Wezwanie do pojednania - w perspektywie Wielkiego Jubileuszu roku 2000

Abstract

Preparing the Church for the Great Jubilee has become the hermeneutic key for John Paul H’s pontificate (cf. TMA 23). A call for reconciliation is one of the most important aspects of the preparation for the Jubilee. The period of immediate preparation of the Church for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. as the Year of Grace, requires the attitude of conversion, which is the prerequisite for reconciliation. Celebrating the Jubilee is to have a salutary character, because reminding one of the mystery of the Incarnation of God's Son it first of all points to the mystery of Redemption. Hence the joy of the Jubilee will be a joy resulting from reconciliation. The more so that the work of reconciliation aims at a full communion with God and “being inside God” God’s salutary initiative, owing to Jesus Christ’s paschal sacrifice, in Holy Spirit’s power, requires also man’s opening and cooperation in the work of reconciliation. Convertion aiming at a change of heart and of the whole life requires penitential acts and deeds. In the work of reconciliation participation of the Church is necessary, of the Church that at God’s will is a sign and tool of redemption. Through the service of reconciling man with God the Church contributes to reconciliating people with one another in the Church community, it opens itself to looking for a way of unity with other Christian Churches, to having a dialogue with other religions, and also gives authority to participate in social reconciliation. However, it is only the Church reconciliated in itself that can be the author of universal reconciliation.