RCIA Session 20 – The Redeemer — Why God Became Man

The Redeemer — Why God Became Man

RCIA – Session 20
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:

  • the promised Redeemer could not be a mere human being
  • salvation requires both divine power and human solidarity
  • God became man freely, not by necessity
  • the Incarnation is central to the Catholic Faith
  • redemption is accomplished by who Christ is, not only by what He teaches

This session asks:

Why must the Redeemer be both God and man?

1. The Question Raised by the Promise

Last week we saw that:

  • God promised a Redeemer
  • salvation is God’s initiative
  • humanity cannot save itself

A serious question follows:

What kind of Redeemer could truly save humanity?

If sin is:

  • an offence against God
  • a wound to human nature

then redemption must address both.

2. Why a Mere Human Redeemer Is Not Enough

A purely human redeemer could:

  • offer good example
  • teach moral truth
  • inspire reform

But could not:

  • restore divine friendship
  • overcome death
  • give supernatural life

No human being:

  • possesses infinite worth
  • can offer satisfaction for sin against God

Moral effort alone cannot heal a supernatural loss.

3. Why the Redeemer Must Be God

Only God:

  • can forgive sin absolutely
  • can restore divine life
  • can conquer death

If salvation is real, it must be:

  • God’s work
  • not merely God’s instruction

This does not diminish human cooperation.
It places salvation where it belongs: with God.

4. Why the Redeemer Must Be Man

If redemption is to heal humanity, the Redeemer must:

  • share our nature
  • act within human history
  • obey where humanity disobeyed

Redemption is not external repair.
It is healing from within.

The Redeemer must be:

  • truly human
  • capable of suffering
  • capable of obedience

Only then can humanity be restored.

5. The Incarnation

The Church teaches:

The Son of God became man, without ceasing to be God.

This is called the Incarnation.

It does not mean:

  • God stopped being God
  • humanity was absorbed into divinity

It means:

  • one divine Person
  • with two natures
  • united without confusion

This mystery is not contradiction.
It is beyond full comprehension, but not irrational.

Penny Catechism

Q. Who is Jesus Christ?
A. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, made man for us.

6. Why God Became Man

God became man:

  • not because He had to
  • but because He chose to

The Church teaches that God became man:

  • to save us from sin
  • to show us His love
  • to restore our friendship with Him

Salvation is not abstract.
It is personal.

Penny Catechism

Q. Why did the Son of God become man?
A. The Son of God became man to redeem us from sin and to teach us how to live.

Teaching follows redemption.
It does not replace it.

7. The Humility of the Incarnation

God did not redeem humanity:

  • from a distance
  • by command alone

He entered:

  • human weakness
  • human suffering
  • human limitation

This reveals:

  • the seriousness of sin
  • the depth of God’s love

The Incarnation is not convenience.
It is self-giving.

8. Common Difficulties Addressed

“Why couldn’t God just forgive?”

Forgiveness restores relationship, but justice must be healed.

“Isn’t this too mysterious?”

Mystery does not mean nonsense.
It means reality exceeds our full grasp.

“Does this diminish God?”

It reveals His power and His love.

9. What Is Being Asked of You Now

At this stage, you are not asked to:

  • understand every detail of the mystery
  • resolve every question

You are asked to consider this:

If God became man for my salvation, what does that say about my worth?

That question leads naturally to Christ’s life and work.

10. Questions for the Week

Reflect quietly during the week:

  • Do I see salvation as teaching or transformation?
  • What does the Incarnation reveal about God?
  • What does it reveal about humanity?

11. Closing Summary

Humanity could not save itself.
God did not abandon humanity.

The Redeemer is:

  • true God
  • true man

The Incarnation stands at the centre of the Catholic Faith.

Next week we will ask:

How did the Redeemer live — and what does His life reveal about God’s plan?

Optional Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of God made man for our salvation,
give us humility to receive the gift You offer
and faith to follow where You lead.
Amen.