Section 3 GODS PLAN FOR SALVATION IS FULFILLED

Section 3: GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION IS FULFILLED

Section 3, Part 2 THE RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF JESUS

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

Homework �Read AA. 26 -27 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 � � � (vv. 20 -24)—Basis for our hope � � � 500 witnesses Appeared not just seen (objective) Paul’s own experience Proof of our own resurrection (order to God’s plan) “first fruits” analogy Christianity would be useless without Christ’s Resurrection (vv. 35 -58)—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 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 �Significance of the Resurrection

Homework �Read AA. 28 -29 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)— 4 o 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 � � All humanity has chance to spend eternity w/ God in heaven � Free of physical limits accepted while on earth Worthy of all respect—Philippians 2: 10 -11 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 �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. 25 -29) �Make sure the Section 3, Part 2 review questions 1 -8 are ready to turn in tomorrow