A Year with the Angels - Young & Catholic Nigeria · DEDICATION Dedicated to Terry Fenwick, whose...

DEDICATION

DedicatedtoTerryFenwick,

whosedevotiontotheangelsinspiresme.

QuotationsfromScripturearefromtheRevisedStandardVersion(CatholicEdition),unlessthewriter’sargumentdependsonasignificantlydifferenttranslation,suchasthe

Septuagint.

©2011MikeAquilina

Allrightsreserved.Withtheexceptionofshortexcerptsusedinarticlesandcriticalreviews,nopartofthisworkmaybereproduced,transmitted,orstoredinanyform

whatsoever,printedorelectronic,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher.

ISBN:978-1-935302-52-0

BookdesignbyA.R.T.ServicesChristopherJ.PelicanoandAbbyM.Pelicano

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SaintBenedictPressCharlotte,NorthCarolina

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DEDICATION

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INTRODUCTION

HOWTOUSETHISBOOK

AYEARWITHTHEANGELSTheDailyReadingsDAY01:We’renottheonlyintelligentlife

DAY02:AllthingshavebeingthroughGod

DAY03:WeexistbecauseGodknowsus

DAY04:Thethreekindsofintelligence

DAY05:We’repartstone,partangel

DAY06:Sometruthsaboutangelsremainamystery

DAY07:Thecreationofangels

DAY08:HeavenlybeingsaswellweremadebytheWord

DAY09:Descriptionsofangelsarefigurative

DAY10:HowtheBibledescribesangels

DAY11:Theordersofangels

DAY12:Howmanykindsofangelsarethere?

DAY13:Myriadsofmyriads

DAY14:Theangelsearnedtheirrolesinthehierarchy

DAY15:AngelsareholybecauseoftheSpirit

DAY16:Ahierarchyofmerit—ordemerit

DAY17:AngelsareunchangeablebecausetheyloveGod

DAY18:AngelsderivetheirhonorfromworshipingGod

DAY19:Theangelsservefortheirownbenefit

DAY20:AngelsneverlosethevisionofGod

DAY21:ThearmiesofGod

DAY22:Whatangelsdo

DAY23:AngelsknowanddoGod’swillimmediately

DAY24:Liketheangels,butdifferent

DAY25:Angelsarespiritual,butstilllimited

DAY26:Angelsarelimited;theSpiritisnot

DAY27:AngelshaveknowledgethroughtheCreator

DAY28:Angelsareimmortalbygrace,notbynature

DAY29:Theangels’immortalitydependsuponGod’swill

DAY30:Immortallymortalandmortallyimmortal

DAY31:AngelsarekeptalivebyGod

DAY32:ThereisanorderinHeaven

DAY33:Whyahierarchy?

DAY34:ThehierarchyimitatesGod

DAY35:Theordersofangelsteachoneanother

DAY36:Eachorderinterpretstheorderabove

DAY37:Thehierarchyinyourmind

DAY38:Thebodyasamapoftheangels’minds

DAY39:EverythingisunderGod’scontrol

DAY40:“Lordofall”includestheangels

DAY41:AllcreationgivesthankstoGod

DAY42:Degreesofknowledge

DAY43:Sharingtheknowledgeoftheangels

DAY44:AngelsbringusthevisionofGod

DAY45:Angelsascounselors

DAY46:Spiritualbodies

DAY47:Wecan’tunderstandallthemysteriesofHeaven

DAY48:Keepspeculationinbounds

DAY49:Rememberyourweakness

DAY50:ThefaceofGodistheangels’Scripture

DAY51:TheSeraphimdeclaretheTrinity

DAY52:TheTrinityinthehymnoftheSeraphim

DAY53:TheSeraphimsurroundChristintheflesh

DAY54:Thriceholy,oneLord

DAY55:Praiseandbesilent

DAY56:ThevocalsilenceofGod

DAY57:AngelshidetheirfacesfromtheTriunemystery

DAY58:AngelsknowtheFatherthroughtheSon

DAY59:TheSonhastheunceasingpraiseofangels

DAY60:ToChristthroughChrist

DAY61:Evenangelscan’treallyseeGod

DAY62:Angelsconfesstheirignorance

DAY63:Evenangelsdon’tseetheessenceofGod

DAY64:“NoteventheangelsinHeaven”

DAY65:AngelsspeaktoGodinadmiration

DAY66:Godspeakstoangelsintheircontemplation

DAY67:Theinnerspeechofspiritualbeings

DAY68:WhendidGodmakeangels?

DAY69:ThemysteryoftheSeraphim

DAY70:Thesaintswilltaketheplaceofthefallenangels

DAY71:Lightanddarkness

DAY72:TherightandlefthandsofGod

DAY73:Dayandnight

DAY74:Godwasinchargeofcreation

DAY75:ReasontellsusGodisourRuler

DAY76:Whydidn’tGodpreventevil?

DAY77:Thedevilhasfreewill—andsohavewe

DAY78:Godgaveusandtheangelsfreewill

DAY79:Whenangelsspeak,Godspeaks

DAY80:ImitateAbraham’shospitality

DAY81:Entertainingangels

DAY82:MakeyourhouseChrist’shotel

DAY83:Howtotreatyourguests

DAY84:ThestrangecaseofSodom

DAY85:Anointingthestone

DAY86:Sleepwithyourheadonastone

DAY87:ChristatJacob’shead

DAY88:Angelsascendinganddescending

DAY89:Christaboveandbelow

DAY90:Sleephumblyanddreamofangels

DAY91:Angelscometothevirtuous

DAY92:ThemodestyofDaniel

DAY93:JerusalemandBabylon

DAY94:Theylistenedtoangels;welistentotheSon

DAY95:Christistheteacher

DAY96:EverythingcomesfromtheGood

DAY97:Satanwascreatedgood

DAY98:Demonsarenotevilbynature

DAY99:Evilexistsonlyinthegood

DAY100:Angelshavenocreativepower

DAY101:AngelsknowthetruthbecausetheyloveGod

DAY102:Covetousnessmadeanarchangelthedevil

DAY103:Satanfell,andwefollowed

DAY104:Nothurtinganyonebuthimself

DAY105:Satanismoreguiltythanweare

DAY106:Weareforgivenbecauseoftheflesh

DAY107:Wedon’tdeserveGod’smercy

DAY108:Godshowedmercytoourweakness

DAY109:EvenangelsaredarknesswithoutGod

DAY110:Angelsandhumanshavefreewill

DAY111:Liketheangels,wehavefreewill

DAY112:Ourfreedomisdifferentfromtheangels’

DAY113:It’sgoodtobehuman

DAY114:BetteraprisonerforChristthananangel

DAY115:SatanpresentshimselfbeforetheLord

DAY116:Whencehaveyoucome?

DAY117:SatandoesnotseeGod

DAY118:God’slighttakesinthedarkness

DAY119:Wrathagainstthedevilismercyonsinners

DAY120:TheworldbelongstoChrist,notSatan

DAY121:EvenSatan’ssinaccomplishedGod’swill

DAY122:Thedevil’spowertohurtcomesfromGod

DAY123:EventheevilangelsareGod’sinstruments

DAY124:Demonsareweaponsagainstthedevil

DAY125:EvenmagiccomesfromGod’swill

DAY126:ThewillofGodisthecauseofeverything

DAY127:PursuedbytheangeloftheLord

DAY128:Angelsareavengingpowers

DAY129:Beingpunishedisnotanevil

DAY130:Angelshatechastisingus

DAY131:Don’tlisteneventoanangelpreachingheresy

DAY132:Angelsareboundtothegospel

DAY133:Helpingahereticescapefalseangels

DAY134:Judgethemessage,notthemessenger

DAY135:Keepthecreedallyourlife

DAY136:Letfalsehopeperish

DAY137:AgainstPrincipalitiesandPowers

DAY138:Angelsdon’tstandbetweenusandChrist

DAY139:Lord,whoislikeyou?

DAY140:Givingthedevilhisdue

DAY141:LearntorecognizeSatanindisguise

DAY142:Angelsdon’twantourworship

DAY143:AngelswantustoworshipGod,notthem

DAY144:WorshipGod,notangels

DAY145:Don’tbesurprisedbydemons’tricks

DAY146:Demonscan’treallygiveusprosperity

DAY147:Letthemlaugh

DAY148:Worshipingidolsisworshipingdemons

DAY149:Angelswantustobeimmortalandhappy

DAY150:Satantakesonallshapes

DAY151:Makenosacrificestoangels

DAY152:Onlydevilsreceivesacrifices

DAY153:Howtoearntheangels’help

DAY154:AreChristiansatheists?

DAY155:SatandoesnotcontroltheEarth

DAY156:Actlikeademon,becomeademon

DAY157:Pridemakesyouthinkyou’reanangel

DAY158:Strengthinweakness

DAY159:SinnersareSatan’sgraves

DAY160:Angelssuggest,butwechoose

DAY161:Don’tblamethedevilforyoursin

DAY162:TheOldandNewTestamentsagree

DAY163:Angelswillproclaimthegospeltotheend

DAY164:Christwasmademan,notangel

DAY165:Godpassedtheangelstobecomeoneofus

DAY166:Theangelsareevangelists,too

DAY167:Theangelslearnedthegospelalongwithus

DAY168:AngelssawtheSonwhenwedid

DAY169:Maryalonesawthegloryofthearchangel

DAY170:UndoingEve’sdamage

DAY171:WeaddourpraisetoGabriel’s

DAY172:TheperplexityofGabriel

DAY173:Hail,Ofavoredone

DAY174:WhydidtheangelwaittotellJoseph?

DAY175:Praisedbyangels,borninpoverty

DAY176:AngelswerethefirsttopreachChrist

DAY177:Thebestnewsever

DAY178:Christgivesusthepeaceoftheangels

DAY179:Alittlechild,Commanderofangels

DAY180:TheLordofhostsiswithus

DAY181:AngelsjoinusinChristmaspraise

DAY182:“Increasedinwisdomandstature”

DAY183:“Angel”washisjob,nothisnature

DAY184:ThethreefoldtemptationofChrist

DAY185:Athishumblest,Christwasservedbyangels

DAY186:DemonsrecognizeChristbutdon’tknowhim

DAY187:Christwasmadelessthantheangels

DAY188:Godleadsuspasttheangelstohimself

DAY189:Lowerthantheangels,butservedbythem

DAY190:EvenJesusreliedontheangels

DAY191:Ninety-nineangelsandonelostsheep

DAY192:Isitanangel?Judgebyitsfruits

DAY193:Whoisthevinedresser?

