In this episode, we talk about Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction on the Jubilee Year of Hope! A Jubilee year occurs once every 25 years and it is a year set apart and consecrated just for our Lord. We chat about what it looks like to be pilgrims of hope, especially in the places where we have deep sorrows or unfulfilled desires. We reflect on how we can bring these tender places to our Lord and let them be illuminated, so He can redeem and restore the light of hope in our lives. Keeping our hearts open to hope can be painful and crucifying. But when we enter into this pilgrimage, we are transformed in the light of hope.

Heather’s One Thing - The Podcast Burning Hearts with Rachel Herbeck

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Heather’s Acoustic Worship Spotify Playlist

Michelle’s One Thing - Jubilee by Maverick City Music

Other Resources Mentioned:

• In Defense of Hope a talk by Jackie Hill Perry

Announcement:

Join us for our Lenten Study beginning March 5th, 2025 as we journey through “Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor“ by Dr. John Bergsma. We look forward to sitting at the feet of a leading scholar as we unpack what the Lord has in store for us in the year of Jubilee.

Order your copy at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. Amazon has very limited copies, so we recommend you order from St. Paul Center to ensure you receive your copy before Lent begins!

Journal Questions:

• Where in my life am I experiencing hopelessness?
• What idols do I place my hope in?
• How can I look at this year through the lens of hope?
• Think about an area of hopelessness in your life. What do you believe about the situation? What do you believe about yourself in this situation? What do you believe about the Lord in this area?
  

Discussion Questions:

• Where in your life is it scary to have hope?
• When have you experienced the buoyancy and freedom of hope?
• How is Christ inviting you to hope this year?
• How does your hopelessness impact your understanding of the character of God?

Quotes to Ponder:

"Begin again with hope." (Pope Francis)

“Indeed, the jubilee is a new beginning, the possibility for everyone to start anew from God. With the jubilee we start a new life, a new phase.” (Pope Francis)

Scripture for Lectio:

“Hope does not disappoint.” (Romans 5:5)

Sponsor - Glory: Women’s Gathering:

Timestamps:

00:00 - Glory: Women’s Conference

1:31 - Intro

1:39 - Welcome

6:16 - Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote

6:51- Why Hope?

10:01 - Hopelessness and Fear

12:20 - Grieving Hopeless Areas

16:29 - A Place of Healing

17:41 - It’s A Pilgrimage

19:33 - The Grace of Jubilee

21:55 - Patience

23:50 - An Invitation to Transformation

25:50 - Challenge to Mature

27:22 - Our Lady Mother of Hope

29:26 - Lenten Book Study Announcement

32:01 - One Things

Welcome to the season 16 kickoff with our annual tradition of the Word of the Year episode! Each year, we ask God to give us a theme to focus on for the new year and invite you to do the same. After personal prayer and reflection, we share what our words for 2025 mean to us and chat about the Saints journeying with us this year. We are excited to be back and look forward to seeing what this season will bring.

Heather’s One Thing - This Strange Land Podcast

Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Jubilee Year podcast episode from the Poco a Poco Podcast

Michelle’s One Thing - Notre Dame Football and Marcus Freeman and time with Heather and Sister at the 2025 SEEK Conference in DC

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Word of the Year video from Blessed is She
• Beautiful Holiness Beautiful Holiness: A Spiritual Journey With Blessed Conchita to the Heart of Jesus by Kathleen Beckman
• Under the Gaze of the Father by Archbishop Martinez (A retreat written for Blessed Conchita)

Journal Questions:

• If you’ve been selecting a word of the year for a few years now, reflect on how the words have built on each other over time.
• Through what golden lens does God want me to see my year?
• How can I approach this new year with a spirit of integration rather than novelty?
• In what circumstances of your life do you feel like God isn’t showing up?

Discussion Questions:

• How did you experience your word for 2024?
• What is the Lord doing for you this year?
• How is the Lord inviting you to greater faithfulness in 2025?
• Do you feel like any particular saints have been chosen to journey with you this year?
• What is your word for 2025?

Quote to Ponder:

“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year, but rather that we should have a new soul.” (G.K. Chesterton)

Scripture for Lectio:

“And a word spoken in due season, how good it is.” (Proverbs 15:23)

Sponsor - Rooted for Good:

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We’re honored to sponsor the Abiding Together podcast, a community rooted in faith, inspiration, and connection. This partnership is extra special, as many women in the Abiding Together community have been integral to Rooted’s amazing growth. Today, women across the U.S. and beyond trust Rooted products as a key part of their skincare routines.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Rooted for Good

01:31 - Intro

02:23 - Welcome

04:01 - Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse

04:34 - What is a Word of the Year?

08:24 - Michelle’s Word(s)

14:10 - Heather’s Word

24:10 - Sister’s Word

32:15 - One Things