a truly blessed experience for our Community. We arranged seminars, retreats, teachings, liturgical celebrations and reflections in keeping with the theme of each year. This enabled us as a Community to broaden our horizons as believers, so that we would “see things in the perspective of Christ; in the perspective of the Father who is in Heaven” and to have a “renewed appreciation of the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit.”
Included in our preparation was the “closing of our front door to the Chapel” on the first Sunday of Advent 1998. This door remained closed until Christmas Eve 1999.
The total experience was one of great joy and excitement as we prepared spiritually for the celebration of the Great Jubilee Year.
We ushered in the Great Jubilee Year with a glorious celebration that included fireworks as the “door’ was opened by Fr Jason and culminated in the celebration of the Midnight Mass Liturgy. That night our Chapel at the Centre was somewhat like the Inn, 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. There was no room. The words of Pope John Paul II in the document on preparation for the Jubilee for the Year 2000 (Tertio Millennio Adveniente) came alive for us.