Absolution and Reconciliation as Gifts of God’s Merciful Love

Cilj je ovoga rada promišljanje o sakramentu pomirenja, osobito u kontekstu teologije pomirenja te na tragu sadržaja i značenja molitve (formule) odrješenja. O sakramentu pomirenja možemo, zapravo, govoriti jedino unutar teologije pomirenja koja predstavlja jednu od središnjih teoloških tema. Otajstvo pomirenja stoji u središtu kršćanstva i proizlazi iz Božje milosrdne ljubavi kojom dohvaća paloga, grješnoga i izgubljenoga čovjeka. Sakrament pomirenja stoji u širem obzoru pomirenja koje izvodi Otac milosrđa u svome sinu Isusu Kristu po Duhu Svetom (trinitarni, kristološki i pneumatološki vid), ali i pomirenja koje se nastavlja u Crkvi i po Crkvi (ekleziološki i sakramentalni vid). Sakrament pomirenja tako je osobit izričaj i vid Božjega pomirenja i milosrđa kojim Bog želi dotaknuti svakoga čovjeka u Crkvi i po Crkvi. Pomirenje uključuje oproštenje grijeha, ali i ponovno sjedinjenje i uspostavljanje zajedništva, narušenoga grijehom, između Boga i čovjeka te među ljudima. Na osobit se način pomirenje dariva vjerniku kršteniku u sakramentu pomirenja u kojem po sakramentalnoj formuli odrješenja službenik Crkve, svećenik, u ime Crkve i in persona Christi podjeljuje oproštenje i mir.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\u27s 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