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REPARATION: BUILDING ON THE RUINS181. All that has been said thus far enables us to understand in the light of God%u2019s word the propermeaning of the %u201creparation%u201d to the heart of Christ that the Lord expects us, with the help of hisgrace, to %u201coffer%u201d. The question has been much discussed, but Saint John Paul II has given us aclear response that can guide Christians today towards a spirit of reparation more closely attunedto the Gospels.The social significance of reparation to the heart of Christ182.%u00a0 Saint John Paul explained that by entrusting ourselves together to the heart of Christ, %u201coverthe ruins accumulated by hatred and violence, the greatly desired civilization of love, the Kingdomof the heart of Christ, can be built%u201d. This clearly requires that we %u201cunite filial love for God and loveof neighbour%u201d, and indeed this is %u201cthe true reparation asked by the heart of the Saviour%u201d. [192] Inunion with Christ, amid the ruins we have left in this world by our sins, we are called to build a newcivilization of love. That is what it means to make reparation as the heart of Christ would have usdo. Amid the devastation wrought by evil, the heart of Christ desires that we cooperate with him inrestoring goodness and beauty to our world.183. All sin harms the Church and society; as a result, %u201cevery sin can undoubtedly be consideredas a social sin%u201d and this is especially true for those sins that %u201cby their very matter constitute a directattack on one%u2019s neighbour%u201d. [193] Saint John Paul II explained that the repetition of these sinsagainst others often consolidates a %u201cstructure of sin%u201d that has an effect on the development ofpeoples. [194] Frequently, this is part of a dominant mind-set that considers normal or reasonablewhat is merely selfishness and indifference. This then gives rise to social alienation: %u201cA society isalienated if its forms of social organization, production and consumption make it more difficult tooffer the gift of self and to establish solidarity between people%u201d. [195] It is not only a moral normthat leads us to expose and resist these alienated social structures and to support efforts withinsociety to restore and consolidate the common good. Rather, it is our %u201cconversion of heart%u201d that%u201cimposes the obligation%u201d [196] to repair these structures. It is our response to the love of the heartof Jesus, which teaches us to love in turn.184. Precisely because evangelical reparation possesses this vital social dimension, our acts oflove, service and reconciliation, in order to be truly reparative, need to be inspired, motivated andempowered by Christ. Saint John Paul II also observed that %u201cto build the civilization of love%u201d, [197]our world today needs the heart of Christ. Christian reparation cannot be understood simply as acongeries of external works, however indispensable and at times admirable they may be. Theseneed a %u201cmystique%u201d, a soul, a meaning that grants them strength, drive and tireless creativity. Theyneed the life, the fire and the light that radiate from the heart of Christ.Mending wounded hearts43