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Catechism of the Catholic Church

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Christ's death is the unique and definitive sacrifice

613 Christ's death is both the Paschal sacrifice that accomplishes the definitive redemption of men, through "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world", 439 and the sacrifice of the New Covenant, which restores man to communion with God by reconciling him to God through the "blood of the covenant, which was poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins". 440

614 This sacrifice of Christ is unique; it completes and surpasses all other sacrifices. 441 First, it is a gift from God the Father himself, for the Father handed his Son over to sinners in order to reconcile us with himself. At the same time it is the offering of the Son of God made man, who in freedom and love offered his life to his Father through the Holy Spirit in reparation for our disobedience. 442

Notes:

439 Jn 1:29; cf. 8:34-36; I Cor 5:7; I Pt 1:19.

440 Mt 26:28; cf. Ex 24:8; Lev 16:15-16; Cor 11:25.

441 Cf. Heb 10:10.

442 Cf. Jn 10:17-18; 15:13; Heb 9:14; I Jn 4:10.

English Translation of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church for the United States of America © 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.

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