DAY194:TheCrossbringsustogetherwiththeangels

DAY195:AngelsgloryintheCross

DAY196:Redeemedfromthedevilandhisangels

DAY197:Noangelwasworthy

DAY198:Angelscouldnotsetusfree

DAY199:TheangelswonderedattherisenChrist

DAY200:TheResurrectionamazedeventheangels

DAY201:AngelsproclaimtheResurrection

DAY202:WhoistheKingofglory?

DAY203:TheangelsannouncetheAscension

DAY204:Angelsannouncedthefirstandsecondcoming

DAY205:Angelscan’tunderstandthemysteriesofsalvation

DAY206:Aglorioussubjection

DAY207:Onlythetruthcanconquer

DAY208:AngelssawChristintheflesh

DAY209:Aprayerforhelpfromtheangels

DAY210:Knowyourangels

DAY211:We’resurroundedbyprotectionwecan’tsee

DAY212:Martyrslikealegionofangels

DAY213:Everyonehasaguardianangel

DAY214:Whendowegetguardianangels?

DAY215:Angelsguidetheunbornchild

DAY216:Onlythevirtuousearnangelguides

DAY217:Angelshearourprayers

DAY218:Whenangelshearus,Godhearsusinthem

DAY219:Angelsvisitwhenyou’realone

DAY220:Insolitude,butnotalone

DAY221:TheLordalwaysdelivers

DAY222:Godactsintheangels

DAY223:Remembertheangelsthatsurroundyou

DAY224:WhoeverisholypushesusontoGod

DAY225:Angelshelptheholy

DAY226:Encounterswithangels

DAY227:“Bythissymbol,conquer”

DAY228:TrustChrist,andtheangelswilldefendyou

DAY229:Trustingintheangels

DAY230:Anarmyofangels

DAY231:SimeonthePole-Sitter,anangelonearth

DAY232:Thekeysofheaven

DAY233:Friendshipwithangelsisuselesswithoutcharity

DAY234:Angelsourfellowservants

DAY235:TheangeloftheLorddrivinguson

DAY236:Sicknessmaybeyourangelintheway

DAY237:Noonecanhurtyou

DAY238:Sufferalittlewhile,bewithangelsforever

DAY239:Gooddeedsarelikeangelsprotectingus

DAY240:Goodpeopleareworthmorethanbadangels

DAY241:Friendshipmakesangelsrejoiceandlullsdemons

DAY242:Showtheworldhowangelslive

DAY243:Unlikeangels,sometimeswe’rewrong

DAY244:Tasteandsee

DAY245:Wedigourownditch

DAY246:Theyieldiswhatcounts

DAY247:Repentancemakesanewperson

DAY248:Missingtheangels

DAY249:Believetheangelsifnothingelse

DAY250:Comebackandmaketheangelsglad

DAY251:Evenangelscan’ttakeawayyoursin

DAY252:Aglimpseofthechambersofthesouth

DAY253:Longforlifewiththeangels

DAY254:Frombeasttoangel

DAY255:ServeGodastheangelsdo

DAY256:Wecanbeangels

DAY257:Praytolivelikeanangel

DAY258:Asktobelikeanangel

DAY259:Lovemakesusangels

DAY260:Virtuemakesangels

DAY261:Wecanbealmostangels—ifwewant

DAY262:Likeangelsonearth

DAY263:RejoiceinGod’spower,notyourown

DAY264:“Thywillbedone”

DAY265:PeacecomesfrombeingregulatedbyGod

DAY266:Watchingforthevision

DAY267:Povertyisthelifeoftheangels

DAY268:Leavegreedbehindtobeequaltotheangels

DAY269:Theangelicvirtueofdetachment

DAY270:Fastingmakesusangels—butprayercomesfirst

DAY271:Angelsappearwhenyouwinnowthewheat

DAY272:Livingliketheangels

DAY273:Choosinganangel’slife

DAY274:Virginityistomarriageasangelistohuman

DAY275:Livingtheresurrectedlifenow

DAY276:Virginityisheavenonearth

DAY277:Keeptothestraightandnarrow

DAY278:Beanangelinadversity

DAY279:Investinthepoor

DAY280:Maketheangelsrejoice

DAY281:Livinganangel’slifeonearth

DAY282:Livelikeanangelnowtolivelikeanangellater

DAY283:Theserviceofangels

DAY284:Thepeaceoftheangels

DAY285:Aleaderpraisedfortoleration

DAY286:Christsetstheexampleoftoleration

DAY287:Traintowintheangelicwreath

DAY288:Eyessuchasangelsseewith

DAY289:Contemplationshoulddirectaction

DAY290:Equaltoangels

DAY291:Equaltoangels—butnotidentical

DAY292:Werestoretheranksoftheangels

DAY293:Knowlove,knowGod

DAY294:Theknowledgeevenangelscan’tteach

DAY295:Weweremeanttolivelikeangels

DAY296:WeweremadetoglorifyGodonearth

DAY297:Leteveryoneseethatyou’reacitizenofheaven

DAY298:SecretwisdomofGod

DAY299:Joinyourheartwiththeangels

DAY300:Worklikeanangel

DAY301:Imitatingthehymnsofangels

DAY302:Theholytemple,belowandabove

DAY303:Anticipatetheangels’work

DAY304:Theincorruptiblerichesoftheangels

DAY305:Flyinghome

DAY306:Broughtneartheholyangels

DAY307:HearthemusicoftheendlessholidayinHeaven

DAY308:Christalonecangivedivinepowertous

DAY309:Angelsrejoicedatourbaptism

DAY310:Givinguslifefordeath

DAY311:WhatreallyhappensatMass

DAY312:TheEucharististheangels’food

DAY313:We’refedwithwhatangelstrembletosee

DAY314:TheWordofGodfeedstheangels

DAY315:FiretoeatandSpirittodrink

DAY316:WeshareinthepraiseoftheSeraphim

DAY317:Theangels’holiday

DAY318:Rememberwhereyouare,andmindyourmanners!

DAY319:Christbecamemansowecouldfeastwithangels

DAY320:FeastlikeMoses,fastlikeDaniel

DAY321:Givethanksforthefoodoftheangels

DAY322:ThecompanyofHeaveniswithusonEarth.

DAY323:Angelicharporearthlylyre?

DAY324:Sailingintoport

DAY325:Guidedintoeternity

DAY326:Carriedtoheavenbyangels

DAY327:CarriedbyangelstoAbraham’sbosom

DAY328:Tobewiththeangels

DAY329:Angelsarewaitingforus

DAY330:Angelsrejoiceatanewarrival

DAY331:Shininglikethesun

DAY332:TrustinGod’sjustice

DAY333:Angelsdon’taskaboutyourincome

DAY334:Ourredemptionbenefitstheangelsaswell

DAY335:Likeangels,butnotexactlylike

DAY336:Aneternalbodyforminglingwiththeangels

DAY337:WilltherebefoodinHeaven?

DAY338:Treatedlikeanangel

DAY339:Waitfortheangelstosortusout

DAY340:Animageoftheheavenlycity

DAY341:Christwillcomesurroundedbyangels

DAY342:AcknowledgeChrist;theangelswillpraiseyou

DAY343:Nightandday

DAY344:OneChurchinHeavenandonEarth

DAY345:TheChurchabove

DAY346:Thesaintsjudgewiththeangels

DAY347:Someoutsidersareonourside

DAY348:TheangelsholdthekeystoSatan’sprison

DAY349:Evilangelsawaitthelastjudgment

DAY350:Evenangelswillbecondemnedforunbelief

DAY351:TheangelssingpraisesbythepoweroftheSpirit

DAY352:Imaginethebeautyofcountlessangels

DAY353:Rememberthatyousingintheangelicchoir

DAY354:Don’tdrownouttheangelchoir

DAY355:Keeptheprayeroftheangelsinyourheart

DAY356:Peacewhichpassesangels’understanding

DAY357:Yoursoulisapictureoftheangeliclife

DAY358:Arewethereyet?

DAY359:We’llseewhattheangelssee

DAY360:LoveGodforhimself

DAY361:Godaloneisgoodbynature

DAY362:Angelsasoxen

DAY363:DelightinGodalone

DAY364:Thepraiseoftheangels

DAY365:Witnessestoangels

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

SAINTBENEDICTPRESS

TANBOOKS

Introduction

Christiansbelieveinangels.Thatgoeswithoutsaying.FromthefirstpagesoftheOldTestamenttothelastpagesoftheNew,Godspeaksofthesemysteriousbeings.Theyappear asmighty creatures, pure spirits, guarding the gates of paradise, offering purestworship, guiding and protectingGod’s people.WhenGod delivers the law, he does sothrough theministry of angels.When he delivers his people in battle, it is through theinterventionofanangelichost.

TheScripturesspeakalsooffallenangels,whousetheirphenomenalpowertotempthumanbeingsandthwartoursalvation.

Angelsappearateverymomentinthestorylineofhumanhistory.St.PaulexplainsthatintheOldTestament,theyactasglorifiedbabysitters—“guardiansandtrustees”(Gal.4:1-3)—tryingtheirbesttokeepanunrulypeopleinline.Whentheyappeartothehumansenses,theirformisterrifying.Whenpeopleseeanangel,theirimmediateresponseistofallonthegroundinfearandawe(Num.22:31).

IntheNewTestament,however,therelationshipchanges.IntheopeningchaptersoftheGospelsofMatthewandLuke,wefindangelsattendingahumanbirth.WeevenseeanarchangelpayinghomagetoapeasantwomanofNazareth,hailingheras“fullofgrace.”

Angelsappearoftenin theNewTestament,butnowas theservantsofJesusChrist,who is trueGod and trueman.Moreover, they appear as servants of thosewho are inChrist,thosewhohavebeen“changedintohislikeness”(2Cor.3:18)andhavecometoshareinhisriches(2Cor.8:9).AschildrenofGod,wearenowheirsofGodand“fellowheirswithChrist”(Rom.8:17).IneveryChristian,angelsservethedivinizedhumanityofJesusChrist.

Thefirstgenerationlivedwithanintenseawarenessofthepresenceoftheangels.IntheActsoftheApostles,Rhoda’scompanionswouldhavebeenfarlesssurprisedbytheapparitionofanangelthantheywerebythesuddenappearanceofSt.Peter(Acts12:11).

Thisdoesnotmeanthattheangelsareanylesspowerfulinrelationtous.Nordoesitmean they are any less awe-inspiring. In the Book of Revelation, when St. Johnencountersanangel,his instinct is tofalldownandworship(Rev.22:8f).But theangelliftshimuptostandashisfellow.

