"He descended into hell." Creed.
Cities of refuge they were called. According to ancient Jewish law certain towns enjoyed the right of asylum, that is, anyone who had accidentally slain another might find safety in one of these cities, and be protected from avengers. In the book of Deuteronomy, 19:2,7, we read of three such cities. Later three more were set apart.
This right of refuge was recognized under conditions carefully laid down by Jewish law. No refuge was offered to one who had treacherously and intentionally reddened his hands with blood. Protection was granted only to those who had unintentionally taken the life of another. The fugitive had to prove to the authorities of the sanctuary or the town that he had not planned the murder. Upon proving this he was permitted to remain in certain parts of the city. He could not return to his old home, nor could he buy his freedom with money. He was a virtual prisoner.
Today we would like to explain another City of Refuge, another asylum. In the Creed we pray: "Christ descended into hell." What do these words mean?"
Even though we are separated in time and thought from Good Friday, nevertheless the descent of Christ into hell is part of His triumph, and fits in with this Easter season of triumph. "At the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth." Philippians, 2:10. The earth bent its knee at the recent resurrection; heaven will bend its knee at the coming Ascension; in His descent into hell, the underworld bent its knee. Christ was to triumph in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
What does "hell" mean in this connection? Hell, we must know, is the name of four distinct places in the lower world:
1. Hell may mean the place of eternal torments, the dwelling of the devils and the damned.It is in this last sense that the Creed speaks of hell. When we pray, "He descended into hell," we mean that the soul of Christ, shining with joy and glory, as soon as He died, went down into that place where the souls of the just were waiting for the redemption. Jesus did not go to the hell of the damned; they will never see God; they have no comfort or hope. But He went to the dwelling of those people who had lived before the death of Christ, in order to set them free.
2. Hell sometimes means what we call purgatory, the place of purification of those who are to join God.
3. Hell also means the paradise of little children who die without baptism.
4. Lastly, hell means Limbo, the place of imprisonment and repose of the just who died before Christ.
Remember, not until Christ died were the gates of heaven opened.
Before the first Good Friday the souls of the just had to wait in a place called Limbo. They experienced no pain, but were buoyed up by the blessed hope of salvation. They even enjoyed peaceful repose. By going down to this part of hell, Jesus did not lessen His supreme power in any way, nor was it in any way a blemish on the splendor of His sanctity.
Others had gone down there as captives and prisoners; Jesus went down as Victor and Conqueror. They went down to await redemption; Christ went down as the Redeemer Himself. Look at Limbo for a moment. It was a place of rest, hope, and happiness, for the good souls who passed away before the price of redemption was paid. They did not enjoy the vision of God; that is for the blessed in heaven. They longed for God, knowing that someday they would surely see Him.
In that abode of waiting and hoping we see countless multitudes of every age and every country. We see all those who believed in God and tried to serve Him according to their lights. We see those who lived in hopes of the Messias. There we see Abel, the first of the human race to taste death, the figure and forerunner of Christ in His death. There we see Adam and Eve who for hundreds of years did penance for their sin of disobedience. There we see the saints of the Old Testament. There we see the patriarchs and prophets. There, too, we see, the saints of the New Law, St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist, and the good thief. All of them were eagerly awaiting the coming of the Messias. All of them were longing for the hour when Christ would come to set them free.
On that first Good Friday Christ came to claim them for His own. He came as a King, to announce that His kingdom reached even under the earth. He came as Priest, to bring salvation to those who believed in His coming. He came as Prophet, to foretell their redemption, and their immediate entrance into heaven.
There are many lessons in Christ's descent into hell. It helps us understand the extent of His power. It tells us of His limitless love; He died for all, and went to summon those who were waiting for Him.
We rejoice with the souls set free. We exult in the glory of the God-man. Well might we ask Christ, "Where art thou going?" as He begins His descent into hell. Exultingly He answers that He is going to open the gates of heaven to those who waited for Him thousands of years, and to those, like the good thief, who had waited but a few moments. For all these souls Limbo was truly a City of Refuge. Like prisoners they waited. May Christ, in whatever way He deems fit, come to each of us with His redemption and salvation. Amen.
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Adapted from Talks on the Creed
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1946)
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