The first Adam was made by the last Adam, from whom he also received his soul, to give him life. . . The first man, Adam, he says, became a living soul, the last Adam a life-giving spirit. Paul tells us that the human race takes its origin from two men: Adam and Christ. . . 223ģ59 "In reality it is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of man truly becomes clear." 224 Nor does he ever cease to work, trying every possible means, until he has raised man up to himself and made him sit at his right hand. God attached so much importance to his salvation that he did not spare his own Son for the sake of man. What is it that is about to be created, that enjoys such honor? It is man that great and wonderful living creature, more precious in the eyes of God than all other creatures! For him the heavens and the earth, the sea and all the rest of creation exist. And he is called by grace to a covenant with his Creator, to offer him a response of faith and love that no other creature can give in his stead.ģ58 God created everything for man, 222 but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to him: He is capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with other persons. 221ģ57 Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. What made you establish man in so great a dignity? Certainly the incalculable love by which you have looked on your creature in yourself! You are taken with love for her for by love indeed you created her, by love you have given her a being capable of tasting your eternal Good. It was for this end that he was created, and this is the fundamental reason for his dignity: 219 He is "the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake", 220 and he alone is called to share, by knowledge and love, in God's own life. "I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH"ģ55 "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them." 218 Man occupies a unique place in creation: (I) he is "in the image of God" (II) in his own nature he unites the spiritual and material worlds (III) he is created "male and female" (IV) God established him in his friendship.ģ56 Of all visible creatures only man is "able to know and love his creator". Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART 1 SECTION 2 CHAPTER 1 ARTICLE 1 PARAGRAPH 6 CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
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