The Steps of Humility and Pride VIII: 22 51
The Steps of Humility and Pride VIII: 22
sisted, contributes something by his own efforts to unravel the problem or go step by step to the goal. He will say: "Not I, but the grace of God working in me."172 One who is carried up, he knows not where, by another's power, contributing not the slightest effort by his own strength to the action of his helper, has nothing of which to boast, either in whole or part. The Apostle could climb to the lowest and the middle heaven by the help and guidance given him, but to the third he had to be lifted up. We read that the Son came to help men to climb to the first heaven,173 the Holy Spirit was sent174 to guide them to the second, but we never read of the Father that he was sent or came to earth. We must, of course, bear in mind that he was working with the Son and the Holy Spirit in all these things. What we do read is: "The earth is filled with the mercy of the Lord;'"75 "The heavens and the earth are filled with your glory,"176 and much more to the same effect. I read about the Son: "When the fullness of time had come God sent his Son;"177 and the Son himself says: "The Spirit of the Lord has sent me;"178 and, "And now the Lord and his Spirit sent me," as we find in the same Prophet.179
About the Holy Spirit I read: "The Paraclete, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name;"180 and: "When I have been lifted up I will send him to you,"181 speaking of course about the Holy Spirit. The Father is everywhere in Person, but I never remember him to have been spoken of except as being in heaven, as in the Gospel: "My Father who is in heaven."182 and in the prayer: "Our Father who art in heaven.'"83
172. I Cor 15:10.
173. Eph 4:9f.
174. Jn 15:26.
175. Ps 32:5.
176. This is found in the acclamation which is sung at the conclusion of the preface of the canon of the mass. Cf. Is 6:3. Cf. also the sixth verse of the Te
Deum.
177. Gal 4:4.
178. Lk 4:18; Is 61:1.
179. Is 48:16.
180. Jn 14:26.
181. Jn 16:7.
182. Mt 16:17.
183. Mt 6:9.
The Steps of Humility and Pride VIII: 23
23. My conclusion from all this is that, because the Father did not come down, Paul could not climb up to the third heaven to have sight of him, but he does remember that he was rapt up there.184 There is, however, another about whom we can speak in a different fashion. "No man has gone up into heaven but the one who came down from heaven."185
It is not a question here of the first or second heaven for David expressly says to you: "His going forth is from the highest heavens."186 He was not suddenly snatched up, he was not secretly stolen away, but before the very eyes of the disciples, while they looked on he ascended.187 Elijah had only one witness.188 Paul had none since he can hardly be counted witness or judge of the event himself as his own words show: "I know not-God knows."189 But Christ, having all things in his own power, descended when he willed and ascended when he willed.190 He decided for himself the place and the time, the day and the hour, and gathered the witnesses he had himself chosen to see this great vision, and in their sight he ascended.191 Paul was rapt up, Elijah likewise, Enoch was transported.192 But our Redeemer, as we read, rose by his own power, receiving no help. He was carried by no chariot,193 assisted by no angel, but through his own power alone, "A cloud received him from their sight."194 It did not come to help him because he was tired, nor to speed his ascent because he was too slow, not to support him because he was in danger of falling. No! it came to hide him from the carnal eyes of his disciples. Hitherto they knew Christ according to the flesh but they would know him so no more.195 Those whom the 184. 2 Cor 12:2. Cf. Csi 5:3; OB 468f; CF 19.
185. Jn 3:13.
186. Ps 18:7.
187. Acts 1:9.
188. 2 Kings 2:1.
189. 2 Cor 12:2.
190. Cf. Augustine, Sermon ad catech. 8: Christ "was born when he willed and died when he willed."
191. Acts 1:9.
192. Gen 5:24; cf. Heb 11:5.
193. 2 Kings 2:11.
194. Acts 1:9. Cf. Asc 2:6; OB 5:130f; CF 25.
195. 2 Cor 5:16.