827. “Christ, ‘holy, innocent, and undefiled,’ knew nothing of sin, but came only to expiate the sins of the people. the Church, however, clasping sinners to her bosom, at once holy and always in need of purification, follows constantly the path of penance and renewal.”299 All members of the Church, including her ministers, must acknowledge that they are sinners.300 In everyone, the weeds of sin will still be mixed with the good wheat of the Gospel until the end of time.301 Hence the Church gathers sinners already caught up in Christ’s salvation but still on the way to holiness:
The Church is therefore holy, though having sinners in her midst, because she herself has no other life but the life of grace. If they live her life, her members are sanctified; if they move away from her life, they fall into sins and disorders that prevent the radiation of her sanctity. This is why she suffers and does penance for those offenses, of which she has the power to free her children through the blood of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.302
Aprofunde seus conhecimentos
283. What is the meaning of transubstantiation?
530. What are the other requirements for purity?
256. In what does the essential rite of Baptism consist?
250. How are the sacraments of the Church divided?
328. What is the effect of ordination to the priesthood?
129. What is the condition of the risen body of Jesus?
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What does it mean to choose godliness over the flesh, according to 1 Peter 4:1-6?
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
What is Jeremiah’s message about God’s unconditional love?
How is God’s sovereignty portrayed amidst the chaos in Lamentations 2:8-9?