This iswhatChristhasaccomplished: theholycommunionofheavenandearth,allunited in him, all united in worship. Thus, when we go to Mass, we are constantlyinvokingtheangels,becausetheyarepresentwithus,andwesingtheirsongswiththem.The“Gloria” is thesong they raisedat thebirthof Jesus (Luke2:14).The“Sanctus” iswhattheysingatheaven’sthrone(Rev.4:8).

Weshouldnotceasetomarvelthattheangelsarenowour“fellows.”Weshouldnotletthistruthgrowoldorgrowcoldforus.

Considerthefactthatyouhaveaguardianangel.Jesusassuredusthateachofushas

one,fromourearliestdays(Matt.18:10).

Consider that God has made this person exclusively for your care. Your guardianangelissmarterthanathousandEinsteins,andstrongerthananyarmyonearth.AndGodcreatedhimtoserveyou!

Whatdifferencedoesthatmakeinyourlife?Whatdifferenceshoulditmake?

Ifahumanrelativeorbenefactorgaveyouasportscar,orahalf-milliondollars,oryourdreamhome,youwouldfindfrequentandcreativeways toexpressyourgratitude.HowoftendoyouthankGodfortheextraordinarygiftofyourguardianangel?

Andhowoftendowethankourangelsfortheircare?Remember:angelsarepersons.To ignore them, after all they do for us, is at least rude, but also daft.Whywouldwechoosenottoenterintoaclosefriendshipand“workingrelationship”withthesecreatureswhoaredeartoGodandfarclosertousthanournearestkin?

What sets toomany Christians today apart from their ancestors in the faith is ourneglect of devotion to the angels. For the early Christians, this was a lively devotion.Thus, for this book I have selected three hundred and sixty-five meditations from thewritingsoftheearlyFathersoftheChurch.Someofitisadmittedlyspeculative—andtheFatherswere the first toacknowledge that therewere some thingsabout theangels thattheycouldn’tknow.Butmostofitisplaintruth,learnedfromScriptureandtaughtbytheChurch.And it’sallclassicChristianity.Assuch, itdemandsourattentionandcriesoutforourimitation.

I believe the angels are the great neglected intermediaries in human relationships.How much stronger our families would be—our neighborhoods would be—ourfriendships would be—our workplace would be—our society would be—if only we,habituallyandsilently,calleduponthehelpoftheguardianangelsofthepeoplewhoarewithusinthecourseofaday.

Inthecomingyear, let’sdrawcloser toourangels, throughprayerandstudy,aswemeettheminthefollowingpages,andaswemeetthemwhereverwego.

HowtoUsethisBook

I recommend that you set aside a time each daywhen you can read one of themeditationsprayerfully.

Beginwithprayer.ThetraditionalprayerstotheHolySpiritareidealforthispurpose.Thesimpleaspiration“Come,HolySpirit”willdo.

Then read the brief meditation slowly and make the considerations suggested (orthinkupyourown).TrytorefereverythingtoOurLord;beawareofhispresence.Whenyouneedhelpdoingthis,trycallinguponthehelpofthoseFatherswhoarecanonizedassaints.

Youmaycloseeachday’sreadingwiththeprayerprovided.MostoftheseprayersareadaptedfromtheChurch’sancientliturgies.

ANoteontheTexts

Themeditations are taken fromclassic translations of theFathers. I’vemodernizedthe language to make it more readable, referring back to the original languages whennecessary.Becauserhetoricalstyleshavechangedradicallyoverthecenturies,sometimesI’vereducedverylongcomplexsentencestotwoormoresimplesentences.(InthecaseofDionysiustheAreopagite,Ihavehadtodomoreextensivecondensationandelucidation.Hisworksaredifficult.Ihavetakenpains,however,topreservetheoriginalsenseofhispassages.)Sincethepage-a-dayformatplacesstrictdemandsonspace,insomeinstancesI’veabridgedpassagesforlength.

Idoencourageyoutovisittheoriginaltexts—andnotjustforDionysius,butforalltheancientauthors—wheneveryoucan.Mostofthebooksareinprint;andyoucanfindalmost all of them online. The best places to begin are tertullian.org/fathers andnewadvent.org/fathers.

http://tertullian.org/fathers

http://newadvent.org/fathers

AYEARWITHTHEANGELS

TheDailyReadings

We’renottheonlyintelligentlife

Wetendtoplacehumanityratherproudlyatthetopofallcreation.TheFathershadamoremodestandmorerealisticview.Yes,manisintelligent,butwe’renottheonlyintelligence. There are beings above us as well as beings below us. Only God isunique.

TheSon,therefore,istheonlyandtrueGod,forthisalsoisassignedtotheSonashissoleright.

Itcannotaccuratelybesaidofanycreatedbeingthatheisalone.Howcananyoneoranything that has fellowship in creation be separated from the rest, as though it werealone?

Thusweseethatmanisarationalbeingamongallearthlycreatures;yetheisnottheonly rational being.Forweknow that theheavenlyworksofGod also are rational;weconfess that angels and archangels are rational beings. So if the angels are rational,wecannotsaythatmanistheonlyrationalbeing.

–St.Ambrose,ExpositionoftheChristianFaith,5.2

INGOD’SPRESENCE,CONSIDER…

DoIrecognizethatIamnotaloneintheuniverse?Realextraterrestrials,theguardianangels,areheretohelpme.

CLOSINGPRAYER

MyGuardianAngel,helpmebeobedienttoyourinspirations,andprotectandguidemeuntilyouhavebroughtmesafetoHeaven.

AllthingshavebeingthroughGod

St.Augustinepresentsahierarchyoflivingbeings,fromplantsthroughangels,andshowsushowallthosethings,nomatterhownobleorcomplex,canonlyhavetheirbeing throughGod. Indoingsohe incidentallygivesusagooddescriptionofhowangelscomparewithotherlivingbeings.

Whateverwe’rethinkingof—whetherit’sthewholeworld,itsshape,qualities,andorderlymovement,andalltheobjectsinit;orwhetherit’salllife,eitherthekindthatonlynourishes and maintains, as trees do; or what, besides this, has also sensation, as theanimalshave;orwhataddsintelligencetoall thesethings,ashumanbeingsdo;orwhatdoesnotneedthesupportoffood,butonlymaintains,feels,andunderstands,astheangelsdo—allthesethingscanonlybethroughGod,whoabsolutelyis.

ForGoditisnotonethingtobe,andanothertolive,asthoughhecouldbebutnotbeliving.Noris itonethingforhimtolive,andanotherthingtounderstand,asthoughhecouldlive,butnotunderstand.Norisitonethingforhimtounderstand,andanotherthingtobeblessed,asthoughhecouldunderstandandnotbeblessed.Butforhim,tolive,tounderstand,tobeblessed,aretobe.

–St.Augustine,CityofGod,8.6


Godgivesme the sameconstant carehegives thegloriousangels—all the things Ineed to keepme alive frommoment tomoment.Am I careful to give thanks for thosethingsateveryopportunity?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HeavenlyFather,ineveryplacemayIshowrespecttoyourAngel.MayIbegratefulforhisbenefits.MayIhonorhisgreatness.

WeexistbecauseGodknowsus

Godhasangelmessengers,saysSt.Augustine,buttheydonotbringhiminformationhedoes not already know. Instead, they learn the truth about their own lives fromGod.Allofus—humansandangels—existonlybecauseGodknowsus.

DoubtlessGodhasmessengers,namelytheangels—butnottobringhimnewsofthingshedoesnotknowabout,sincethereisnothinghedoesnotknow.Buttheirgoodliesinlookingintothetruthabouttheirownworks.

Thisiswhatitmeanswhenitissaidthattheybringhimwordofsomethings.Itisnotthat he learns from them, but they learn from him, by hisword,without bodily sound.Theyalsobringhimwordofwhathewills, since theyaresentbyhimtowhomeverhewills,andtheyheareverythingbyhisword—thatistosay,theyfindinhistruthwhattheyarethemselvesmeanttodo,whatwordtheyaretobring,towhomtheyaretobringit,andwhen.

AndwealsopraytoGod,butwedonotinformhimofwhatourneedsare:“foryourFatherknowswhatyouneedbeforeyouaskhim,”sayshisWord(Matt.6:8).Hedidnotbecome aware of them at some particular time. He knew beforehand, without anybeginning,everythingthatwouldhappenintime.Andamongthosethingsheknewwhatwewouldaskofhim,andwhenwewouldaskit.Andheknewtowhomhewouldlistenornotlisten,andonwhatsubjects.

Asforallhiscreatures—bothspiritualandbodily—hedoesnotknowthembecausetheyexist.Rather,theyexistbecauseheknowsthem.

–St.Augustine,OntheTrinity,15.13


TheangelsknowGodbylookingintothetruth.DoIsearchenoughinGod’sWordtofindoutthetruthaboutwhatI’mmeanttodo?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,Idonothavethegloriouspowerofyourangels.ButyoucanovercomemyweaknatureandmakemeworthytobedelightedwiththesweetnessofyourdivineScriptures.

Thethreekindsofintelligence

St. Gregory of Nyssa remembers the opinions of his sister, St. Macrina, whom healways calls“theTeacher,”ona famouspassage inPhilippians. She interpretsSt.Paulasreferringtothethreekindsofintelligentbeings,allofwhichwilleventuallypraiseChrist.

ThereforeGod has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the namewhich isaboveeveryname, that at thenameof Jesuseveryknee shouldbow, inHeavenandonEarthandundertheEarth(Phil.2:9-10).

Idonotthink(shereplied)thatthedivineApostledividedtheintellectualworldintoplaceswhenhenamedpartasinHeaven,partasonEarth,andpartasundertheEarth.

There are three states inwhich reasoning creatures can be: one from the very firstreceivedanimmateriallife,andwecallittheangelic;anotherisinunionwiththeflesh,andwecallitthehuman;athirdisreleasedbydeathfromfleshlyentanglements,andistobefoundinsoulspureandsimple.

NowIthinkthatthiswaswhatthedivineApostle,inhisdeepwisdom,wasthinkingof when he revealed the future concord of all these reasoning beings in the work ofgoodness; and that he puts the bodiless angel-world in Heaven, and the world stillinvolvedwithabodyonearth,andtheworldreleasedfromabodyundertheearth.

–St.GregoryofNyssa,OntheSoulandtheResurrection


Since we are human, we are composed of body and soul. When our flesh issubordinatedtoourspirit,asGodintended,wecanlivewiththehappinessenjoyedbytheheavenlyspirits,theangels,evennow.

