Bishop Michael Router’s Homily for Closing of the Jubilee Year of Hope in the
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, 4/1/26
Text of Bishop Michael’s Homily
On Tuesday, Pope Leo will formally bring to a close the Jubilee Year of Hope. It is fitting that this Jubilee Year ends on the Feast of the Epiphany, when we celebrate the revelation of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to all people. The wise men who travelled from distant lands signify that Christ’s light is for every race, nation and time. The Epiphany reminds us that God’s love knows no borders and the peace that comes from His saving power is offered to all.
Even though this Jubilee Year of Hope concludes, Christian hope itself does not end. It cannot end. In today’s gospel we are told by John the Evangelist that all that came to be had life in Jesus and that life was the light of all people “a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower.” Through Jesus Christ we possess a firm, unshakable assurance that no matter what unfolds in our world, no matter what trials confront us personally or collectively, darkness and evil will never have the final word.
This hope, however, is increasingly difficult to hold on to. We live in a world moving closer to the edge of destruction. The continuing war in Ukraine threatens to ignite a wider conflict. Sudan and Syria are scarred by bitter and unrelenting conflicts. The situation in Gaza remains fragile, its people exhausted by violence and hunger, and just yesterday we learned of an aggressive military operation in Venezuela that could open a new, and potentially lethal, conflict in that part of the world.
At the same time, injustice continues to grow as some world leaders enrich themselves while ignoring the cries of their own people. The gulf between rich and poor grows each year. The wealthiest 5% of the world now holds roughly three-quarters of global wealth, leaving billions with too little to live on with any semblance of comfort or dignity. Such inequality is more than an economic problem, it is a time bomb that threatens to explode and devastate the earth, God’s gift to us.
In his message for World Day of Peace on 1st of January, Pope Leo reminded us that peace is not something that we should take for granted, but instead live, cultivate and protect. The Holy Father cautions us against believing that peace is achieved by preparing for war, falling into what he calls the “irrationality of relations” between nations built on fear, domination and force rather than justice, trust and respect for human dignity.
In such a world, it is very easy for us to feel small and powerless. But we as a Christian community are not powerless. While alone we may seem insignificant, together as a people we possess a mighty voice, a voice capable of crying out “Stop!” A voice able to proclaim a hope that is not passive or sentimental, but active and transformative. If we do not stand together for the values we profess, we will surely fall together into a future marked by misery and pain.
As we step into 2026, we must begin to raise our voices with new conviction. The hope we have celebrated, prayed for and reflected upon throughout this past Jubilee year must now become tangible and effective. It is time to stand unequivocally with those who suffer, with victims of aggression and injustice, to defend the poor, and to protect the environment that strains under the weight of human greed.
In our own Archdiocese of Armagh, we have reason to continue to be people of hope as we look forward. We are joined today at this Mass by the students who are currently in formation for service in the priesthood in this diocese from the seminaries in Dundalk and in Maynooth. Their presence reminds us of the continuing generosity of young people to dedicate their lives to God’s service. We ask God’s blessing on their ongoing discernment and studies, and we recommit ourselves to praying for new vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the years ahead.
We also look forward in hope in this diocese to a major event this coming year – the Diocesan Congress on Youth, Family and Faith in March. Over the past year we have been working with the parishes and schools to prepare for this gathering. We have consulted with a large number of people, reflecting on their responses and discerning proposals to put before the congress that will place young people and families at the centre of our pastoral planning in the years ahead.
So, may the seeds of hope planted during this Jubilee Year in our diocese, and throughout the world, begin to bear fruit in the future. May 2026 be a year in which our Christian witness helps build a world more worthy of Jesus the Prince of Peace.
+ Bishop Michael Router
Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh