"The first attempt at a response: there must have been a fall, a decline, and the road to salvation can only be the return of the sensible finite into the intelligible infinite"

Hans Urs von Balthasar, a Swiss theologian and priest understood for his extensive contributions to Catholic faith, offers a rich tapestry of meaning in this quote. The essence of the passage focuses on themes of spiritual decline and redemption, portrayed as both a philosophical and theological journey.

"The first attempt at a reaction: there should have been a fall, a decline" suggests that mankind, or possibly production itself, has experienced a lapse from an original state of grace or pureness. This is reminiscent of the Biblical fall of guy, where Adam and Eve's disobedience symbolizes the preliminary step far from consistency with the Divine. The "fall" indicates not simply an ethical lapse however an existential one, where mankind is distanced from its desired function or union with God.

The phrase "the road to salvation can only be the return of the practical finite into the intelligible infinite" suggests a pathway for redemption. Here, "reasonable finite" likely describes the concrete, material elements of human existence-- our real world and experiences. In contrast, the "intelligible infinite" represents the magnificent truth or ultimate truth, which transcends human understanding. Balthasar proposes that real redemption includes a transformative return to this greater state of existence or awareness.

This journey from the finite to the infinite is not merely a cognitive awareness but an ontological shift, a modification in being. It challenges individuals to move beyond the restrictions of the material world, seeking positioning with a higher, divine reality. In essence, Balthasar's quote deepens the understanding of salvation, providing it as a homecoming or reconciliation with the divine source.

Such a journey entails not just spiritual introspection however also a reorientation of one's life towards values that reflect divine knowledge and love, eventually causing repair and wholeness. Through this reconciliation of the limited and limitless, humanity can attain the salvation that Balthasar envisions.