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpmetobepurifiedfromallpollutionoffleshandspirit,andfromeveryshamefulandfoolishthought.

We’repartstone,partangel

Ahumanbeing,saysSt.GregorytheGreat,isinawayarepresentationofthewholeuniverse.WehavesomethingincommonwitheverythingGodcreated,fromrockstoangels.

Everythingthatexistsfallsintooneoftheseclasses:

1.Itexists,butdoesnotlive.

2.Itexistsandlives,butdoesnotfeel.

3.Itexistsandlivesandfeels,butdoesnotunderstandorchoose.

4.Itexistsandlivesandfeelsandunderstandsandchooses.

Stonesexist,buttheydonotlive.

Treesbothexistandlive,butdonotfeel:wecallthegreenerythe“life”ofplantsandtrees,asPauldeclares:“Youfoolishman!Whatyousowdoesnotcometolifeunlessitdies”(1Cor.15:36).

Animalsexistandliveandfeel,buttheydonotunderstand.

Angelsexistandliveandfeel,andtheyhaveknowledgebyunderstanding.

Butwehaveitincommonwithstonestoexist,withtreestolive,withanimalstofeel,withangelstounderstand.Soahumanbeingisrightlycalleda“universe,”becauseinawaythewholeuniverseiscontainedwithinus.

–St.GregorytheGreat,MoraliainJob,6.20


If Ihave something incommonwitheverything in theworldaroundme—even theangels—doesn’tthatgivemetheresponsibilitytotakecareofthatworld?HowwellamItakingcareofmyownlittlecornerofit—myfamilyandfriends,forexample?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian angels of all people and nations, you are ceaselessly vigilant, everwatching. Teach me to be diligent for the good of whatever in creation is under myprotection.

Sometruthsaboutangelsremainamystery

St.Augustineaddressesthequestionofwhetherangelsappeartohumansbytakingonmaterialbodies,orbymanipulatingtheirownspiritualessences.Butheaddressesitonlytodismissit.Somethingscannotbeknownwithcertainty,andthespeculationmightdistractusfromsomethingmoreimportant.

ButIadmitthatitwouldbebeyondmypurposeheretoaskthesequestions.Itmaybethat theangels,workinginsecretbythespiritualqualitystill in theirbodies, takeonsomethingfromthelowerandmorebodilyelements,andfit themtothemselves,sothattheycan change it like clothes intowhateverbodily shape they like. In that case, thoseappearanceswouldbereal,inthesamewaythatrealwaterwaschangedintorealwinebyourLord.Ontheotherhand,itmaybethattheytransformtheirownbodiesintowhateverthey like, to fit themselves to their particularwork. But it does notmatter in this casewhichoneistrue.

Asaman,Icannotunderstandthesethingsbyactualexperienceinthesamewaythattheangelsdowhentheydothem.TheyknowthesethingsbetterthanIdo.Idoknowhowmyownbodychangesbytheworkingofmywill,bothbymyownexperienceandbytheexperiences I have gathered from others. But there is no need to decide which of thealternativesIshouldbelieveontheauthorityofHolyScripture.Idonotwishtobeforcedtoproveit,andmakealongdigressionfromourcurrentquestion.



Do I tend to get bogged down in detailswhen I try to learn about angels or otherChristiantruth?HowdoIdecidewhat’sreallyimportant?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel, I know that Idonotperfectlyunderstandyournature;butalwaysremindmetoputloveofGodfirst,beforemyowncuriosity.

Thecreationofangels

Genesisdoesn’t tell us explicitlywhen theangelswere created, saysSt.Augustine,butweknowthattheywerecreatedfromotherpassagesinScripture.

WhereScripturespeaksoftheworld’screation,itdoesn’ttellusplainlywhetherorwhentheangelswerecreated.Ifitdoesmentionthem,itmentionsthemimplicitlyunderthenameof“Heaven,”whenitissaid,“InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavensandtheearth.”ButIcan’tbelievetheywerecompletelyleftout,becauseitiswrittenthatontheseventhdayGodrestedfromallhisworksthathemade;andthisverybookitselfbegins,“InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavensandtheearth,”sothatbeforeheavenandearthGodseemstohavemadenothing.

Still,thoughthefactthattheangelsaretheworkofGodisnotleftouthere,it’struethat it’snotexplicitlymentioned.ButelsewhereHolyScriptureasserts it in theclearestway.ForintheHymnoftheThreeChildrenintheFurnaceitwassaid,“BlesstheLord,allworksof theLord”(Dan.3:57);andamongtheseworksmentionedafterwardsindetail,theangelsarenamed(Dan.3:58).Andinthepsalmitissaid,“PraisetheLordfromtheheavens,/praisehimintheheights!/Praisehim,allhisangels,/praisehim,allhishost!/Praisehim, sunandmoon, /praisehim,allyoushiningstars! /Praisehim,youhighestheavens,/andyouwatersabovetheheavens!/LetthempraisethenameoftheLord!/Forhecommandedandtheywerecreated.”

Heretheangelsareveryexplicitly—andbydivineauthority—saidtohavebeenmadebyGod.Itsaysabout them,amongtheotherheavenlythings,“hecommandedandtheywerecreated.”



Psalm148 invites everything created, animate and inanimate, topraise theLord. Ifinanimate creation spontaneously praises God, how much more lavish should I be inraisingmyvoicewiththechoir?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Purespirits,whoarehighgloriesofGod’screation,helpus torestoreall things inChrist,sothatalltheworldmaytellhisgloriesandpraisetheFather.

HeavenlybeingsaswellweremadebytheWord

InterpretingPsalm45,St.Augustine imaginesall the things thathavebeencreatedby theWord: not just the stars, the earth, the sea, but also the angels and all theheavenlybeings.

“Myhearthathutteredagoodword”(Ps.45:1).

Whoisthespeaker?TheFather,ortheprophet?SometakeittobethePersonoftheFather,whosays,“Myhearthathutteredagoodword,”hintingatacertainunspeakablegeneration. Incaseyoushouldhappen to think thatsomethinghadbeen taken intohim,outofwhichGodshouldbeget theSon( justasman takessomething tohimselfoutofwhichhebegetschildren,namely,aunionofmarriage,withoutwhichmancannotbegetoffspring)—incaseyoushouldthinkthatGodneededsomesortofnuptialuniontobegettheSon,hesays,“Myhearthathutteredagoodword.”

Youhavea thought today,andyoudon’tneedawifetobeget it.Withthat thought,born fromyourheart,youbuild somethingorother, andbefore thatbuildingexists, thedesignexists;andwhatyouareabout toproduceexistsalreadyinthethoughtbywhichyouaregoingtoproduceit.Youpraisethestructurethatasyetdoesnotexistinthevisibleform of a building, but only drawn up in a design; nor does anyone else praise yourdesign,unlesseitheryoushowit tohim,orheseeswhatyouhavedone. If thenby theWordallthingsweremade(John1:3),andtheWordisfromGod,thinkofthestructurebuiltbytheWord,andlearnfromthatbuildingtoadmirehiscounsels!

WhatkindofWordisthatbywhichHeavenandEarthweremade(Heb.11:3)andallthe splendorof theheavens; all the fertilityof the earth; the expanseof the sea; the airspreadwide; the brightness of the constellations; the light of sun andmoon?These arevisiblethings—butriseabovethese,too,andthinkoftheAngels,Principalities,Thrones,Dominions,andPowers.Allweremadebyhim.

–St.Augustine,ExpositiononPsalm45,4


Do I give myself time to consider the wonders we know through astronomy andscience, and the wonders we cannot know yet in Heaven?Have I praisedGod for hiscreation?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MyGod,givemethegiftofwonderatyourcreation.YouareCreatorofall things,seen and unseen, earthly and angelic. By your grace, may I come to praise the gifts I

cannotsee,thegiftofyourholyangels.

Descriptionsofangelsarefigurative

The writer we call Dionysius the Areopagite, beginning a work on the celestialhierarchy, takes care to remind us that the descriptions of angels in Scripture arefigurative. The Bible uses these pictures to describe the angels’ attributes andabilitiesinawayourhumanunderstandingcangrasp.

Ithinkthefirstthingweneedtodoistosetforthwhatwethinkisthepurposeofevery hierarchy, and what benefit each one confers upon its followers; and next tocelebrate the heavenly hierarchies according to their revelation in Scripture; thenfollowing thatScripture, tosay inwhatsacred forms theholywritingsof theScripturesdepictthecelestialorders,andtowhatsortofsimplicitywemustbecarriedthroughtherepresentations.

Webeginthiswaysothatwemaynot,liketheuneducated,irreverentlythinkthattheheavenlyandGodlikemindsarecertainmany-footedandmany-facedcreatures,orshapedin the animal formofoxen,or the savage formof lions, and fashioned like thehookedbeaksofeagles,orthefeatherydownofbirds—orimaginethattherearecertainwheelsoffireabovetheheaven,ormaterialthronesuponwhichtheGodheadmayrecline,orcertainmany-colored horses, and spear-bearing leaders of the host, and whatever else wastransmittedbytheOraclestousundermultifarioussymbolsofsacredimagery.

No, theWordofGodartlesslymakesuseofpoetic representationsof sacred thingswhenspeakingoftheshapelessminds,outofregardtoourintelligence,sotospeak,usingamodeofeducationproperandnaturaltoit,andmoldingtheinspiredwritingsforit.

–DionysiustheAreopagite,TheCelestialHierarchy,2.1


WhenI findpartsof theBible thataredifficult tounderstand—like thestrangeandwonderfulappearancesoftheheavenlycreatures—wheredoIgoforhelp?WhereshouldIgo?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,sendyourangelstoenlightenmewheneverIhearyourholyoracles.

HowtheBibledescribesangels

Scripture, saysDionysius the Areopagite, uses symbolic imagery (in Ezekiel 1, forexample)todescribethelivesoftheheavenlybeings.Theydon’thaveactualwheels,butthesymbolicimagefitstheiractualbehaviorandexistence.

Butwhydoesittalkaboutrivers?Andwhyarewheelsandchariotsattachedtotheheavenlybeings?

TheriversoffirerepresenttheceaselesslyflowingstreamsfromGodthatnourishtheproductivepowersoflife.Thechariotsrepresentthecommunionofthosewhoarejoinedtogether in the same rank.Thewheels,which arewinged andmovewithout turning ordeviation,representthepoweroftheheavenlybeingstogoforwardinastraightanddirectpath.

But why does it say that the heavenly orders “rejoice”? For they are completelyincapableofourimpassionedpleasure.

