The homily of the Opening Mass of the Holy Year

---Bishop Sakai sent us the homily for the Opening Mass of the Holy Year.---

December 29, 2024 Holy Family/Holy Year Opening Mass (Sakura-machi Church)

The Holy Year has begun, and the theme for the 2025 Ordinary Holy Year is "Pilgrims of Hope."

How can we have hope? Hope, Faith, and Charity are called the three theological virtues. Of these three, hope can be said to be stronger with the other two.

When we have strong faith in God, we can have hope. When we declare, "I believe in God who loves me enough to send me His Son even in the midst of difficulties..." we have hope. When we confirm that God loves me and I love God (as this Mass), hope becomes stronger.

Second Reading: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.  (1 John 3:1).

And when someone, not just God, believes in me and loves me (babies like Jesus do), it gives me the strength to care for that person and to have hope.

Today's first reading and gospel was the story of two women, Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, and Mary, the mother of our Savior Jesus, who gave her child to God. They surrendered to God their own children, whom God gave to them because they loved and believed in them. By doing so, they were able to have a stronger hope for their own child.

When we walk in hope, that hope is communicated. In what way is it transmitted? Pope Francis tells us it is through humor. Pope Francis tells us it is through humor.

The autobiography of the Pope will be released worldwide (except Japan) on January 14 next year. It is in the form of a co-authored book with Italian journalist Carlo Musso, who has been editing the book for six years. The title is “Hope”. I have not read it yet and do not know its contents, but the New York Times recently published an excerpt from the book under the title “There is Faith in humor”. In it, the Pope tells a humorous story. It is a bit long, but I will quote it.

Pope John XXIII was a humorous pope, but in one of his sermons he said, “Often in the middle of the night I begin to think about serious problems. So in the morning I make the courageous decision to go to the Pope for advice. But then I wake up drenched in sweat and remember that I am the Pope”.

He also recounts an episode of Pope John Paul II. “When he was still Cardinal Wojtyła, another cardinal, older and quite strict, scolded him at a preliminary meeting of the conclave (papal election). “I hear that you enjoy skiing, mountain climbing, cycling, and swimming, but I don't think those things are appropriate for a cardinal,” he said. The future pope replied: “But did you know that in Poland at least 50 percent of the cardinals engage in such activities?” At that time there were only two cardinals in Poland”.

Finally, the story of the Pope's own humor in writing such a book was recently told to me by Cardinal Kikuchi of Tokyo, who was in Rome on October 6 for the Synod of Synods when he was suddenly informed of his appointment as a cardinal. The meeting continued after the announcement, but when the Pope arrived, his chin was swollen blue. He had actually fallen in the bathroom or somewhere and bruised it, but when everyone asked him about it, he replied, “Do you know why it is swollen? It was bruised by a bishop who had not been appointed cardinal”.

What can we learn from the humor of the three Popes? Even if I have a worry that keeps me up at night, even if I am scolded by a senior cardinal, even if I fall and get injured, I can accept it with humor instead of worrying and fretting about it because I have faith, charity, and hope in God. No matter what happens to me, God trusts and loves me, and I am a person whose hope in Him is unshakable.

During the Holy Year, pilgrimages are encouraged. By visiting a designated pilgrimage church and praying for the Pope, you can receive the plenary indulgence if you meet the other requirements. Everyone is encouraged to go on a pilgrimage. Sakura-machi Church here is a designated pilgrimage church, and in Shikoku, Tokushima and Anan Churches in Tokushima Prefecture, Matsuyama Church in Ehime Prefecture, and Nakasima-cho Church in Kochi Prefecture are designated pilgrimage churches. You may also cross the Seto-ohashi Bridge to Okayama Church.

Also, those who are unable to go to church due to old age, illness, work, etc. can receive the same grace by praying at home with the thought of going on a pilgrimage. We encourage everyone to visit such people and pray with them.

During the Holy Year, through pilgrimages and prayers, may our faith and love grow stronger and more hopeful. May we share with others the humor and joy that comes from a strengthened hope. Pope Francis encourages us to have hope that the Blessed Virgin Mary, the "Star of the Sea," will help us in the stormy seas of life. Mary, please protect each of us.