GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION IS FULFILLED Section 3:

THE RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF JESUS Section 3, Part 2

Introduction Continue looking at the heart of the Paschal Mystery (narrow) Jesus’ Resurrection & Ascension fulfills God’s plan of salvation (broad) How is the Resurrection a basis of hope for our own What is Resurrection?; What does it prove?; How do we know it happened?; What is a Resurrected body like?; Why did Jesus’ ascend after 40 days?… Resurrection is source of great joy since we are called to participate in as fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation 5 Articles  (A. 25) – The Events of the Resurrection  (A. 26) – What is the Resurrection?  (A. 27) – The Significance of Christ’s Resurrection  (A. 28) – The Ascension  (A. 29) – The Significance of Christ’s Ascension

Article 25: The Events of the Resurrection Jesus vs. other religious leaders—Moses, Confucius, Buddha, Mohammed Resurrection makes unique (identity & mission)—definition Commonalities among the Gospels  Women first, then men  Not dead but alive  Mary Magdalene = apostle to the apsotles  Later appearances– shock & fear but peace & continue mission Uniqueness of the Gospels-why but still real  Emmaus—Mk & Lk  Thomas—Jn  Peter on shore—Jn  Ascension—Mk & Lk  Paul—Acts Proof for the Resurrection  Historical validity of NT  Consistent belief of the Early Church  Empty tomb & martyrdom  Transformation of apostles Historical vs. Meta-historical event?– as always, both and Most importantly = what do I believe & how will it change me

You Tube Videos: Resurrection Fr. Barron: Resurrection Evidence of the Resurrection Evidence of the Resurrection

Homework Read AA in the e-book for discussion tomorrow Section 3, Part 2 review ?’s 1-2

Article 26: What is the Resurrection? Gospels are vague—not easily understood in human terms—why?  Recognizable but not 1 Cor. 15  Written in response to gnostic influence in community  (vv. 1-12)—Resurrection is a real historical event  500 witnesses  Appeared not just seen (objective)  Paul’s own experience  (vv )—Basis for our hope  Proof of our own resurrection (order to God’s plan)  “first fruits” analogy  Christianity would be useless without Christ’s Resurrection  (vv )—Resurrected body (not reanimated corpse)  “seed” analogy  Not exact knowledge so qualities—incorruptible, honorable, powerful, & spiritual  Same person but new existence—no death, disease, temptation, or physical limits We should be farsighted travelers Mary Magdalene—sinner? but witness to the Resurrection

Article 27: The Significance of Christ’s Resurrection We can see in nature examples that man was created for eternal life The Resurrection confirms revealed truths  Jesus is the Son of God--Incarnation  Thomas the doubting Apostle  All Jesus’ teachings are true  God loves unconditionally, we too are fulfilled by loving God & others, forgiveness is more powerful than hate, rich must share with the poor, no prejudice The Resurrection opens the path to new life --death liberates but Resurrection opens  Justification in the Resurrection allows us to live & thrive in this world St. Melito of Sardis—2 nd century exegesis on Resurrection  Resurrection is Jesus’ triumph over death & invitation to us to participate Death brings new abundant life—“the grain of wheat that dies” Work of the Trinity—Jesus lays down, Father raises, by power of H.S.

You Tube Videos: Resurrection Resurrection Significance of the Resurrection Significance of the Resurrection

Homework Read AA in the e-book for discussion tomorrow Section 3, Part 2 review questions 3-6

Article 28: The Ascension Resurrection appearances span 40 days from Easter Sun. to Ascension  Taught Apostles (not disciples) to interpret SS in light of himself  Commanded them to continue his Mission; then left? 1 st the Descent into Hell (limbo?)—Holy Saturday  Scriptural basis is Eph. 4: 9-10  Symbolic that Jesus completely experienced death  Realm of the dead—Gk. Hades & Hb. Sheol = underworld/place of waiting  Righteous souls taken to heaven; unrighteous condemned to Hell (absence of God more than fire of cold) = extended to all future souls  Establishes Jesus’ power over all creation—heaven, hell, & earth—purgatory? Ascension is affirmed by the Nicene Creed—not in Jn or Mt; brief in Lk & Mk; fullest treatment is by Luke in Acts  Religious truth & scientific truth—ancient cosmology  After spending time with his followers, Jesus was reunited with his Father  More or less present now? Heaven more available now or before? Up/heights & down/lowlands in the Bible—why?

Article 29: The Significance of Christ’s Ascension Date varies according to Easter (how)—4o days after = Thurs. or Sun. Often overlooked as a solemnity of Jesus—hope to change here Incarnation & Ascension are symmetrical except for human nature!  Full authority over all of creation  Free of physical limits accepted while on earth  Worthy of all respect—Philippians 2:  All humanity has chance to spend eternity w/ God in heaven  Jesus’ resurrected & glorified body reveals the dignity & full potential of our human nature = tremendous hope  Paradoxically, Jesus is more present to us now than He was before  Ascension fulfills His promises to stay with us always (Mt. 28) & to send the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14)  The missions of the Son & the Holy Spirit are inseparably linked; Mary? How is Jesus present to us now?—St. Augustine’s understanding  Sacrament (esp. Eucharist), Word, liturgy, prayer, friends/family, service, …

You Tube Videos: The Descent, Ascension, & Significance Bp. Barron: The Ascension Of Jesus Bp. Barron: The Ascension Of Jesus An Ancient Homily on Holy Saturday--"The Descent of Christ into Hell/Hades" An Ancient Homily on Holy Saturday--"The Descent of Christ into Hell/Hades"

Homework Section 3, Part 2 review questions 7-8 Study for the Section 3, Part 2 quiz tomorrow (AA ) Make sure the Section 3, Part 2 review questions 1-8 are ready to turn in tomorrow