Original scientific paper
Absolution and Reconciliation as Gifts of God’s Merciful Love
Davor Vuković
orcid.org/0000-0002-3496-2334
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Đakovo, Croatia
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to reflect on the sacrament of reconciliation, especially in the context of the theology of reconciliation, following the content and meaning of the prayer (formula) of absolution. In fact, we can speak about the sacrament of reconciliation only within the theology of reconciliation, which is one of the central theological themes. The mystery of reconciliation stands at the center of Christianity and derives from God's merciful love which retrieves the fallen, sinful, and lost man. The sacrament of reconciliation stands in the wider horizon of reconciliation carried out by the Father of Mercy in his son Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit (Trinitarian, Christological and pneumatological aspect), but also of reconciliation which is continued in the Church and through the Church (ecclesiological and sacramental aspect). This makes the sacrament of reconciliation a distinctive expression and aspect of God’s reconciliation and mercy through which God wants to touch every person in the Church and through the Church. Reconciliation includes the forgiveness of sins, but also the reunion and re-establishment of community that was impaired by sin, between God and man, and between people. In a special way, reconciliation is given to a baptized believer in the sacrament of reconciliation where through the sacramental formula of absolution the officer of the Church, the priest, in the name of the Church and in persona Christi confers forgiveness and peace.
Keywords
mercy; absolution; reconciliation; forgiveness; forgiveness of sins; peace
Hrčak ID:
171264
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2016.
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