A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion/Sixth Article
The Sixth Article.
'He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.'
(See Short Hist, of Revealed Religion, 27.)
1. What is meant by 'He ascended into Heaven?
That Jesus Christ, by His own power, with soul and body, went up into Heaven. (Feast of the Ascension of our Lord.)
2. Did Christ ascend alone into Heaven?
No; He took also with Him into Heaven the souls of the just whom He had liberated from Limbo.
'Ascending on high, He led captivity captive' (Eph. iv. 8).
3. For what purpose did Christ ascend into Heaven?
1. To take possession of His glory as conqueror of death and hell (Phil. ii. 8-11). 2. To be our Mediator and Advocate with His Father (Hebr. ix. 24). 3. To send the Holy Ghost to His Disciples (John xvi. 7); and 4. To open Heaven, and to prepare a place for us also (John xiv. 2).
4. What means, 'Sitteth at the right hand of God'?
It means that Christ, as man also, is exalted above all created things, and participates in the power and glory of the Divine Majesty.
'He hath raised Him up from the dead, and set Him on His right hand in the heavenly places, above all principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And He hath subjected all things under His feet, and hath made Him Head over all the Church' (Eph. i. 20-22).
5. Is Christ, then, not present in all places?
As God He is everywhere; but as God-Man He is only in Heaven, and in the Holy Eucharist.
Application. Consider frequently, especially in your troubles and temptations, that we 'are pilgrims and strangers on the earth,' and that our true country is Heaven, whither Christ has gone to prepare a place for you also. 'Be therefore not wearied, fainting in your minds,' but 'look on Jesus, who endured the cross, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God' (Hebr. xi. 13, and xii. 2, 3).