Work and spirituality. The article raises the issue indicated as very essential by
blessed John Paul II in his encyclical Laborem exercens. This wide topic has been
presented taking into consideration the following points. Attention has been paid
to work as a multidimensional and ambiguous reality. Next, the problem of the relation
between work and sin as well as its negative consequences has been discussed. It is
associated, among others, with the false and widespread belief that work constitutes
a punishment for sin and its result in the Christian understanding. However, we are
dealing here, above all, with the aspect of human likeness to God given by Him and
the powerful tool of salvation. Another thematic block regards the understanding and
experiencing work as the participation in the act of God, who creates (creatio prima
et continua). Then, relations between work and Christ as well as the act of salvation
carried out by Him has been presented, including experiencing work as the participation
in His cross and in relation to His resurrection. What is more, the topic of eschatological
meaning of work, its associations with the eternal fullness of life as granting
the excellence to the activity of the saved (creatio nova) has been raised.