Freedom: Parishioner Reflections on the Jubilee

...to reconsider how we define enslavement...

Ever since I was a member of a parish that celebrated its Jubilee, I have been impressed with the power of the Jubilee themes: celebration, forgiveness, Sabbath, freedom, justice. There is power in the themes because Jubilee people act on those themes and, in the action, is revolution.

So, what revolutionary application of the theme of freedom are we called to? The Old Testament says: "free the enslaved, free people from the burden of debt, free people from past sins and in doing that, proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord." (Isaiah 61: 2)

How dramatic our proclamation if we really did that! But how to start? Do we free all prisoners in prison? How do we reasonably release people from debt? I am not sure, but I do know that the Jubilee themes have captured the support of many people who do not consider themselves religious. There is a world-wide effort to reduce the debt of developing nations; an effort initiated by the church. This scriptural vision has become a revolutionary reality.

Jubilee freedom might also require us to reconsider how we define enslavement. Are individuals in developing countries being paid pennies a day enslaved? Is there something we can do to free them from their less-than-subsistence existence – change what we are willing to buy, or how much we are willing to pay? And what about prisons? Are there better ways to "rehabilitate" people who have committed certain crimes?

Many people who dedicate their lives to these "freedom" themes work for years to help free others from their particular bondage. Thank God for such dedicated Jubilee servants. But, each of us, as part of the Year of Jubilee, can turn some of our time and imagination toward achieving the Jubilee mission. What a revolution it would be if we did!

Prayer:
Heavenly God, may we be Jubilee people; people of prayer and action.

Meg Brinkhuis

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Revised/reviewed July 2, 2000