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First of all, there is Christ's victory over original sin, for the
Apostle says: "As by the offense of one, unto all men to
condemnation; so also by the justice of one, unto all men to
justification of life. For as by the disobedience of one man, many
were made sinners; so also by the obedience of one man, many shall be
made just.... Where sin abounded, grace did more abound; that as
sin hath reigned to death, so also grace might reign by justice unto
life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord."[2199]
But the holy Doctor explains: "Original sin spread in this way,
that at first the person [Adam] infected the nature, and afterward
the nature infected the person [of Adam's posterity]. Whereas
Christ in reverse order at first repairs what regards the person (by
baptism of water or by baptism of desire), and afterward will
simultaneously repair what pertains to the nature in all men.
Consequently by baptism He takes away from man forthwith the guilt of
original sin and the punishment of being deprived of the heavenly
vision. But the penalties of the present life, such as death,
hunger, thirst, and the like, pertain to the nature, from the
principles of which they arise, inasmuch as it is deprived of original
justice. Therefore these defects will not be taken away until the
ultimate restoration of nature through the glorious
resurrection."[2200]
St. Thomas explains: "A Christian retains a passible body so that
"if we suffer with Christ, we may be also glorified with Him'
(Rom. 8:11), and this is suitable for our spiritual training,
so that, by fighting against concupiscence and other defects, we may
receive the crown of victory."[2201]
Christ's victory over original sin fulfils the prophecy of St. John
the Baptist, who said: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who
taketh away the sin of the world."[2202]
The Scripture records that, after St. Peter's first sermon to the
Jews on the day of Pentecost, three thousand were converted and
baptized: "And there were added in that day about three thousand
souls."[2203] St. Peter had said to them: "Do penance,
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the
remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost."[2204]
But during twenty centuries a vast number of infants and adults have
been freed from the stain of original sin through baptism by water, or
baptism of desire.
Likewise Christ's victory over actual sin is many times affirmed in
Sacred Scripture. Thus St. Paul says: "But God, who is rich
in mercy, for His exceeding charity wherewith He loved us, even when
we were dead in our sins, hath quickened us together in Christ (by
whose grace you are saved) and hath raised us up together, and hath
made us sit together in the heavenly places through Christ
Jesus."[2205] Again he says: "And you, when you were dead
in your sins..., He hath quickened together with Him, forgiving
you all offenses."[2206]
Thus it is that very many persons rise again spiritually by means of
sacramental absolution or without the sacrament by the grace of
contrition. And every day the most abundant fruits of the sacrifice on
the cross are applied to us through the Sacrifice of the Mass.
In fact, the victory over the spirit of the world, that is, over the
concupiscence of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life, is
clearly seen from the foundation of the Church, since many Christians
actually observe the evangelical counsels of poverty, perfect
chastity, and obedience, or at least by self-denial retain the spirit
of the counsels, so that they may increasingly advance in the
observance of the greatest commandment, which is "Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with all
thy strength, and thy neighbor as thyself."[2207]
Sometimes this victory over sin is strikingly illustrated in
martyrdom, as happened in the first three centuries in the life of the
Church amid incessant persecutions, and as happened in our times; for
instance, during the revolution in Spain, when so much blood was shed
that 6, 000 priests were killed. Thus the words of the
Evangelist are verified: "For whatsoever is born of God,
overcometh the world; and this is the victory which overcometh the
world, our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world but he that
believeth that Jesus is the Son of God...? He that believeth in
the Son of God, hath the testimony of God in himself.... And
this is the testimony that God hath given to us, eternal life. And
this life is in His Son."[2208]
Thus amid the miseries of the present life, the holiness of the
Church shines conspicuously in the lives of many servants of God who
are truly His friends, and who lead others to Him.
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