RCIA Session 18 – Sin and the Fall — What Went Wrong?

Sin and the Fall — What Went Wrong?

RCIA – Session 18
This session forms part of a structured introduction to the Catholic Faith used in parish RCIA. It is intended to be read slowly and prayerfully, alongside participation in the life of the Church. This material is offered for formation and reflection. Reception into the Catholic Church always involves personal discernment and parish accompaniment.

Aim of this session

By the end of this session, participants should understand that:

  • evil is not part of God’s creation
  • sin arises from the misuse of freedom
  • the Fall is a real event with lasting consequences
  • human nature is wounded, not destroyed
  • the need for salvation is universal

This session asks:

If humanity was created good, why is the world so broken?

1. The Problem We Cannot Avoid

From the beginning of human history, certain facts are obvious:

  • people choose what they know is wrong
  • injustice persists even when laws exist
  • suffering touches everyone
  • no society achieves lasting harmony

These facts demand explanation.

If:

  • God is good
  • creation is good
  • humanity is made in God’s image

then something has gone wrong.

The Catholic Faith does not deny this problem.
It names it clearly.

2. What Sin Is — and Is Not

Sin is not:

  • a mistake
  • a weakness only
  • social conditioning
  • psychological imbalance

Sin is:

A free and deliberate turning away from God’s law.

Sin involves:

  • knowledge
  • choice
  • responsibility

Without freedom, there is no sin.
Without truth, there is no guilt.

Penny Catechism

Q. What is sin?
A. Sin is an offence against God, by thought, word, deed, or omission.

This definition is moral, not emotional.

3. The First Sin: The Fall

The Church teaches that:

  • the first human beings were created in friendship with God
  • they were given freedom
  • they were tested

The Fall occurred when:

  • human beings chose self over God
  • trust was replaced by disobedience
  • freedom was misused

This was not:

  • ignorance
  • necessity
  • coercion

It was a free act.

The Church teaches this as a real event, not a myth invented to explain suffering.

4. What Was Lost in the Fall

The Fall did not destroy human nature.
It wounded it.

What was lost:

  • original harmony with God
  • interior harmony
  • freedom from suffering and death

What remained:

  • reason
  • freedom
  • dignity

Human beings are not evil by nature.
They are wounded.

Penny Catechism

Q. What harm did the sin of Adam do to us?
A. The sin of Adam deprived us of original justice, and brought suffering and death into the world.

5. Original Sin

Original sin does not mean:

  • personal guilt for Adam’s act
  • a bad gene
  • a physical stain

It means:

A wounded human nature passed on to all.

Every human being is born:

  • without original holiness
  • inclined toward sin
  • in need of grace

This explains why:

  • sin is universal
  • moral effort alone fails
  • goodness is difficult

Penny Catechism

Q. What is original sin?
A. Original sin is the sin which we inherit from Adam.

6. Freedom After the Fall

Human freedom remains real.

But it is now:

  • weakened
  • inclined toward selfishness
  • in conflict

This explains:

  • inner struggle
  • divided desires
  • repeated failure

Freedom still exists.
But it needs healing.

7. Why God Permits Sin

God does not cause sin.

He permits it because:

  • freedom makes love possible
  • forced goodness is not goodness

God allows sin only because:

  • He can bring good from it
  • His plan is greater than human failure

The Church does not minimise sin.
She also does not despair.

8. Common Difficulties Addressed

“Isn’t this just pessimistic?”

It is realistic.
It explains experience honestly.

“Why punish everyone for one sin?”

Original sin is not punishment, but consequence.

“Isn’t this outdated?”

Human behaviour has not changed.

9. What Is Being Asked of You Now

At this stage, you are not asked to:

  • feel guilt
  • judge others

You are asked to consider this:

If human nature is wounded, can I heal myself?

That question prepares the way for redemption.

10. Questions for the Week

Reflect quietly during the week:

  • Where do I see division within myself?
  • Do I underestimate the power of sin?
  • Do I rely on effort alone to be good?

11. Closing Summary

Humanity was created good.
Humanity fell through sin.
Human nature is wounded, not destroyed.

This explains:

  • moral struggle
  • suffering
  • the need for salvation

Next week we will ask:

Did God abandon humanity — or did He promise a Redeemer?

Optional Closing Prayer

Merciful God,
You know our weakness and our wounds.
Give us honesty to recognise our need,
and hope in the help You promise.
Amen.