![]() The managerial structure of the Church is under constant renewal, but the basic elements of collegiality and apostolic succession remain. The Synod continues to this day, recently implemented by Pope Francis for the purpose of consulting the whole Church on family life. The Council did more than mention the principle of collegiality: it gave it immense new life, by-among other things-expressing the wish for a permanent organ of collegiality, which Paul VI founded by setting up the Synod of the Bishops, whose activity not only gave a new dimension to his pontificate, but was also, later, clearly reflected in the pontificate of John Paul I, and that of his unworthy Successor from the day they began. John Paul II saw these as building blocks for the stability and future for the Church. Attempting to interpret the significance of Vatican II, he refers to Pope Paul VI’s first encyclical and to two issues critical for the future of the Church:įirst, Collegiality and the Apostolate. Drawing on the words of the documents of Vatican II and Pope John XXIII, he calls for the guidance of the Spirit of Trust and Love. John Paul II recalls the papal election and the choosing of his new name. God entered the history of humanity and, as a man, became an actor in that history, one of the thousands of millions of human beings, but, at the same time, Unique! (RH 1) This act of redemption marked the high point of the history of man within God’s loving plan. We also are in a certain way in a season of a new Advent, a season of expectation: “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets but in these last days, he has spoken to us by a Son …,” by the Son, his Word, who became man and was born of the Virgin Mary. It was looming on the horizon, yet he seemed aware that it was within his grasp in his own lifetime. ![]() The pope’s opening thoughts concerned the end of the millennium. According to John Paul II, it is within our grasp now, we inherit it now, but we also need it for the future. Rather than looking at what has gone before-our inheritance, Redemptor Hominis is framed in the future, but with reference to a priceless gift received from our past. Redeemed Man and His Situation in the Modern World.John Paul II explores four themes in Redemptor Hominis: The Incarnation, the Advent of the Son of God, opens the door to the redemption of all creation, and it is from this perspective that I have chosen this encyclical as an Advent reflection for our time. This cannot be done by human power, only by the God of love. Specfically, it states that the answer to sin is the promise of our redemption. Most important, it reflects on, exposes, and gives prophetic voice to, the path of the Church, and above all, redemption for all. Redemptor Hominis includes many references to Vatican documents and scripture. The encyclical, written only 14 years after the close of Vatican II, follows the example of a similar document written by Pope Paul VI at the beginning of his pontificate. The term, Redemptor Hominis, refers to an Advent, a prophetic reflection on what is to come, and how it will affect salvation history. It came as the result of an Advent event-the Annunciation. Christ, the Redeemer of Man, true man and God, centers on the Incarnation and its connection to the Redemption of the whole of creation. He produced three encyclicals- Redemptor Hominis, the Redeemer of Man, based on Christ as redeemer Dives in Misericordia, on God the Father and Dominum et Vivificantem, on the Holy Spirit. What was it that John Paul II mapped out in reflecting on the redeemer of man? What was the style he used which became a blueprint for his ministry? John Paul II’s writings were profoundly theological. But we witnessed the spiritual life of this saint-in-the-making, as we worked, played, studied, and grew spiritually ourselves. Now, John Paul II shares with the Father the eternal banquet. He has gone through his creation, fall, incarnation, passion, death, and resurrection, and we look forward to sharing in the parousia. In fact, we are so familiar with what happened, that we know what events brought him to his redemption, as confirmed by his canonization. We have the advantage of looking back on the events of John Paul II’s life and knowing what was to come. It was proclaimed the first Sunday of Lent, 1979, the first encyclical of the new pontificate, hence the link to Advent-it marked an Advent event to a pontificate and takes this theme in setting out a way forward for the pope’s ministry. ![]() The encyclical, Redemptor Hominis, has a specific place in the ministry of Pope St. Detail of the fresco Descent of Christ into Limbo, by Agnolo Bronzino (1552).
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