TheyaresaidtorejoicewithGodwhenwhatwaslostisfound.Thisfitstheirdivinegoodnature,theirGodlikeandungrudgingrejoicingoverthecareandsalvationofthosewho are turned toGod. It is like that joybeyonddescription that holymenoften sharewhilethedeifyingenlightenmentfromGodisuponthem.



AmIungrudginglyjoyous,likethegoodangels,whensomeoneelsegainssomegreatbenefit?OramImoreinclinedtoenvy?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Search my conscience, Lord, and purify me from envy and every other impurethought,andmakemeworthyofthecompanyofyourheavenlyhost.

Theordersofangels

St. John of Damascus summarizes the teaching of Dionysius the Areopagite, whowroteatreatiseinverydifficultneo-Platoniclanguageontheangelicpowers.Herewe have the traditional names of the orders of angels, as gathered from the briefmentionsofheavenlypowersindifferentplacesinScripture.

DionysiustheAreopagite—thatmostholy,sacred,andgiftedtheologian—saysthatall theology(meaningHolyScripture)hasninedifferentnamesfor theheavenlybeings.Thatdivineteacherofthesacreddividestheseninekindsintothreegroupsofthreeeach:

1.ThefirstgroupismadeupofthosewhoareinGod’spresence,andaresaidtobewithhimdirectlyandimmediately:

•theSeraphim,withtheirsixwings;

•themany-eyedCherubim;

•andthosewhositintheholiestThrones.

2.Thesecondgroupcontains

•theDominions,

•thePowers,

•andtheAuthorities.

3.Thethirdandlastgroupcontains

•theRulers,

•theArchangels,

•andtheAngels.

–St.JohnofDamascus,ExpositionoftheOrthodoxFaith,2.3


Theangels themselvesarerankedbecauseGodestablishesanorderforallcreation.What ismyplace rightnow inGod’sorderedplan?Howwould I findmyplace?WhatshouldIbedoingtolivethatvocation?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father, you have established a perfect society for the sake of love. Help us gainperfectionbylivingthelifeofyourChurch,withtheangelsandsaints.

Howmanykindsofangelsarethere?

We commonlymention nine kinds of angels, but Origen, the first great systematictheologianofChristianity,speculatesthattheremightbemoreorderswedon’tknowabout. There may well be angels whose roles we can’t understand until we reachHeaven.

InHolyScripture,wefindnumerousnamesofcertainordersandoffices,notonlyofholybeings,butalsoofthoseoftheoppositetype.TherearecertainholyangelsofGodwhomPaulcallsministeringspirits,sentforthtoministerforthemwhoshallbeheirsofsalvation.InthewritingsofSt.Paulwefindhimdesignatingthem,fromsomeunknownsource,asThrones,andDominions,andPrincipalities,andPowers.

Andafterthislist,asifheknewthattherewerestillotherrationalofficesandordersbesides theoneshehadnamed,hesaysof theSavior thathe is“faraboveallRuleandAuthorityandPowerandDominion,andaboveeverynamethatisnamed,notonlyinthisagebutalsointhatwhichistocome”(Eph.1:21).Thusheshowsthattherewerecertainbeingsbesidesthosewhichhehadmentioned,whichmaybenamedindeedinthisworld,butwere not listed byhimnow, andperhapswere not knownby anyone else; and thattherewereotherswhichmaynotbenamedinthisworld,butwillbenamedintheworldtocome.

–Origen,DePrincipiis,1.5.1


Do Imarvel at the variety of God’s creation? Have I stopped to think that life inHeavenisinfinitelyrichereventhanlifehereonEarth?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelsofGod,winmethegraceofaholyawebeforeGod’screation.

Myriadsofmyriads

The number of angels is simply unimaginable, says the speculative philosopherDionysius the Areopagite. Only the angels themselves—and God, of course—canunderstandhowmanyangelsthereare.

Ibelieve this isalsoworth thinkingabout: the traditionofScripture tellsus thattherearethousandsofthousandsofangels,andmyriadsofmyriads.Theymultiplyuptotheverylimitsofournumbers—andbeyond.

Thisshowsclearlythatwecouldnevercount theranksof theheavenlybeings.Theminds above are many hosts, surpassing the weak and restricted measurement of ourmaterialnumbers.Onlytheirownheavenlyknowledgeabovecanactuallycountthem—theknowledgegiven to themby the supremelydivine, all-knowingFramerofWisdom,the Cause of being, the connecting Force, and the encompassing Term of all createdthings.

–DionysiustheAreopagite,TheCelestialHierarchy,14


HowwillinghaveIbeentoacceptthattherearethingsIcanneverunderstandaboutthenatureofangelsandallGod’splanofcreation?

CLOSINGPRAYER

BlesstheLord,Oyouhisangels,youmightyoneswhodohisword,hearkeningtothevoice of his word. Bless the Lord all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. –Psalm103:20-21

Theangelsearnedtheirrolesinthehierarchy

Origen, speculating about the different orders of angels, believes that each angelearneditsplaceintheorder,ratherthanbeingassigneditfromthebeginning.Likeus, he says, the angels were assigned their work in the world according to theirparticularvirtues.

Wemustnotsupposethatitisjustanaccidentthataparticularofficeisassignedtoaparticularangel—ascuringandhealingaretoRaphael,forexample,or theconductofwarstoGabriel;orattendingtotheprayersandsupplicationsofmortals toMichael.Weshouldnot imagine that theyobtained theseoffices in anyotherway thanby their ownmerits, and by the zeal and excellent qualities each one of them displayed before thisworldwas formed; so that afterwards in theorderof archangels, thisor that officewasassignedtoeachone,whileothersdeservedtobeenrolledintheorderofangels,andtoactunderthisorthatarchangel,orthatleaderorheadofanorder.

Allthesethingsweredisposed,asIhavesaid,notindiscriminatelyandhaphazardly,but by a very appropriate and fair decision of God, who arranged them according tomerits,inaccordancewithhisownapprovalandjudgment.InthiswaythechurchoftheEphesianswastobeentrustedtooneangel;thechurchoftheSmyrnæanstoanother;oneangelwastobePeter’s,anotherPaul’s;andsoonthrougheveryoneofthelittleonesthatare in theChurch—forof the angels thatdailybehold the faceofGod, thisor thatonemustbeassigned toeachoneof them;and theremustalsobesomeangel thatencampsroundaboutthemthatfearGod.

Wemustassuredlybelievethatallthesethingsdonothappenbyaccidentorchance,or because the angels were created that way. If we thought so, the Creator might beaccusedofpartiality.ButwemustbelievethattheywereconferredbyGod,thejustandimpartialRulerofallthings,accordingtothemerits,goodqualities,andmentalstrengthofeachindividualspirit.



Bytheirroles,theangelsteachmetheimportanceofservice.DoIserveaccordingtomyroleintheChurch?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,Iwishtodoyourwill,accordingtothesacredorderyouhaveestablishedformeasfortheangels,intheChurchasinHeaven.

AngelsareholybecauseoftheSpirit

ThoughScripturedoesnotexplicitlymention thecreationofangels,weknow fromourowncase(saysSt.Basil)thattheirholinesscomesfromtheHolySpirit,notfromtheirownnature.

Thepure,intelligentpowersthatliveabovethisworldarecalledholybecausetheygettheirholinessfromthegracegivenbytheHolySpirit.Thusthereisnomentionofthecreationoftheheavenlypowers,becausethehistorianofcreationhasrevealedtousonlythecreationofthingsoursensescanperceive.

Butyouhavethepowertoformananalogyofthingsyoucannotseefromthethingsyoucansee.GlorifytheMakerwhomadeallthings,visibleandinvisible—Principalities,Powers, Authorities, Thrones, and Dominions, and all other rational beings we cannotname.

Andwhenyouthinkofcreation,Ibegyouto thinkfirstof theoriginalcauseofallthings that are made, the Father; of the creative cause, the Son; and of the perfectingcause, theSpirit.Theministeringspiritsexistby thewillof theFather,arebrought intobeingbytheworkoftheSon,andareperfectedbythepresenceoftheSpirit.

–St.BasiltheGreat,OntheHolySpirit,38


Even angels are holy only because of the Spirit. Do I make enough use of thesacramentsChristgavemetomakemeholy?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Come,HolySpirit.FilltheheartsofyourfaithfulasyoufillthebeingoftheangelsinHeaven.

Ahierarchyofmerit—ordemerit

The hierarchy of angels,Origen says,must be arranged according to themerit ofeach angel. Likewise, the hierarchy of demonsmust be arranged according to thewickednessofeachdemon.

AllweneedtoknowtodemonstratetheimpartialityandrighteousnessofGodisthis: that, as theApostlePauldeclares, “there is nopartialitywithhim” (Eph.6:9), butinstead he disposes everything according to the deserts and moral progress of eachindividual.

So, then, the angelic office does not exist except because of their desert; nor doPowersexercisepowerexceptbyvirtueof theirmoralprogress;nordo thosewhicharecalledThrones(thatis,thepowersofjudgingandruling)administertheirpowersunlessbymerit;nordoDominionsruleundeservedly—forthatgreatanddistinguishedorderofrationalcreaturesamongcelestialbeingsisarrangedinagloriousvarietyofoffices.

Andwecansaythesameofthoseopposinginfluencesthathavegiventhemselvesupto such places and offices, that they derive the property by which they are madePrincipalities,orPowers,orrulersofthedarknessoftheworld,orspiritsofwickedness,ormalignant spirits,oruncleandemons,not from their essentialnature,or fromhavingbeencreatedthatway;but that theyhaveobtainedthesedegrees inevil inproportiontotheirconduct,andtheprogresstheymadeinwickedness.

–Origen,DePrincipiis,1.8,4


AmIstrivingtomakeprogressinthespirituallife,correspondingtoGod’sgrace,sothatImayoccupyaplaceclosetotheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelsofGod, teachmeto imitateyourprogress.HelpmetogowithGod’sgrace,fromglorytoglory.

AngelsareunchangeablebecausetheyloveGod

Thenatureofangelsischangeable,saysSt.GregorytheGreat.Butthegoodangelsare unchangeably good, because they are bound by love to their unchangeableCreator.

“Eveninhisservantsheputsnotrust,andhisangelshechargeswitherror;howmuchmorethosewhodwell inhousesofclay,whosefoundationis inthedust,whoarecrushedbeforethemoth”(Job4:18-19).

Althoughtheangelicnatureremainsunchangeableinitsownstate,becauseitstandsfast in thecontemplationof itsCreator,yet in that it isacreatedbeing itdoeshave thepossibilityofchangeinitself.

