In the incarnation the Son of God made Himself one with man – with Adam. Entering the world of the dead, Jesus bears the stigmata, the signs of his passion: his wounds, his suffering, have become power: they are love that conquers death. He meets Adam and all the men and women waiting in the night of death. But we may ask: what is the meaning of all this imagery? What was truly new in what happened on account of Christ? The human soul was created immortal ”“ what exactly did Christ bring that was new? The soul is indeed immortal, because man in a unique way remains in God’s memory and love, even after his fall. But his own powers are insufficient to lift him up to God.
