Does the Church hold that the ascension was a literal upward movement by Jesus?
When I was in graduate school for theology, it was common to hear the observation that if Jesus had gone into the sky 2,000 years ago and left Earth at the speed of light, He would still be within the Milky Way galaxy. This clever remark was meant to highlight that the “cosmology,” the understanding of the world, that the ancient world presumed, has been far surpassed by modern astronomy.
In ancient times, the world was understood to be made up of three main layers: the physical earth that we lived upon, with an underworld beneath it (generally the place for the dead), and above a “firmament” or barrier in the sky which separated our world from the spiritual world beyond it. Within this worldview, the act of ascending into the heavens would have a clear significance — the entry into the spiritual realm — but it was also intelligible as a physical transportation.
However, with our modern astronomical understanding of the nature of the physical universe (and even our modern theological understanding of God’s transcendence of our physical world), we cannot regard the transition to glory with God as a physical relocation. This does not mean that the disciples did not witness this transition, nor even that it would not have manifested in ways their minds could comprehend. I do not doubt that Jesus indeed rose into the sky that day as a means of communicating to His followers the spiritual meaning of what was occurring — not as a method of getting from one place to another.
The ascension affirms several important truths. First: Jesus, having risen from the dead, has conquered death forever and will never die again. Second, the incarnation is a permanent reality, with Jesus retaining His human nature even as He leaves His earthly life. Finally, Jesus’ destiny is to reign with God in glory. Jesus has fulfilled God’s will, and the Father is pleased by this and wishes to make it clear that He is the Messiah and our Savior.
It is worth reflecting on the meaning of the ascension not just for Jesus but also for the Church. For example, in John’s Gospel, Jesus remarks, “It is better for you that I go (to the Father). For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you” (John 16:7). While He walked on this earth, Jesus would necessarily remain the focus of attention and action. But in His wisdom, Jesus desired that His followers become the carriers of the Good News. To accomplish that, He stepped back so that they could step forward.
He did not abandon us, though. He empowered the Church by the gift of His Spirit. By the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, we ourselves become the Body of Christ on earth, and we are given the authority and power to continue His mission in our world!
Father Chris Schroeder is parochial administrator of Christ the King Parish in University City and St. Joseph Parish in Clayton.
