Father Paul Allerton reflects on the Millennium and on some reactions to its approach, especially that of Pope John Paul II.
As we approach the year 2000, we might be forgiven if we are confused about what it is that this milestone is supposed to mean. The media report various plans for commemorating it along with the fears of different groups of people as we approach it. We read of a "Millennium Dome", of a giant Ferris Wheel, and so on, while on the other hand we hear of near-panic in computer circles as the implications of the so-called "millennium bug" are investigated. Different groups of people seem to be making plans for what are variously described as "the end-times", "the end of the world", "the Warning", "the chastisement"... among them, unfortunately, groups of seemingly devout Catholics, devoted to Our Blessed Lady, and some of them even appealing to St. Louis Marie de Montfort in support of their beliefs and attitudes. It seems that, for many people, the Millennium will be a commemoration of 2000 years of "human progress", of "development", or simply of trade. For others it will be quite simply an excuse for a big party, perhaps with overtones of superstition regarding the significance of a nice round number like 2000. And for yet others, it seems that it will be a moment filled with fear and foreboding.
Quite apart from the inherent silliness and superstition of regarding any number with awe, we, as Catholics and Christians, have to remember that the Millennium which is approaching commemorates only one thing: not "human progress", not "development", certainly not trade; but quite simply, 2000 years of SALVATION - 2000 years of the presence in our world, through the Incarnation of the Son of God as a man, of God's saving power to heal us and make us his children. And this is a cause for rejoicing and for quiet thanksgiving, not a reason for superstitious fear or anxiety. Our era is the "Christian Era" - without reference to the coming of Christ, the millennium has no meaning whatsoever.
I am of the opinion that one of the very few sound things that has been written concerning the millennium over the past few years is the Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II, Tertio Millenio Adveniente (As the Third Millennium Draws Near). Here we do not find useless speculation regarding the "end times", but an encouragement to renew our awareness of the great gift made to us in the coming of the Son of God as a man into our world. This renewed awareness will than lead us to a deeper living-out of the result of this - the new life given to each one of us who have accepted Christ as our Saviour.
In Tertio Millenio Adveniente, the Pope reminds us that the Incarnation means that God has come to us in his Son, and hence has himself supplied the answer to the deepest longings of mankind for a life beyond this limited existence. He recalls that, as with so many significant events in our human, but especially our Christian, lives, it is natural to want to celebrate the "jubilee" of this, the greatest event in the history of mankind. So he designates the year 2000 as a special "Jubilee Year", and asks all Christians, but especially Catholics, to prepare well for this celebration, through a process of reflection, particularly on the events of this past 1000 years, but more especially those of this century, not least the Second Vatican Council, which was "the beginning of a new era in the life of the Church." He suggests that the best preparation for the millennium "can only be expressed in a renewed commitment to apply the teachings of Vatican II to the life of every individual and of the whole church. He also suggests a more immediate preparation over the course of the three years leading up to the year 2000 (1997, 1998 and 1999) following on various events which were to take place in the years 1994-1996.
So we are today in the midst of the first of the three preparatory years, in which the Pope suggests an intense reflection on the reality of "Christ, the Word of God, made man by the power of the Holy Spirit", in other words, a concentration on the mystery of the Incarnation. We reproduce below the words of Pope John Paul in describing this year's reflections.
Year One: Jesus Christ |
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The first year, 1997, will thus be devoted to reflection on Christ, the Word of God, made man by the power of the Holy Spirit. The distinctly Christological character of the jubilee needs to be emphasised, for it will celebrate the incarnation and coming into the world of the Son of God, the mystery of salvation for all mankind. The general theme proposed by many cardinals and bishops for this year is: "Jesus Christ, the one saviour of the world, yesterday, today and forever" (cf. Heb. 13:8). Among the Christological themes suggested in the consistory the following stand out: a renewed appreciation of Christ, saviour and proclaimer of the Gospel, with special reference to the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Luke where the theme of Christ's mission of preaching the good news and the theme of the jubilee are woven; a deeper standing of the mystery of the incarnation and of Jesus' birth from the Virgin Mary; the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation. In order to recognise who Christ truly is, Christians, especially in the course of this year, should turn with renewed interest to the Bible, "whether it be through the liturgy, rich in the divine word, or through devotional reading, or through instructions suitable for the purpose and other aids." In the revealed text it is the heavenly Father himself who comes to us in love and who dwells with us, disclosing to us the nature of his only-begotten Son and his plan of salvation for humanity. The commitment, mentioned earlier, to make the mystery of salvation sacramentally present can lead, in the course of the year, to a renewed appreciation of baptism as the basis of Christian living, according to the words of the apostle: "As many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27). The Catechism of the Catholic Church, for its part, recalls that baptism constitutes "the foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church." From an ecumenical point of view, this will certainly be a very important year for Christians to look together to Christ the one Lord, deepening our commitment to become one in him in accordance with his prayer to the Father. This emphasis on the centrality of Christ, of the word of God and of faith ought to inspire interest among Christians of other denominations and meet with a favourable response from them. Everything ought to focus on the primary objective of the jubilee: the strengthening of faith and of the witness of Christians. It is therefore necessary to inspire in all the faithful a true longing for holiness, a deep desire for conversion and personal renewal in a context of ever more intense prayer and of solidarity with one's neighbour, especially the most needy. The first year therefore will be the opportune moment for a renewed appreciation of catechesis in its original meaning as "the apostles' teaching" (Acts 2:42) about the person of Jesus Christ and his mystery of salvation. In this regard, a detailed study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will prove of great benefit, for the catechism presents "faithfully and systematically … the teaching of sacred Scripture, the living tradition of the church and the authentic magisterium, as well as the spiritual heritage of the fathers, doctors and saints of the church, to allow for a better knowledge of the Christian mystery and for enlivening the faith of the people of God." To be realistic we need to enlighten the consciences of the faithful concerning errors regarding the person of Christ, clarifying objections against him and against the church.. The Blessed Virgin, who will be as it were "indirectly" present in the whole preparatory phase, will be contemplated in this first year especially in the mystery of her divine motherhood. It was in her womb that the Word became flesh! The affirmation of the central place of Christ cannot therefore be separated from the recognition of the role played by his most holy mother. Veneration of her, when properly understood, can in no way take away from "the dignity and efficacy of Christ the one mediator." Mary, in fact, constantly points to her divine son and she is proposed to all believers as the model of faith which is put into practice. "Devotedly meditating on her and contemplating her in the light of the Word made man, the church with reverence enters more intimately into the supreme mystery of the incarnation and becomes ever increasingly like her spouse" (Lumen Gentium 65). |