Whether Christ's Body Ascended Above Every Spiritual Creature?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ's body did not ascend above
every spiritual creature. For no fitting comparison can be made
between things which have no common ratio. But place is not
predicated in the same ratio of bodies and of spiritual creatures, as
is evident from what was said in the First Part (Q. 8, A. 2, ad 1, 2;
Q. 52, A. 1). Therefore it seems that Christ's body cannot be said to
have ascended above every spiritual creature.
Obj. 2: Further, Augustine says (De Vera Relig. lv) that a spirit
always takes precedence over a body. But the higher place is due to
the higher things. Therefore it does not seem that Christ ascended
above every spiritual creature.
Obj. 3: Further, in every place a body exists, since there is no such
thing as a vacuum in nature. Therefore if no body obtains a higher
place than a spirit in the order of natural bodies, then there will
be no place above every spiritual creature. Consequently, Christ's
body could not ascend above every spiritual creature.
_On the contrary,_ It is written (Eph. 1:21): "God set Him above all
principality, and Power, and every name that is named, not only in
this world, but also in that which is to come."
_I answer that,_ The more exalted place is due to the nobler subject,
whether it be a place according to bodily contact, as regards bodies,
or whether it be by way of spiritual contact, as regards spiritual
substances; thus a heavenly place which is the highest of places is
becomingly due to spiritual substances, since they are highest in the
order of substances. But although Christ's body is beneath spiritual
substances, if we weigh the conditions of its corporeal nature,
nevertheless it surpasses all spiritual substances in dignity, when
we call to mind its dignity of union whereby it is united personally
with God. Consequently, owing to this very fittingness, a higher
place is due to it above every spiritual creature. Hence Gregory says
in a Homily on the Ascension (xxix in Evang.) that "He who had made
all things, was by His own power raised up above all things."
Reply Obj. 1: Although a place is differently attributed to corporeal
and spiritual substances, still in either case this remains in
common, that the higher place is assigned to the worthier.
Reply Obj. 2: This argument holds good of Christ's body according to
the conditions of its corporeal nature, but not according to its
formality of union.
Reply Obj. 3: This comparison may be considered either on the part of
the places; and thus there is no place so high as to exceed the
dignity of a spiritual substance: in this sense the objection runs.
Or it may be considered on the part of the dignity of the things to
which a place is attributed: and in this way it is due to the body of
Christ to be above spiritual creatures.
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