1. God’s Plan for Salvation is Fulfilled
Section 3:
God’s Plan for Salvation is Fulfilled

2. The Resurrection & Ascension of Jesus
Section 3, Part 2:
The Resurrection & Ascension of Jesus

3. Introduction
Continue looking at the heart of the Paschal Mystery (narrow)
Resurrection & Ascension (narrow) fulfills God’s plan of salvation (broad)
How is the Resurrection a basis of hope for our own?
What is Resurrection and meaning of?; What does it prove?; How do we know it happened?; What is a Resurrected body like?; What is Ascension?; Why did Jesus’ ascend after 40 days?; What is meaning of Ascension? …
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

4. 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 apostles
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 (9, 22, 26) and 7x in epistles
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

5. You Tube Videos: Resurrection
Fr. Barron: Resurrection
Pope Emeritus Benedict: The Resurrection is a Real Historical Event

6. Homework Read AA. 26-27 in the e-book for discussion tomorrow
Section 3, Part 2 review ?’s 1-2

7. 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

8. Article 27: The Significance of Christ’s Resurrection
We can see examples in nature 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—2nd 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.

9. You Tube Videos: Resurrection
Significance of the Resurrection

10. Homework Read AA. 28-29 in the e-book for discussion tomorrow
Section 3, Part 2 review questions 3-6

11. 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?
1st 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?

12. 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 the physical limits He accepted while on earth
Worthy of all respect—Philippians 2: 10-11
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, …

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

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