Some say: "What wrong has sin done to God, after all? In reality, it neither attacks nor destroys the essence of God. It takes nothing from His happiness. What can pygmies do against a giant?" This is the reasoning of the world. The pious, also, use it more or less in order to excuse themselves for their sins. Here is the answer: God, in order to manifest clearly what sin is in His eyes, has given His own Son to pay the debt rigorously, and to expiate it in a manner equal to the offence. Sin deserves all that Jesus suffered. God did but satisfy the demands of His justice by condemning Him to that terrible Passion and to that death on Calvary. Jesus came and, having taken upon Himself our sins, became our security, and endured all that we should have to undergo. If, then, you would comprehend the magnitude of the evil, study the greatness of the reparation. Sin means Jesus Crucified.
--St. Peter Julian Eymard
