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—definition Commonalities among the Gospels  Women first, then men  Not dead but alive  Mary Magdalene  Later appearances– not shock and fear but peace and continue mission Uniqueness of the Gospels-why but still real  Emmaus—Mk and Lk  Thomas—Jn  Peter on shore—Jn  Ascension—Mk and Lk  Paul—Acts Proof for the Resurrection  Historical validity of NT  Consistent belief of the Early Church  Empty tomb and martyrdom  Transformation of apsotles Historical vs. Meta-historical event?– as always, both and

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  Paul’s own experience  (vv )—basis for our hope  Proof of our own resurrection  “first fruits” analogy  Christianity would be useless without Christ’s Resurrection  (vv )—resurrected body  “seed” analogy  Not exact knowledge so qualities—incorruptible, honorable, powerful, and 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

Homework Read AA in the e-book for discussion tomorrow 3.2 HW; #1-4 (at the end of A. 29)

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 and 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 =  Justification in the Resurrection allows us to live and thrive in this world St. Melito of Sardis—2 nd century exegesis on Resurrection  Resurrection is Jesus’ triumph over death and 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.

Article 28: The Ascension Resurrection appearances span 40 days from Easter Sun. to Ascension  Taught Apostles (not disciples) to interpret Scripture in light of himself  Commanded them to continue his Mission  Then he left them, or did he? First, let’s look at his descent into hell—Holy Saturday  Scriptural basis is Eph. 4: 9-10  Symbolic that Jesus completely experienced death  Realm of the dead—Gk. Hades and 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 and Mk; fullest treatment is by Luke in Acts  Religious truth and 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 and 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 and 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 with God in heaven  Jesus’ resurrected and glorified body reveals the dignity and 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 and 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, …

Homework 3.2 HW; #5-8 (at the end of A. 29) Study for the 3.2 Quiz tomorrow (AA ) Make sure the 3.2 HW is ready to turn in tomorrow (#1-8 at the end of A. 29)