Ember Wednesday in Lent

In the Catechism, we learn that God did not make death; death entered the world through the devil’s envy. Satan and the other demons freely refused to serve God and seek to draw humanity into their revolt. At the beginning of history, Adam abused his freedom by turning against God and seeking his goal apart from him. Through this first sin, humanity lost original holiness and justice. This original sin is transmitted with human nature, leaving it weakened, subject to ignorance, suffering, and death, and inclined to sin. Yet the good news is that Christ’s victory over sin brings blessings greater than those sin had taken away: where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. As we reflect together, we can remember both the seriousness of turning from God and the greater abundance of grace given through Christ.