Descriptive Definition of

Original Sin

Original sin can be describe as the state which we

are born as member of the human race. We are thus
situated in a sinful history that affects our capacity
to love God above all, to become our true full
selves, and achieve our destiny.
It is called original since it dates from the original
of human race. This means it is universal: all need
to be redeemed.

 It is called sin not because it is a personal sinful

thought, word, or action on our part, but because
it is a state contrary to Gods will.
It is an obstacle to that positive loving relation to
Him and His whole creation for which we are
created

CFC 384. This Catholic Doctrine should not be

difficult to understand since we all experience this
inclination to evil and a lack of harmony within
ourselves, with others and with all created things
The Bible frequently highlights this experience of
disharmony by describing life as a dramatic
struggle between good and evil, between the light
and the darkness (Ecclesiastes; Isaiah; Romans)

CFC 385. Our experience of this personal

disharmony within us is strikingly describe by St.
Pauls cry of anguish: What happens is that I do,
not the good I will to do, but the evil I do not
intend . . . What a wretched man I am! Who can free
me from this body under the power of death?
Yet Pauls answer immediately: All praise to God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord! (ROM 7: 19-20, 24
25).

ROM 7: 19-20, 24-25

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil
which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would
not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth
in me. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver
me from the body of this death? I thank God
through Jesus Christ our lord. So then with the mind
I myself serve the flesh the law of sin.

CFC 386. More emphasized today are the social

consequences of original sin. Yet in many current
efforts to bring peace, justice, and economic
betterment to all, the obstacle of sin tends to be
passed over. Sin is not an active category in current
social sciences, which even some well-meaning
Christian seem to think will bring salvation. But to
so ignore the fact of our wounded human nature,
our inclination to self-centeredness and pride has
led to grave errors in the areas of education,
politics, social action and morals

CFC 387. As Filipinos with a deep culture Catholic

tradition, we should be able to recognize the very
fruitful contribution of the social sciences without
idolizing them. We will not ultimately be saved by
any new five-year economic plan, or novel political
stratagem. Only by responding as best we can the
grace of Christ our lord , will all our economic, social
and political activities be salvific.

CFC 388. Vatican II gives us a glimpse of the depth and extent of this
response: for a monumental struggle against the powers of darkness
pervades our whole human history. The battle was joined from the very
origins of the world and will continue until the last day (cf. Mt 24:13;13:2430) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying The kingdom of heaven is
likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men
slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his
way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then
appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said
unto him, Sir didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then
hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants
said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said,
Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with
them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I
will say to reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in
bundles to burn them : but gather the wheat into my barn

CFC 389. Finally, we all must face the ultimate test

of our lives: death. Our natural deep fear and dread
of total annihilation and extinction can make death
a traumatic test. Bodily death as we now
experience it is due to the Fall : Because God did
not make death, nor does He rejoice in the
destruction of the living. For He fashioned all things
that they might have being . . . It was the wicked
who hands and words invited death, and considered
it a friend, a pined for it, and made a covenant with
it , because the deserved to be in its possession(Wis
1:13-14,16)

CFC 390. St. Paul also bring out clearly the relation
of the death to sin: Just as through one man sin
entered the world, with sin death, death thus
coming to all men inasmuch as all sinned (ROM
5:12) Therefore, just a through one person sin
entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus
death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned. But he
does this to show that as sin reigned through
death, grace also may reign by way of justice
leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
(ROM 5:21) . Vatican II repeats this message

God has called us, and still calls us, to cleave with
all our being to him in sharing forever a life that is
divine and free from all decay. Christ won this
victory when he rose to life, for by his death he
freed us from death( GS 18)

Thank you