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MEDITATION of the day

Why We Rejoice That He Goes to the Father

The extent and greatness of the unutterable blessings the bounty of God has showered on us were long before, as the Apostle interprets, sung by the inspired David: Ascending on high, he led captivity captive: He gave gifts to men (Ps 68:19; Eph 4:8). He sent down the Holy Spirit, with whose power and plenitude he filled the multitude of the faithful then present, and so fulfilled that splendid promise: It is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you (Jn 16:7)….

A series of important advantages followed…. In the first place, the merit of our faith was considerably augmented, because faith has for its object those things which fall not under the senses…. If, therefore, the Lord had not departed from us, the merit of our faith would not be the same…. In the next place, believing that Christ, as man, ascended into heaven and placed our nature at the right hand of God the Father, we are animated with a strong hope that we, as members, shall also ascend to be there united to our Head, according to these words of our Lord himself: Father, I wish that where I am, they also may be with me (Jn 17:24). Another most important advantage is that he has taken our affections to heaven and inflamed them with the Spirit of God; for most truly has it been said that where our treasure is, there also is our heart…. Besides, he thus enlarged his household on earth, that is, his Church, which was to be governed by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. He left Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, as its chief pastor and supreme head. Moreover he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers (Eph 4:11). Thus seated at the right hand of the Father he continually bestows different gifts on different men; for as the Apostle testifies: Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift (Eph 4:7).

The Catechism of the Council of Trent

Also known as the Roman Catechism, this first catechism for the universal Church was published in 1566 by Pope Pius V. / From Catechism of the Council of Trent for Parish Priests, John A. McHugh, o.p., and Charles J. Callan, o.p., Trs. © 1982, TAN Books, Charlotte, NC (www.tanbooks.com). Used with permission.