Course 2, Chapter 17: Our Lord, the new Adam

1. What is the end of our union with our Lord, the new Adam?

• The end of our union with our Lord, the new Adam, is deliverance from sin, our happiness, and the glory of God in time and eternity.

Q How is this union effected?

A. This union is effected by faith, by charity, and above all, by the holy communion; to re-unite ourselves to our Lord is the end of all religion.

2. Why are these three kinds of union necessary?

These three kinds of union are necessary, because our Lord has said: Whoever will not believe, shall be condemned. He who lovest not, dwelleth in death. Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Alan and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.

3. How are we united to the second Adam?

We are united to the second Adam by faith.

4. What is faith?

Faith is a supernatural gift whereby we believe firmly all that God has revealed to his church, because he is truth itself. He who believes, submits his reason, unites himself to our Lord, and frees himself from ignorance.

5. Is our faith in Jesus Christ reasonable?

Yes, our faith in Jesus Christ is reasonable, Bince it is based on a sure foundation. This founda-

172 CATECHISM Or PERSEVERANCE.

tion is the word of God, attested by indubitable miracles, which have been sealed with the blood of many millions of martyrs, and admitted by the entire world from the beginning of ages.

6. What are the principal characters of faith?

The principal characters of faith, are: 1st, Universality; that is, our faith, must extend to all truths revealed by God and taught by the church. 2d. Simplicity; we must believe without reasoning, without questioning; when God has spoken, our reason must be silent and must submit.

7. What are the advantages of faith?

The advantages of faith, are: 1 st, to unite us with the new Adam and make us participate in his redemption; 2d, to dispel the darkness and ignorance into which the first Adam had plunged us; 3d, to cure our reason of its pride.

8. What are the objects of faith or the things we are to believe?

The objects of faith are the truths revealed by God and defined by the church. Amongst these truths there are some above our reason arid which we cannot comprehend; they are called mysteries.

Q Why is it reasonable to believe mysteries?

A. It is reasonable to believe mysteries: 1st, because our reason itself compels us to admit a great number of truths which we cannot comprehend, but of the existence of which we are perfectly sure; 2d, if there were no mysteries in religion, it would not be of God; it would be false.

9. What are the principal advantages of the mys teries of religion?

The principal advantages of the mysteries of religion, are: 1st, They put a restraint on the curiosity of our mind, and shield from attack those truths which are the basis of religion and society. 2d. They are the foundation of all the virtues; there is not a single one that does not suggest motives of gratitude

to God, love for our neighbor, and sanctity for ourselves.

10. . What are the sins opposed to faith?

The sins opposed to faith, that is, which prevent or sever our union with the new Adam, are: infidelity, apostacy, heresy, voluntary doubting, and ignorance.