Tobechanged is togofrombeingone thing tobeinganother;a thing thatchangesdoesnothavestability in itself.Everybeing isbecomingsomeother thing,byasmanystepsas therearechanges itgoes through.Only the incomprehensibleNaturecannotbemovedfromitsfixedstate:itisalwaysthesame,andcannotbechanged.

Since the essence of angels was created good by its Maker, if it had not beenchangeable,thatnatureinthecorruptspiritswouldneverhavefallenfromthepinnacleofits blessed condition. But in a wonderful way God created the nature of the highestspiritualbeingsgood;yethemadethematthesametimecapableofchange,sothatthosewhorefusedtoremainwouldcometoruin,andthosewhocontinuedastheywerecreatedmightbeconfirmedinthatstateevenmoreworthilybecauseitwastheirownchoice,andbecomeallthemoremeritoriousinthesightofGodbecausetheyhadresistedthemotionsofchangebythestayingpowerofthewill.

Sotheangelicnatureitselfisalsochangeable,butithasovercomethatchangeabilitybybeingboundbychainsoflovetoGod,whoisalwaysthesame.



Every human being is changing—but are my changes leading me closer to theunchangeableangelicnaturethatisboundbychainsoflovetoGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Savemefromthedifficultiesofthisworld,Lord,andleadmywillinconformitywithyours,sothatattheendImaybecountedworthytodwellwithallyourangelsineternalbliss.

AngelsderivetheirhonorfromworshipingGod

Anangelisagloriousbeing,saysSt.Ambrose—buttheangel’sgloryisreflected,sotospeak:itcomesfrombeingaservantoftheGodwhoisgloriousbynature.

Letouradversariesnowadmit that it isprovedbeyonddoubt: themajestyof theFatherandoftheSonisone—especiallysincetheLordhimselfhassaid,“Forwhoeverisashamedofmeandofmywords,ofhimwilltheSonofManbeashamedwhenhecomesinhisgloryandthegloryoftheFatherandoftheholyangels”(Luke9:26).Whatisthemeaningof thewords“andof theholyangels,”but that the servantsderive theirhonorfromtheworshipoftheirLord?

TheSon,therefore,ascribedhismajestytohisFatheraswellastohimself—not,ofcourse,insuchawaythattheangelsshouldshareinthatmajestyonequaltermswiththeFatherandtheSon,butthattheyshouldbeholdthesurpassinggloryofGod.Fortrulynotevenangelspossessamajestyoftheirown,afterthemannerinwhichScripturespeaksofthe Son, “then he will sit on his glorious throne” (Matt. 25:31); but they stand in thepresence, so that theymay see the glory of the Father and the Son, in such degrees ofvisionastheyareeitherworthyoforabletobear.



DoIremember, likethegoodangels, thateverythinggoodinmecomesfromGod?OrdoItendtobeproudofmyaccomplishmentsasiftheywerereallymyown?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,leadmetoplaceallmygloryandpride,asyoudo,inGodalone.

Theangelsservefortheirownbenefit

St.IrenaeusindulgesinsomespeculationaboutthenatureofHeaven,andprobablymosttheologianstodaywoulddismisshisideasasmetaphoricalatbest.Butthere’san important theological truth in this passage. The angels serveGod, not becauseGodneedshelp,butbecauseit’sgoodforthemtoserve.

Thisworld is surroundedbysevenheavens, inwhich liveangelsandarchangelsservingGod, theAlmighty,Makerofall things—notbecauseheneedshelp,but so thattheymaynotbeidle,useless,andunproductive.

ForthesamereasontheSpiritofGodalsodwellsinusinmanyways.IsaiahcountshimasrestingontheSonofGod(thatis, theWord),whenhecomesasamaninsevenformsofservice:“AndtheSpiritoftheLordshallrestuponhim,thespiritofwisdomandunderstanding,thespiritofcounselandmight,thespiritofknowledgeandgodliness.AndhisdelightshallbeinthefearoftheLord”(Isa.11:2-3).

Thesearetheheavens,inorderfromabove,sothatthefirstencompassestherest:

•Wisdom

•Understanding

•Counsel

•Might

•Knowledge

•Godliness

•FearoftheLord

Theseventh is this firmamentofours,which is fullof the fearof thatSpiritwhichgives light to the heavens. As a pattern of this,Moses was given that seven-branchedcandlestick that glowed continually in the holy place; for, according towhat theWordspoketohim,hereceivedthatserviceasapatternoftheheavens:“Andseethatyoumakethemafterthepatternforthem,whichisbeingshownyouonthemountain”(Ex.25:40).

–St.Irenaeus,DemonstrationoftheApostolicPreaching,9-10


Howdoesitchangemyideaofmy“duties”toknowthateventheangelsserve,notbecauseGodneedshelp,butbecausetheyneedtoserve?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,teachmetoserveyou,asyourholyangelsserveyou,ineverythingIdo.

AngelsneverlosethevisionofGod

Angelsarelimitedinplace:theycannotbeeverywhereatonce.Sowhentheyaresenttous,howdotheystillbeholdthefaceoftheFather?St.GregorytheGreatanswersthattheykeepthevisionofGodbeforethemincontemplation.

Well,nowwe’readdingonequestiontoanother.Whenwetrytountangletheloop,we’reonlytyingaknot.HowcantheangelseitheralwaysbeinthepresenceoftheFather,oralwaysbeholdhisface,iftheyaresentontheirmissionsforoursalvation?

Butwewillfindthiseasiertobelieveifwerememberhowsubtletheangelicnatureis.TheynevergosofarawayfromthevisionofGodthattheyaredeprivedofthejoysofinnercontemplation. If theydid lose thevisionof theCreatorwhen theywentout, theycouldneverhaveraisedupthefallenorannouncedthetruthtothosewhowereignorantofit. They could not give the blind that fountain of light if they were deprived of it byleavingitbehind.

Thisishowthenatureofangelsisdifferentfromournatureinitspresentstate:wearelimitedbyspaceandhemmedinbytheblindnessofignorance,butthespiritsofangels—thoughtheyareindeedboundbyspace—haveaknowledgethatextendsincomparablyfarbeyondours.

SotheydoalwaysbeholdthefaceoftheFather,yetatthesametimetheycometous.Asaspiritualpresence, theygoout tous;but theyalwayskeep themselves there in theplacefromwhichtheyleft,bytheirinnercontemplation.



EventhoughIdonothavethesubtlenatureoftheangels,doItrytokeepthevisionofGodbeforemeasmuchasI’mable?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Fillmyintellectualvisionwiththelighttheangelssee,graciousGod,andmakemeworthytoserveyouintheworld.

ThearmiesofGod

Theangels areGod’s armies, says St.Gregory theGreat, because theyareatwarwiththefallenangels.Andthoseofuswhofreeourselvesfromearthlyconcernsjointhatheavenlyarmyandsharethevictorywiththeangels.

“Is thereanynumber tohisarmies?Uponwhomdoeshis lightnotarise?”(Job25:3).

WerightlycalltheangelicspiritsthearmiesofGod,becauseweareawarethattheyareatwaragainst thepowersof theair.Theycarryon theseconflicts,however,notbylaborbutbyauthority.Whatevertheywishwhentheyactagainstimpurespirits,theycanaccomplishitbytheaidofGod,whorulesallthings.

Ofthisarmyitiswrittenthat,whenourKingwasborn,“suddenlytherewaswiththeangel amultitudeof theheavenlyhost” (Luke2:13).And thenumberof theelect fromhumanityisjoinedtothisheavenlyhost,whenbytheloftyaspirationsofthemindtheyaresetfreefromthebondageofanearthlyconnection.AboutthisPaulsaid,“Nosoldieronservicegetsentangledincivilianpursuits”(2Tim.2:4).

Though they are shown as few in number, in the invisible country they reigninnumerably, because—although they are fewcompared to the evil-minded—when theyareassembledtogethertheycannotbemeasuredinanyway.

Butbecausethegoodnessofthosesoldiersismadefirm,notbytheirownpowers,butbytheinspirationofgracefromabove,itisrightlyadded,“Uponwhomdoeshislightnotarise?”



Whatearthly thingsare tyingmedownandkeepingmefromjoining thevictoriousarmyofHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,withallthespiritsofthejustandofprophets;soulsofmartyrsandofapostles;Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Authorities, and dreadPowers; and the many-eyed Cherubim, and the six-winged Seraphim, let me sing thevictorioushymnofyourmajesticglory.

Whatangelsdo

St.JohnofDamascusadmitsthattherearemanythingswecan’tknowaboutangels.ButScriptureandreasontellusquiteabit.Angelsarebeingsaboveus,buttheyarenotnaturallyperfect.OnlyGodisperfect.Thegoodangelscannolongerbemovedtoevil—butthatisbyGod’sgrace,notbytheirownnature.

Angelsarepowerful,andquicktodoGod’swill.Theirnatureissospeedythat,assoonasthedivineglanceordersthemtogosomewhere,immediatelytheyarethere.Theyaretheguardiansofthedivisionsoftheearth:theyareplacedovercountriesandareasthattheCreatorassignstothem.Theygovernallouraffairsandbringusaid.Andcertainlythereason is that theyareplacedoverusbyGod’swillandcommand,and theyarealwaysnearhim.

Itishardforthemtobemovedtoevil.Buttheyarenotnaturallyimmovable.Theyarecompletelyimmovablenow,but that isbecauseofGod’sgraceandtheirnearnesstotheOnlyGood,notbecauseoftheirnature.

TheyseeGodasfarastheyareabletoseehim,andthatistheirfood.

Becausetheyarebodiless,theyareaboveus,andtheyarefreeofallbodilypassion.Buttheyarenotpassionless,sinceonlyGodispassionless.

They take different forms as God, their Master, commands them, and thus revealthemselvestohumanbeingsandunveilthedivinemysteriestothem.

TheyliveinHeaven,andtheironedutyis tosingGod’spraiseandtocarryouthiswill.



Angels’ onlyduties, saysSt. JohnofDamascus, are topraiseGod anddohiswill.HowwouldmylifebedifferentifItookthoseasmymarchingordersaswell?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,whoarecarriedthroughtheuniverse faster thanlight inyourzeal forthewillofGod,keephiswillpresenttomysoul,andgivemeyouraidinmyownefforts.

AngelsknowanddoGod’swillimmediately

Godspokethelawtohumansinawaywecouldunderstand—wordbyword,syllablebysyllable,eachsoundtakingupthetimenecessaryforustohearit.Buttheangels,St. Augustine says, receive God’s instructions directly in their minds, and theyinstantlyaccomplishwhatGodwillsthemtodo.

