This passage from Leviticus is a good example how the Bible influenced European civilization and then the whole world. The notion of a Jubilee every fifty years has developed widely so that we celebrate jubilees of lesser lengths of time.

Several ideas are central to the jubilee as described here. There is first of all to be a return to one's own property and to one's family estate. This probably meant something like returning to one's origin. In a certain sense, Jesus liberated us from a strict connection with any particular land or piece of land and told us that we are to seek first the kingdom of God. In the Beatitudes he assured us: "Blessed are the meek for they shall possess the land." Being meek or childlike is a preparation for entering the Kingdom of God: "Unless you change and become like little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mt 18:3).

The central notion of jubilee is the celebration of life, and perhaps with it a warning not to take everything for granted: "you shall not sow nor shall you reap." Stand back from all your occupations and rest, take stock of where you stand with God.