Joseph Hollcraft MA
Foundations of Catechetics: CCP 211
Week 7: October 16, 2007

VIII: Original Sin: The sin by which the first human beings disobeyed the commandment of God, choosing to follow their own will rather than God’s will. Consequently, they lost the grace of original holiness and became subject to the law of death; sin became universally present in the world. This fallen nature is what Christ came to redeem (CCC 396-412).

1. Sin is the following of one’s desire; a refusal to love; disobedience (cf. Heb.4.6) to the Father’s will. Sin at the core is placing self at the center of all things. Sin is an offense against God as well as a fault against reason and right conscience (CCC 1849-1851).

a. The fallen race was in need of atonement. A restoration of divine sonship and a participation in the divinity of God. Moreover, he was in need of the strength to overcome the tempter and the seducer, “the father of lies and lord of filth.”

b. Just as Christ made a point to reveal what he overcame, so we ought to consider what we overcome in our relationship with God…consider the titles of Satan discussed in class.

IX. The Incarnation (and the Redeemer): Son of God assumed human nature and became man to restore us back to God in our human nature. He became flesh to divinize flesh (CCC 461, 464). We are called to “participate in Gods divine nature” (2 Peter 1.4). This statement demands our attention to the essence of conversion.

1. Conversion is the radical reorientation of the whole life away from sin and evil and toward God. This change of heart or conversion is a central element of Christ’s preaching, ministry and sacramental life (CCC 1427-1428).

a. See Word of the Week on Repentance.

b. Note Benedict XVI on Moses

2. See Word of the Week on Grace. Be sure to note the difference between sanctifying grace with the theological virtues (Faith, Hope and Love) and actual grace with the cardinal virtues (Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and temperance). St. Gregory of Nyssa: “the goal of a virtuous life is to become more like God.”

a. Cardinal virtues: the four virtues that all others are hinged upon: prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance (CCC 1805). Consider their etymology and linguistic background.

1.Prudence: Practical reason to discern (understand) the true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it (CCC 1806; 1835).

2. Justice: The moral virtue that consists in serving God by giving each their due (CCC 1807; 1836).

3. Fortitude: The moral virtue that ensures constancy and firmness in pursuit of the good; the virtue that helps overcome your fears (CCC 1808; 1837).

4. Temperance: a moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods (CCC 1809; 1838). See Word of the Week on Temperance

b. Theological Virtues: These virtues that enable the Christian to live in a closer relationship with the Trinitarian life of God (consider family). They have God as their origin, motive and object (CCC 1840)

1.Faith: Belief in God that he has revealed all to us through his Incarnation, Paschal Mystery and the life of the Church (CCC 1814-1816)…cf. James 2.17;26.

2. Hope: Virtue in which we desire the Kingdom of heaven, and with steadfast trust wait from God eternal life and the graces that merit it. Hope is the virtue that is placed on our heart that awakens a desire to serve God (CCC 1817-1821).

3. Charity: To love God above all things, the virtue that “binds all things together in perfect harmony” (Col.3.14). Consider the apostle Paul, “If I have not charity…I am nothing”(1 Cor.13.1-4).

a. Jn.15…“abide in my love.”

Homework Assignment: Reflecting upon the principle catechetical definitions of the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery, explain to me how these foundational doctrines of our faith work together to draw us deeper into a relationship with Jesus Christ.