AndsoithaspleasedDivineProvidence,asIhavesaid,andaswereadintheActsoftheApostles(7:53)thatthelawdemandingtheworshipofoneGodshouldbegivenbythedispositionofangels.

ButamongthemthepersonofGodHimselfvisiblyappeared—not,ofcourse,inhisproper substance, which is always invisible to mortal eyes, but by the infallible signsgivenbycreation inobedience to itsCreator.Healsoused thewordsofhumanspeech,speakingthemsyllablebysyllableoneaftertheother,thoughinhisownnaturehespeaksnot inabodilybut inaspiritualway—not tosense,but to themind—not inwords thatoccupytime,but,sotospeak,eternally,neitherbeginningtospeaknorcomingtoanend.

AndwhatHesaysisaccuratelyheard,notbythebodilybutbythementalearsofhisministers and messengers, who are immortally blessed in the enjoyment of hisunchangeabletruth.Whateverdirectionstheyreceiveinsomeunspokenway,theyexecutethemwithoutdelayordifficultyinthesensibleandvisibleworld.



For angels, understanding andobedience are instantaneous.Myhuman abilities aremorelimited,butcouldIatleaststarttodoGod’swillassoonasIunderstandwhatitis?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,whoworshipbesidemeinadorationof theoneTrueGod, theBlessedTrinity:HelpmetobeaspromptandunhesitatingasyouareinmyobediencetothelawandthedirectivesoftheLordandhisChurch.

Liketheangels,butdifferent

St. Gregory Nazianzen says that we were created as a sort of secondworld, bothearthlyandheavenly.LiketheangelswehaveaspiritualnaturefitforpraisingGod,butwealsohaveamaterialnaturethatlearnsthroughsuffering.

TheCreator,theWordtookabodyfrommatterthatalreadyexisted,andplacedhisownbreath in it.AndtheWordknewthat thiswasanintelligentsoul,andthe imageofGod.

Thushemademanasasortofsecondworld.Heplacedhim,greatinhislittleness,onthe earth—a new angel, amixedworshiper, fully initiated into the visible creation, butonly partially into the intellectual creation. He is earthly and heavenly, temporal yetimmortal, visible yet intellectual, halfway between greatness and lowliness, combiningspiritandfleshinoneperson—spiritbecauseofthefavorbestowedonhim,fleshbecauseof the height towhich he has been raised—spirit so that hemight continue to live andpraise hisBenefactor, flesh so that hemight suffer, and by suffering remember and becorrectedifhebecameproudofhisgreatness.

He is a living creature trained here and moved elsewhere—and, to complete themystery,deifiedbyhisinclinationtoGod.

–St.GregoryNazianzen,Oration38.11


DoIappreciatethelifeIshareincommonwiththeangels?DoIunderstandthewaysIdifferfromthem?DoIgloryinthatdifference?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyAngel,helpmetoseethatIamfearfullyandwonderfullymade,asareyouandallmyneighborsinHeavenandonEarth.

Angelsarespiritual,butstilllimited

Anangel,saysSt.JohnofDamascus, isnot limitedbyaphysicalbodythewayweare.Butangelsarestill limited; theyexist,mentally, inaparticularplaceandataparticulartime.OnlyGodiseverywhereatalltimes.

Theangel,althoughnotcontainedinplacewithaparticularshape,asabodyis,isstill said tobe inaplacebecausehehasamentalpresenceandenergizes inaccordancewith his nature; when he energizes somewhere, he is not somewhere else, but has hismental limitations there. For it is impossible to energize at the same time in differentplaces.

Godalonecanenergizeeverywhereatthesametime.Theangelenergizesindifferentplacesby thequicknessof his nature and thepromptness and speedwithwhichhe canchangehisplace:but theDeity,whoiseverywhereandaboveall,energizesat thesametimeindifferentwayswithonesimpleenergy.

But the angel is circumscribed alike in time (forhisbeinghadabeginning) and inplace(butmentalspace,aswesaidabove)andinunderstanding.FortheyknowsomehowthenatureofeachotherandhavetheirboundsperfectlydefinedbytheCreator.Bodies,inshort,arecircumscribedbothinbeginningandend,andbodilyplaceandapprehension.



Liketheangels,Ihavelimitationsimposedbymynature,whichwasgiventomebyGod.DoIstriveforclearself-knowledge,likethatoftheangels,sothatImayserveGodashemademetoservehim?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Gloriousangels,youseemeasIam.Helpmetoseemyselfasclearly,sothatImayserveGodperfectly.

Angelsarelimited;theSpiritisnot

Against those who would relegate the Holy Spirit to inferior status, St. Basil theGreatpointsoutthatScriptureconsistentlytreatstheangelsaslimitedbeings:herebutnotthere,inoneplaceandnotanother.ButtheSpirit,asGod,iseverywhereatonce.

OftherestofthepowersofHeaven,eachisbelievedtobeinalimitedplace.TheangelwhostoodbyCornelius (Acts10:3)wasnotwithPhilipat exactly the same time(Acts 8:26); the angel who spoke with Zechariah from the altar (Luke 1:11) was notsimultaneouslyupinHeavenathispost.

ButtheSpiritisbelievedtohavebeenworkinginHabakkukandDanielatthesametime inBabylon,and tohavebeenat theprisonwithJeremiah,andwithEzekielby theChebar.

For“theSpiritoftheLordhasfilledtheworld”(Wis.1:7).“WhithershallIgofromyourSpirit?OrwhithershallIfleefromyourpresence?”(Ps.139:7).



A powerful guardian angel is withme all the time, and the power of the Spirit isinfinite.AmImindfuloftheirpresenceeveryday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Havemercyonmeaccording to yourgreat compassion,Lord. Send yourangels toprotectme,andsendforthonmeyourall-holySpirit.

AngelshaveknowledgethroughtheCreator

Likeus,saysSt.Augustine,angelsknowthingsinthemselves—thatis,byexperienceofthem.ButtheyhaveamuchdeeperknowledgeintheWordofGod,whichisalwayspresenttotheirsoulsandgivesthemabrightandclearknowledgeofallthings.

TheholyangelscometotheknowledgeofGodnotbywordsthattheyhear,butbythepresenceintheirsoulsofimmutabletruth—thatis,oftheonly-begottenWordofGod.And they know thisWord himself, and the Father, and their Holy Spirit, and that thisTrinityisindivisible,andthatthethreepersonsofitareonesubstance,andthattherearenotthreeGodsbutoneGod—andtheyknowallthisinsuchawaythattheyunderstanditbetterthanweunderstandourselves.

Inthesameway,theyknowthecreaturetoo,notinitself,butbythisbetterway,inthewisdomofGod, as if in the art bywhich itwas created; and, consequently, theyknowthemselves better in God than in themselves. In Him, therefore, they have a noondayknowledge;inthemselves,atwilightknowledge.

So is it with all other things—the firmament between the water above and below,whichwascalledtheheaven;thegatheringofthewatersbeneath,andthelayingbareofthedryland,andtheproductionofplantsandtrees;thecreationofsun,moon,andstars;andof the animalsoutof thewaters, fowls, and fish, andmonstersof thedeep; andofeverythingthatwalksorcreepsontheearth,andofmanhimself,whoexcelsallthatisontheearth—all these things areknown inonewayby the angels in theWordofGod, inwhich they see the unchanging causes and reasons for which they were made, and inanotherwayin themselves: in theformer,withaclearerknowledge; in the latter,withaknowledgedimmer,andratherofthebareworksthanofthedesign.Yet,whentheseworksarereferredtothepraiseandadorationoftheCreatorHimself,itisasifmorningdawnedinthemindsofthosewhocontemplatethem.



What thingsdoIknowfairlywell—myspecialareasofexpertise?Howwould thatknowledgebeilluminatedifItriedtoseeitinthelightoftheWordofGod—accordingtoGod’seternalplan?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holy angels, you seeGod and all thingswith unclouded eyes.Help us to seewithsuchclarity;unselfishly,andwithapuredesire.

Angelsareimmortalbygrace,notbynature

Attempting to define what an angel is, St. John of Damascus comes to someinterestingconclusions.Sinceangelsarecreated,they’renotnaturallyeternal.Likeus,theyhaveeternallifeaheadofthemonlybythegraceofGod.

An angel is an intelligent being, always in motion, with free will, bodiless,ministeringtoGod,withanimmortalnatureobtainedbygrace.

Itswillischangeableorinconstant:foreverythingthatiscreatedischangeable,andonly what is uncreated is unchangeable. And everything rational is endowed with freewill. Since it is rational and intelligent, it is endowed with free will. And since it iscreated,itischangeable,ableeithertopersistingoodnessortoturntoevil.

It cannot repent, because it is bodiless. The weakness of the body is the reasonmankindhasrepentance.

It is immortal—not by nature, but by grace. Everything that had a beginning alsocomestoitsnaturalend;Godaloneiseternal—orrather,abovetheeternal,sincehewhocreatedtimeisnotunderthepoweroftimebutabovetime.

AngelsaresecondaryintelligentlightsderivedfromthatfirstLightwhichiswithoutbeginning. They have the power of illumination: they need no speech or hearing, butcommunicatetheirthoughtsandideastooneanotherwithoutspeaking.

ThusthroughtheWordallangelswerecreated,andthroughthesanctificationoftheHoly Spirit they were brought to perfection, each one sharing in brightness and graceaccordingtoitsworthandrank.



Lifeisagift,andimmortalityextendsthatgiftendlessly.DoIappreciatethefactthatI canknow the companionshipofmy angel forever, sinceGodhasmadeus both to beimmortal?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyAngel,myconstantfriend,mayIgrowclosertoyoueverydayofthislife,thatImayrecognizeyouwithjoyandwithouthesitationinHeaven.

Theangels’immortalitydependsuponGod’swill

The angels are immortal, says St. Ambrose, but they don’t have the same kind ofimmortalitythatGodhas.Godis immortalbynature;angelsareimmortalbecauseGodgivesthemimmortality.

The immortality of God’s nature is one thing, and the immortality of ours isanother.Perishablethingscannotbecomparedtodivinethings.TheGodheadistheonlySubstance that death cannot touch, and therefore it is that theApostle, thoughknowingthatbothoursoulandtheangelsareimmortal,declaredthatGodonlyhadimmortality(1Tim.6:16).Intruth,eventhesoulmaydie:“Thesoulthatsinsshalldie”(Ezek.18:20).Andanangelisnotabsolutelyimmortal,becausehisimmortalitydependsonthewilloftheCreator.

