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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 FP, Question 8, Article 2, ad
1,2; FP, Question 52, Article 1. Therefore it seems that
Christ's body cannot be said to have ascended above every spiritual
creature.
Objection 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.
Objection 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 to Objection 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 to Objection 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 to Objection 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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