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617 The Council of Trent emphasizes the unique character of Christs sacrifice as the source of eternal salvation449 and teaches that his most holy Passion on the wood of the cross merited 1992 justification for us.45° And the Church venerates his cross as she 1235 sings: Hail, O Cross, our only hope.45 Our participation in Christs sacrifice 6THE cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the
one mediator between God and men.452 But because
in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united
himself to every man, the possibility of being made
partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal
mystery is offered to all men.453 He calls his
disciples to take up [their] cross and
follow [him],454 for Christ also
suffered 1368 for [us], leaving [us] an
example so that [we] should follow in his 1460,
307 steps.455 In fact Jesus desires to associate
with his redeeming sacri 2100 flee those who were
to be its first beneficiaries.~~6 This is achieved
supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more
964 intimately than any other person in the mystery of
his redemptive suffering.457 Apart
from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may
get to heaven.~~ 619 Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures (i Cor 15:3). 620 Our salvation flows from Gods initiative
of love for us, because he loved us and sent his Son
to be the expiation for our sins (i Jn 4:10).
God was in Christ reconciling the world to
himself (2 Cor 5:19). 621 Jesus freely offered himself for our
salvation. Beforehand, during the Last Supper, he both
symbolized this offering and made it really present:
F This is my body which is given for you (Lk
22:19).
life as a ransom for many (Mt
20:28), that is, he loved [his own] to the
end Un 13:1), so that they might be
ransomedfrom thefutile ways inheritedfrom
[their] fathers (i Pt 1:18). |
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