|
Objection 1: It would seem unfitting for Christ to have been
buried, because it is said of Him (Ps. 87:6): "He is become
as a man without help, free among the dead." But the bodies of the
dead are enclosed in a tomb; which seems contrary to liberty.
Therefore it does not seem fitting for Christ to have been buried.
Objection 2: Further, nothing should be done to Christ except it
was helpful to our salvation. But Christ's burial seems in no way to
be conducive to our salvation. Therefore, it was not fitting for Him
to be buried.
Objection 3: Further, it seems out of place for God who is above
the high heavens to be laid in the earth. But what befalls the dead
body of Christ is attributed to God by reason of the union.
Therefore it appears to be unbecoming for Christ to be buried.
On the contrary, our Lord said (Mt. 26:10) of the woman who
anointed Him: "She has wrought a good work upon Me," and then He
added (Mt. 26:12)---"for she, in pouring this ointment
upon My body, hath done it for My burial."
I answer that, It was fitting for Christ to be buried. First of
all, to establish the truth of His death; for no one is laid in the
grave unless there be certainty of death. Hence we read (Mk.
15:44,45), that Pilate by diligent inquiry assured himself of
Christ's death before granting leave for His burial. Secondly,
because by Christ's rising from the grave, to them who are in the
grave, hope is given of rising again through Him, according to Jn.
5:25,28: "All that are in their graves shall hear the voice of
the Son of God . . . and they that hear shall live." Thirdly,
as an example to them who dying spiritually to their sins are hidden
away "from the disturbance of men" (Ps. 30:21). Hence it is
said (Col. 3:3): "You are dead, and your life is hid with
Christ in God." Wherefore the baptized likewise who through
Christ's death die to sins, are as it were buried with Christ by
immersion, according to Rm. 6:4: "We are buried together with
Christ by baptism into death."
Reply to Objection 1: Though buried, Christ proved Himself
"free among the dead": since, although imprisoned in the tomb, He
could not be hindered from going forth by rising again.
Reply to Objection 2: As Christ's death wrought our salvation,
so likewise did His burial. Hence Jerome says (Super Marc.
xiv): "By Christ's burial we rise again"; and on Is.
53:9: "He shall give the ungodly for His burial," a gloss
says: "He shall give to God and the Father the Gentiles who were
without godliness, because He purchased them by His death and
burial."
Reply to Objection 3: As is said in a discourse made at the
Council of Ephesus [P. iii, cap. 9], "Nothing that saves man
is derogatory to God; showing Him to be not passible, but
merciful": and in another discourse of the same Council [P. iii,
cap. 10]: "God does not repute anything as an injury which is an
occasion of men's salvation. Thus thou shalt not deem God's Nature
to be so vile, as though It may sometimes be subjected to injuries."
|
|