This article in a series on St. Thomas’ Catechetical Instructions explores in the Apostles’ Creed: “He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty.”
Concerning the Ascension, St. Thomas says we ought to observe three things: that it was sublime, reasonable and beneficial.
It is sublime in that He is “in heaven.” There is human nature and bodily flesh that resides in “heaven.”
By Jesus sitting at the right hand of God the Father, quoting St. John Damascene, he says, “By ‘the Father’s right hand’ we understand the glory and honor of divinity, where he who exists as Son of God before all ages, indeed as God, of one being with the Father, is seated bodily after he became incarnate, and his flesh was glorified.”
St. Thomas says it is in accord with reason. “Heaven was due to Christ by His very (divine) nature. It is natural for one to return to that place from where He takes his origin.” St. Thomas also says, “Heaven is due to Christ because of His victory. For He was sent into the world to combat the devil, and He did overcome him.”
Finally, St. Thomas says it was very beneficial for us. “This is seen three ways. Firstly, as our Leader, because He ascended to lead us; for we had lost the way, but He has shown it to us. (Quoting Micah 2:13) “For He shall go up that shall open the way before them,” and thus we may be made certain of possessing the heavenly kingdom: “I go to prepare a place for you (Jn 14:2).”
Second, that He might draw our hearts to Himself: “For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart so (Mt 6:21).” Third, to let us withdraw from worldly things: “Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth (Col 3:1).”
For me, the Ascension seems to be the least appreciated “part” of the Paschal Mystery (Christ’s work of redemption accomplished principally by his passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension). We have a season dedicated to his passion and death (Lent). Easter is “that most solemn of all feasts.” The Ascension has a feast day, but it is transferred to a Sunday in most dioceses.
Consider the Ascension marks a long number of “waypoints” that God has placed “in time” for the culmination of His plan, which is His desire that we become His adopted sons and daughters. Through Sacred Scripture, you can follow people through time how their faith response to God has had a direct impact on you and me.
Read John chapters 14-17 and in particular 16:4-15 with an eye toward when Jesus says, “If.” In this great (final) discourse recorded by St. John, Jesus speaks in plain absolute truths (as best as the apostles could understand at the time) as opposed to truths to be discovered as in parables.
In these chapters, He lays out what He must do … Go to the Father. He then tells them what He will do. This is absolutely critical. We often think God can do anything in any way. No.
God plans perfectly and does not have alternative courses of action. He doesn’t weigh in His mind, what happens if Jesus doesn’t ascend into heaven and remains on earth even though the apostles probably thought it a good idea that he stays.
“Play God” for a moment and ponder what if Jesus didn’t ascend. I think we would be beholden to the “eyes of sight” versus the “eyes of faith.” We all have a bit of “Missouri” (“show-me”) in us.
We love it when a plan comes together. The Ascension is a magnificent event that reveals the beauty (and intelligence) of God’s continuing plan for us.
Pentecost follows 40 days later. We are now nearing the “Endgame.” The only event left in God’s plan is the return of Jesus.
This is not “a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.” I highly recommend you listen (again) to The Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz. You will follow how God’s plan unfolds over time … how beautiful it is and that it is going to succeed despite Satan’s best effort. The best part? You are in it.