the origins of the species
"She took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." —Genesis 3:6
When we sin, we become alienated from the Lord and others. In sin, we become spiritually blinded, confused, enslaved, and insensitive. By sin, we hurt the other members of Christ's body, the Church. These are only a few of the countless effects of one sin. Nevertheless, although we all are familiar with these bad effects of sin, we can hardly fathom the enormity of the first sin, that is, the sin that changed the origin of our species and gave us a fallen nature. The effects of our sins are not genetically inherited by our children and their children, etc. However, the effect of Adam and Eve's sin was genetically inherited by humanity. This boggles the mind and is the root of every evil on earth.
The original sin and our subsequent fallen nature can only be dealt with by our being begotten from above, born again (see Jn 3:3), created anew (see Gal 6:15). Jesus made this possible by His death and resurrection. We accept this new birth by being baptized (see Jn 3:5), and we live the resulting new life by faith.
The purpose of Lent is to help us live the new life of baptism by deepening our faith. After Lent, at every Easter Sunday Mass, in every Catholic Church in the world, the Church will call us to renew our baptismal promises. This is one of the greatest possible expressions of faith, and is the heart of God's plan of salvation.
Give alms, pray, fast, repent, go to Confession, prepare to renew your baptismal promises.
Prayer: Father, may I "grasp and live the immense, extraordinary richness and responsibility" of my baptism (Lay Members of Christ's Faithful People, Pope John Paul II, 61).
Promise: "Not on bread alone is man to live but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God." —Mt 4:4
Praise: Glory and praise to You, risen Lord Jesus Christ!
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Effects of Sin on audio AV 81-3 or video V-81.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 8, 2013
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.