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Chapter 13GenevaCat.1.13

I. Des articles de la foi — Le 12e dimanche

The Ascension of Christ

The catechism explains that Christ ascended to heaven because his earthly mission was complete.

75. M: Let's go on. He ascended into heaven.1 " Christ ascended into heaven. Minister: Did he ascend in such a way that he is no longer on earth? Catechumen: Yes.2 Because he finished everything the Father charged him to do, and everything required for our salvation, there was no longer any need for him to remain living in the world.3

The Benefits of the Ascension

Christ's ascension opens the way to heaven for believers and establishes his role as our heavenly intercessor.

The benefit of the Ascension in two points: 77. M: How does this Ascension benefit us? E: It provides a twofold benefit. For since Jesus Christ has entered heaven in our name, just as he had come down from there for us, he has given us entrance there and has assured us that the door is now open that was closed to us because of our sins (Romans 6:8–11). Second, he appears there before the face of the Father to be our intercessor and advocate (Hebrews 7:25).

Christ's Spiritual Presence

Though Christ is bodily in heaven, he remains present with his people through his divine power.

78. M: But when Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, did he withdraw so completely from the world that he is no longer with us? E: No. He said the opposite: that he will be with us until the end. 79. Minister: Does he remain with us in a bodily presence? Student: No. His body, which was taken up on high (Luke 24:51), is one thing, and his power, which is poured out everywhere (Acts 2:33), is another.✦✦4

Seated at the Right Hand of God

Christ's session at the right hand of the Father signifies his supreme authority and role as Head of the Church.

80. Minister: How do you understand that he is seated at the right hand of God his Father? Student: It means that he has received the lordship of heaven and earth, so that he may rule and govern all things (Matthew 28:18). Seated at the right hand.✦ M: But what do the right hand and this sitting mean, that are spoken of?5 Examiner: It’s a comparison drawn from earthly princes, who seat at their right hand those they appoint as lieutenants to govern in their name. 82. M: So you understand it as nothing more than what Saint Paul says: that he has been appointed Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15), exalted above every principality, and has received a Name above every name (Philippians 2:9). S: Yes.6

Read the original Latin

75. M : Poursuivons outre. E : « 11 est monté au ciel. »

Christ monté au ciel 76. M : Est-il monté en telle sorte qu'il ne soit plus en terre? E : Oui. Car, puisqu'il a fait tout ce qui lui était enjoint du Père et qui était requis à notre salut, il n'était plus métier qu'il conversât au monde.

Le profit de l'ascension en deux points 77. M : Que nous profite cette ascension? E : Le profit en est double. Car d'autant que Jésus-Christ est entré au ciel en notre nom, ainsi qu'il en était descendu pour nous, il nous y a donné entrée et nous a assurés que la porte est maintenant ouverte, laquelle nous était close pour nos péchés (Romains 6:8-11). Secondement, il apparaît là devant la face du Père pour être notre intercesseur et avocat (Hébreux 7:25).

78. M : Mais Jésus-Christ, montant au ciel, s'est-il tellement retiré du monde qu'il ne soit plus avec nous? E : Non. Car il a dit le contraire : c'est qu'il sera près de nous jusqu'à la fin.

79. M : Est-ce de présence corporelle qu'il demeure avec nous? E : Non. Car c'est autre chose de son corps qui a été élevé en haut (Luc 24:51), et de sa vertu laquelle est partout répandue (Actes 2:33).

80. M : Comment entends-tu qu'il est assis à la dextre de Dieu son Père? E : C'est qu'il a reçu la Seigneurie du ciel et de la terre, afin de régir et gouverner tout (Matthieu 28:18).

Être assis à la dextre 81. M : Mais que signifie la dextre et cette assiette, dont il est parlé? E : C'est une similitude tirée des princes terriens, qui font seoir à leur côté dextre ceux qu'ils ordonnent lieutenants pour gouverner en leur nom.

82. M : Tu n'entends donc sinon ce que dit saint Paul : c'est qu'il a été constitué Chef de l'Église (Éphésiens 1:22 ; 4:15), et exalté dessus toute principauté, et qu'il a reçu un Nom par-dessus tout nom (Philippiens 2:9). E : Voire.

Scripture echoes

  1. ↩Luke.24.51 — And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.
  2. ↩Acts.2.33 — Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear.
  3. ↩Ps.110.1 — The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool."

Notes

  1. 1 ↩Source reads « 11 est monté au ciel »; almost certainly a corruption of « Il est monté au ciel » (Apostles' Creed article on the Ascension). Translated from that intended reading.
  2. 2 ↩Source labels the pupil E (Écolier). Rendered C (Child) to match the usual English catechism dialogue pairing with M (Minister/Master).
  3. 3 ↩Old French «il n'était plus métier» = «there was no longer need/occasion»; «conversât au monde» means to dwell/live among people in the world, not merely to speak.
  4. 4 ↩French vertu here is the older sense of divine power/might (virtus), not moral virtue; rendered as power to match the Acts 2:33 sense of what is poured out.
  5. 5 ↩French assiette here is the older sense ‘seating / being seated,’ not modern ‘plate.’
  6. 6 ↩French E (Écolier/Enfant) rendered as S (Student) for the catechetical dialogue pair with M (Master); Voire is a firm affirmative, not a hedge.

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