Scripture scholars tell us that the Israelites rarely observed the Jubilee Year. The Israelites were commanded to let the land and their work rest for a year every fifty years (see Lv 25:8-15). God promised to multiply the fruits of the land so that the people could be blessed during the Jubilee Year (see Lv 25:6). The generosity of the Year of Jubilee challenged the rich and powerful, who stood to lose both lands and money (see Lv 25:13ff).
It is a challenge for us human beings to be still and know that the Lord is God (see Ps 46:11). We struggle to move off the throne of our life and let God be our "only Ruler" (1 Tm 6:15).
Do we ever rest and let the Lord work? It's not automatic or easy; we must "strive to enter into [God's] rest" (Heb 4:11). Jesus' very mission on earth was to call humanity to an eternal year of Jubilee, a time of favor from the Lord (see Lk 4:19). A key element of the Jubilee Year is to rest and let the Lord God do His work, staying out of His way and allowing His order to take over. For example, Sunday is the Lord's Day, a day of rest (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2184-2188).
Can you rest and let the Lord bless you? God wants to overwhelm you with blessings (Dt 28:2). Allow Him to do His work of blessing. Rest in Him and let him work. Rest in Him so He can work through you.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, You invite me to come to You and rest (Mt 11:28-29). Make me lie down and rest so You can work (Ps 23:2). |
| PROMISE: | "The earth has yielded its fruits; God, our God, has blessed us." –Ps 67:7 |
| PRAISE: | Ralph converted to the Catholic faith because he was repeatedly touched by the prophetic messages of the Blessed Virgin Mary. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College