Holiness and Justice: Whats the difference?

Written by Kevin Aldrich on January 30, 2013 3 Comments

I was confused for a long time by statements I read about the condition of Adam
and Eve before the fall and our condition afterwards.

Our first parents were in a state of holiness and justice before the Original Sin and
they lost these. Consequently we are born without them. But what do these terms
mean?

St. Paul tells us we were created after the likeness of God in true righteousness
and holiness (Eph 4:24). God created Adam and Eve in a state of original justice
and original holiness (CCC 375).

According to the Catechism, original justice means Adam and Eve were in a right
relationship with themselves, each other, and all of creation (CCC 376).

Original holiness means Adam and Eve shared in Gods own life through
sanctifying grace, so they were adopted children of God (CCC 375).
So basically, justice refers to our relationship with created things and holiness
refers to our relationship with God. If it sounds too complicated still, we can say
that holiness simply means a relationship of friendship with God. Justice is the
same thing, friendship, but extended to creatures.