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1) It is said that "Christ sitteth on the right hand of
God,"[2436] and according to both natures.[2437] By
reason of His divine nature He is equal to the Father, and in His
human nature He excels all other creatures in the possession of divine
good things. And both claims befit only Christ.
2) Christ as God preserves all the blessed in being and in the
consummation of grace. He preserves the light of glory and unfailing
charity in them, and moves these powers to their respective acts.
Christ as man illumines the blessed, rules them, gives them joy in
accordance with the scriptural saying: "The Lord God Almighty is
the temple thereof [of the new city], and the Lamb. And the city
hath no need of the sun nor of the moon to shine in it; for the glory
of God hath enlightened it, and the Lamb is the lamp
thereof."[2438]
3) Christ glorious as man adores the Father, thanks and offers Him
His whole mystical body; and until the end of the world intercedes for
wayfarers. St. Paul says: "Christ, being come a high priest of
the good things to come,"[2439] concerning which St. Thomas
says: "He sits next to the Father to intercede for us. He likewise
sits there to help us."[2440]
Likewise the Church chants in the Mass: "It is truly worthy and
just... for us always and everywhere to thank Thee, O holy Lord,
omnipotent Father, eternal God, through Christ our Lord, through
whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the dominations adore Thy
majesty."[2441]
Likewise St. Augustine says[2442] that all the blessed thank
God through Christ for their predestination and for all its effects.
4) Christ glorious is adored by the blessed and He receives their
thanks inasmuch as He is the Savior of all. The Church addresses
Him in these words: "O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten
Son, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father... Thou
only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Thou only, O Jesus
Christ, together with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of
God the Father."[2443] St. John says: "I heard all
saying: To Him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb,
benediction and honor and glory and power, forever and
ever."[2444]
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