The Sin of Adam (12th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Click here for this Sunday’s readings

Click here for this Sunday’s Old Testament reflection (Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake)

This Sunday’s epistle reading forms the Biblical foundation for the doctrine of Original Sin. According to this doctrine, all humanity (except Jesus and the Virgin Mary) is born tainted by Adam’s sin, from which we experience death (both physical and spiritual), as well as evil inclinations brought about by concupiscence. The Catechism explains the effect of Original Sin on humanity as follows:

“The harmony in which they had found themselves, thanks to original justice, is now destroyed: the control of the soul’s spiritual faculties over the body is shattered; the union of man and woman becomes subject to tensions, their relations henceforth marked by lust and domination. Harmony with creation is broken: visible creation has become alien and hostile to man. Because of man, creation is now subject “to its bondage to decay.” Finally, the consequence explicitly foretold for this disobedience will come true: man will “return to the ground,”for out of it he was taken. Death makes its entrance into human history.” (CCC 444)

The idea of Original Sin is hinted at in the Old Testament in various places. For example, in Psalm 51:5, where David says, “I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Likewise, in Ecclesiastes 7:29, where Solomon says “this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”

In the Second Temple Period, this gets further explained in Wisdom 2:23-24: “God created mankind for incorruption and made him in the image of his own character, but through the devil’s envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his party experience it.” Later Rabbinic Judaism expands on this concept with the idea of the “evil inclination” (Heb. Yetzer HaRa’). Nevertheless, a full exposition of the doctrine would have to wait until the New Testament, with the writings of St. Paul.

The death which Adam brings upon the world is contrasted elsewhere with the eternal salvation brought by Christ, who is our Second Adam (v. 15). This is further elaborated on in the following verses:

“And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:16-19)

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

Let us rejoice, then, that in Christ we have conquered sin and death, and will reign forever with Him.

J. Luis Dizon