In this later part of the fifth book of the Letter to the Romans, Paul draws our attention to a comparison between Adam and Jesus. This comparison has to do with the dramatic change both individuals bring to the human race. "Adam is a ‘type’ or ‘prototype’ of the person to come, namely, Jesus, who would far surpass what Adam did." (Collegeville Bible Commentary pg. 1086) Through his failure, Adam unleashes universal physical, moral, and spiritual death upon mankind. Paul emphasizes the impact of Adam's decision to disobey God and shows the profound effect this disobedience has on all of mankind. He mentions in verse fourteen that although those who followed Adam may not have committed Adam’s specific sin, they are still infected by the death that had entered the word as a product of this sin. It is clear that this disobedience has led mankind down a path of destruction, that it has wounded him, made him less than God intended him to be. The good news of the gospel is that although one man’s disobedience brought death to us all, the gift that Christ brings through his own death and resurrection fills us with new life, undoing the damage that Adam's trespass caused.
Christ's gift heals the damage caused not only by the trespass of Adam but by all the trespasses of all mankind throughout time. Jesus, who is called by Paul “the second Adam” in 1Cor. 15:45, takes upon Himself the responsibility of healing man's wounds, and through His death leaves a means whereby man can overcome not only the trespass of Adam, but each person’s own trespasses as well. This gift is the gift of redemption and salvation. The prophet Isaiah speaks of this gift in a way that illuminates Paul’s words and illustrates the difference between the decision made by Adam and the one made by Jesus – the decision that leads him to Calvary: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with His stripes we are healed." (Isa. 53:5) The Lord's death and resurrection made salvation available to all mankind; through it He reverses the destruction caused by Adam's sin and heals the wounded-ness of us all. Isaiah implies that the sin of Adam fragmented man and his ability to serve God. He also implies that the gift of Jesus makes us whole once again, returns us to the state that God intended for us at our creation.
I think
it is important to mention that this comparison also emphasizes the opportunity
we have as God's creation to make wise choices.
In the story of Adam we see the result of choosing to disobey God.
Jesus, gives us the gift of salvation
and continues to sanctify us, bringing us closer and closer to what God intends
for us. This process of sanctification enables us to make choices that truly
reflect our God-given nature, choices that reflect the one we are to serve. Adam
did not make a choice that reflected his creator. Will we in our own lives
make choices that reflect our creator and redeemer?
Whenever you're having a tough time, sit down and read the first few chapters of Genesis and your troubles will begin to make more sense. We see Adam and Eve, hiding in the garden, quaking in fear and shame because of their sin and nakedness. They are your parents and mine. As a fellow psychologist once said to me years ago, "We are all the victims of the victims of the victims of the victims of Adam and Eve."
Original sin also means the loss of sanctifying grace-that relationship we should have had with God at conception, but now do not. This separation from the very source of our life puts us at very grave risk in so many ways. St. Paul teaches that "sin came into the world through one man and death through sin." (Rom. 5:12)
- Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., "Healing the Original Wound" Reflections on the Full Meaning of Salvation, pg. 22
1. How did Adam fail God?
2. Discuss how Adam's failure has affected the entire human race.
3. Discuss what the gift of Christ can do for man's failures?
Lord, what You say is true. Grant that I may follow Your words in my daily life. Your truth shall teach me, guide me, and protect me. May it deliver me from all evil desires and foolish love. Let me esteem nothing as great, or valuable, or wonderful, except insofar as it makes me better and more pleasing in Your eyes. In this way I shall never be a slave of this earth, but shall walk daily towards Heaven with a holy freedom of heart. Amen.
--Anthony
J. Paone, S.J., My Daily Bread, Brooklyn, N.Y., Confraternity Of The
Precious Blood Of Jesus, Pg.7