Article 1
MAN: THE IMAGE OF GOD
1701
"Christ, . . . in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father and of
his love, makes man fully manifest to himself and brings to light his exalted
vocation."2 It is in Christ, "the image of the invisible
God,"3 that man has been created "in the image and
likeness" of the Creator. It is in Christ, Redeemer and Savior, that the
divine image, disfigured in man by the first sin, has been restored to its
original beauty and ennobled by the grace of God.4
1702
The divine image is present in every man. It shines forth in the communion of
persons, in the likeness of the union of the divine persons among themselves
(cf chapter two).
1703
Endowed with "a spiritual and immortal" soul,5 The human person
is "the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own
sake."6 From his conception, he is destined for eternal beatitude.
1704
The human person participates in the light and power of the divine Spirit. By
his reason, he is capable of understanding the order of things established by
the Creator. By free will, he is capable of directing himself toward his true
good. He finds his perfection "in seeking and loving what is true and
good."7
1705
By virtue of his soul and his spiritual powers of intellect and will, man is
endowed with freedom, an "outstanding manifestation of the divine
image."8
1706
By his reason, man recognizes the voice of God which urges him "to do what
is good and avoid what is evil."9 Everyone is obliged to follow
this law, which makes itself heard in conscience and is fulfilled in the love
of God and of neighbor. Living a moral life bears witness to the dignity of the
person.
1707
"Man, enticed by the Evil One, abused his freedom at the very beginning of
history."10 He succumbed to temptation and did what was evil. He
still desires the good, but his nature bears the wound of original sin. He is
now inclined to evil and subject to error:
Man is divided in himself. As a result, the whole life of men, both individual
and social, shows itself to be a struggle, and a dramatic one, between good and
evil, between light and darkness.11
1708
By his Passion, Christ delivered us from Satan and from sin. He merited for us
the new life in the Holy Spirit. His grace restores what sin had damaged in us.
1709
He who believes in Christ becomes a son of God. This filial adoption transforms
him by giving him the ability to follow the example of Christ. It makes him
capable of acting rightly and doing good. In union with his Savior, the
disciple attains the perfection of charity which is holiness. Having matured in
grace, the moral life blossoms into eternal life in the glory of heaven.
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