Donothastilyreject this,becauseGabrieldoesnotdie,orRaphael,orUriel.Everycreature haswithin it the possibility of corruption and death, even if it is not dying orcommitting sin right now. And if it does not hand itself over to sin in anything, thisblessing does not come from its immortal nature, but from discipline or grace.Immortality,then,thatcomesasagiftisonething;immortalitywithoutthepossibilityofchangeisanother.



Godwillsmysoultobeimmortallikethegoodangels.AmIcooperatingwithGod’swill,asGabrielandRaphaeldo?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,leadmetohearthelife-givingcommandmentsoftheLord,sothatImaybefoundworthytospendeternityinyourcompany.

Immortallymortalandmortallyimmortal

Bothhumanbeingsandangelsaremortal ina certain sense, saysSt.Gregory theGreat. They can cease to be what they are now. But neither one can cease to bealtogether.

Noweitherahumansouloranangelicspirit is immortal insuchawaythat it iscapableofdying.Anditismortalinsuchawaythatitcanneverdie.

Itisdeprivedoflivinghappilyeitherbysinorbypunishment.Butitneverlosesitsessentialpropertyofliving,eitherbysinorbypunishment.Itstopslivinginaparticularway,butnotevendyingcanbringanendtoeverymodeofitsbeing.

Inaword,Imightsaythatitisbothimmortallymortalandmortallyimmortal.



Ifdeathistobedeprivedoflivinghappily,whatamIdoingtoavoidthedeathofthefallenangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,givemelifefromdeath,andbringmehomeattheendofthislifetopraiseyouforeverinjoywithyourholyangels.

AngelsarekeptalivebyGod

AparticularlypoeticpassagefromDionysiustheAreopagitetellsusthattheangels,andallotherlivingbeings,arealiveonlybecausetheyshareintheself-existingLifeofGod.Whenwesaythatangelsareimmortal,wedon’tmeanthattheyareimmortalbynature;wemeanthatGodkeepsthemaliveforever.

Nowletussingtheeternallife,fromwhichcomestheself-existingLife,andeverylife;andfromwhich, toeverysinglethingthatsharesinlife, isdistributedthepowertoliveappropriatelytoeach.

Certainly the life and the immortality of the immortal angels, and the veryindestructibilityof theangelicperpetualmotion, existbecauseof theeternal life, and issustained from it andbecauseof it. For that reason they are also called ever-living andimmortal—not immortal because they have immortality and eternal life by their ownnature,butbecausetheyhaveitfromthelife-givingCausethatformsandsustainsalllife.AsIsaidbefore,Godonlyisself-existingBeing;andagainIsayherethatthedivinelife,whichisabovelife,islife-givingandsustainingeventotheself-existingLife.Everylifeandlife-givingmovementcomesfromthatLifethatisaboveeverylifeandeverysourceoflife.

FromGod even the souls have their indestructible nature.All living creatures, andplants in their most remote echo of life, have their power to live from God. And, asScripturesays,whenthatLifeaboveall life is takenaway,all lifefails.Buteventhingsthathavefailed through their inability toshare in that life, if theyreturn,becomelivingcreaturesagain.

–DionysiustheAreopagite,TheDivineNames,6.1


HaveIthankedGodtodayforhisgiftoflife—notonlytome,buttoeverythingfromangelsdowntothebacteriaIcouldn’tlivewithout?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,Ithankyoucontinually.Iadoreandglorifyyou,OLordofall,withoutwhomIwouldnotexist,andnoteventheangelswouldhavelife.

ThereisanorderinHeaven

ArguingagainstthehereticJovianus,St.Jeromeexplainsthatthereareranksevenofangels;weshouldn’tbesurprised,therefore,tohearthattherewillberanksamongthesaints.

ChristtellsusthatinHeaventherearemanydifferentmansions,preparedformanydifferentvirtues,andtheywillbeawarded,nottopersons,buttopersons’works.

Butiftherearenotmanymansions,thenhowdoestheOldTestamentteach,liketheNew, that the chief priest has one rank, the priests another, the Levites another, thedoorkeepersanother,thesacristansanother?HowisitthatinthebookofEzekiel,whichgivesadescriptionof the futureChurchandof theheavenly Jerusalem, thepriestswhohave sinned aredegraded to the rankof sacristans anddoorkeepers (Ez. 44:10-14), andalthoughtheyareinthetempleofGod,thatisontherighthand,theyarenotamongtherams,butamongthepoorestof thesheep?Howagainis it that in theriverwhichflowsfrom the temple,and replenishes the salt sea,andgivesnew life toeverything,we readtherearemanykindsof fish?Whydoweread that in thekingdomofHeaven thereareArchangels,Angels, Thrones,Dominions, Powers, Cherubim, and Seraphim, and everynamethatisnamed,notonlyinthispresentworld,butalsothatwhichistocome?

A difference of name is meaningless where there is not a difference of rank. AnArchangelisofcourseanArchangeltootherinferiorangels,andPowers,andDominionshaveotherspheresoverwhichtheyexerciseauthority.ThisiswhatwefindinHeavenandintheadministrationofGod.

–St.Jerome,AgainstJovianus,2.28


If there are ranks inHeaven, am I striving to earn the highest rank?Or am I justscrapingby?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian Angel, help me to know my particular gifts clearly, that I may work toperfect them for God’s use on Earth, and through them give praise to him forever inHeaven.

Whyahierarchy?

Dionysius the Areopagite uses neo-Platonist language to explain the purpose ofhierarchy.ThehierarchyinHeaven,anditsmirrorintheChurch,bothexisttomakeourlivesintoimagesofthelifeofGod,andtoreflectthedivinityofGodtoothers.

Thepurposeofhierarchyistobringallitsmemberstogether,asfarasattainable,with God, making him the Leader of all religious science and operation, by lookingunflinchinglyonhisdivinebeauty,andcopyingitasfaraspossible.

Hierarchyperfectsitsownfollowersasdivineimages,luminousandflawlessmirrors,whichreceivetheoriginallightandthesupremelydivinerayandaredevoutlyfilledwithradianceentrustedtothem,andthenspreadthisradiancegenerouslytothoseafterthem,inaccordancewithGod’sownregulations.

Foritisnotlawfulforthemysticritesofsacredthings,orforthingsreligiouslydone,todoanythingwhatsoeverbeyondthesacredregulationsoftheirownfunction.Theymustnot even attempt otherwise if they desire to attain its deifying splendor, and look to itreligiously,andaremoldedaftertheexampleofeachoftheholyminds.

Whoeversays“hierarchy,”then,meansacertaincompletelyholyorder,animageofthe supremely divine freshness, ministering the mysteries of its own illumination inhierarchical ranks and sciences, and assimilated to its own proper Head as far as it islawful.

–DionysiustheAreopagite,TheCelestialHierarchy,3.1-2


WhatevermyplaceisintheChurch,doIfillitastheangelsdo,asifIwereonepartofthegreatmindofGod?OrdoIdoitgrudgingly?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,grantyourSpirittoallyourbishops,priests,deacons,readers,andsingers,andtheentirebodyofyourholyCatholicandApostolicChurch.MayyourChurchonearthbeaperfectimageofyourChurchinHeaven.

ThehierarchyimitatesGod

Dionysius the Areopagite explains that each member of a hierarchy—among theangelsor in theChurch—findshisownperfection inhisownparticularrole in thegreaterorganization.

EachofthosewhohavebeencalledintothehierarchyfindsperfectioninimitatingGodinhisownway—and,whatismoredivinethanall,inbecomingafellow-workerwithGod,astheScripturessay,andinshowingthedivineenergyinhimselfmanifestedasfaraspossible.

One of the rules of hierarchy is that some are purified and that others purify; thatsomeareenlightenedandothersenlighten;thatsomeareperfectedandothersperfect.TheimitationofGodwillfiteachoneinthisfashion.

The blessedness of God, to speak in human terms, is in fact unstained by anydissimilarity,andisfullofinvisiblelight—perfect,andneedingnoperfection;cleansing,illuminating,andperfecting. Indeed,wemightsay it isaholypurification, illumination,andperfection—abovepurification,abovelight,preeminentlyperfect.Itisthesourceandcauseofeveryhierarchy,perfectinitself,andraisedfaraboveeveryholything.

–DionysiustheAreopagite,TheCelestialHierarchy,3.1-2


DoIrecognizethatevennowGodispurifyingmethroughtheministryofangels?DoIsubmitwillinglytopurification,nomatterhowdemandingitmayseem?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Send your angels to purify my soul, O Lord, and cleanse my heart from allwickedness,thatImaymakemylifeasweetofferingtoyou.

Theordersofangelsteachoneanother

The hierarchy ofHeaven, like the hierarchy onEarth, keeps to a definite order ofteaching, according to Dionysius the Areopagite. The higher levels teach thesubordinate levels. Like some other Fathers, ourwriter imagines the beginning ofIsaiah63asadescriptionofthesceneinHeavenwhenChristascended.

Theologiansshowthatthesuperiorordersofheavenlybeingsteachthesubordinateorders the knowledge of becoming like God. The highest orders of all receive theirillumination directly fromGod, as far as possible for them, in revelations of the divinemysteries.Some(thetheologianssay)wereinstructedbythoseofhigherrankthathewhoascendedintoHeavenasamanisLordoftheheavenlypowers,andKingofglory;othersaskedJesushimself,becausetheywishedtobetaughtabouthisdivineworkonourbehalf,andJesustaughtthemdirectly,showingthemwhathehaddoneoutofloveforhumanity.“ItisI,”Jesussaid,“announcingvindication,mightytosave”(Isa.63:1).

Personally,Iamamazedthateventheforemostoftheheavenlybeings,sofarabovealltherest,shouldreverentlylookforthedivineteachingsasintermediatebeings.Theydonotaskdirectly,“Whyisyourapparelred?”(Isa.63:2).Butfirst theyraisethequestionamongthemselves.Thisshowsthattheydesiretolearn,andcravetheknowledgeofbeinglikeGod,anddonotdemandtheknowledgeofwhatGodhasdonebefore it is timeforthemtoknow.



DoIreverentlyaccepttheteachingauthorityofthosetowhomtheChurchhasgivenit—bothangelsandbishops?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,youchosethelampofthetwelveapostleswithitstwelvelights,andsentthemforthtoproclaimthroughoutthewholeworldandteachthegospelofyourkingdom;sendyourangelstokeeptheirsuccessorssafefromallerror.

Eachorderinterpretstheorderabove

Dionysius the Areopagite tells us that the angels on any level of the hierarchyinterpretwhat they learn from the rank above for the sake of the rank below. TheSeraphim,at the topof thehierarchy, learn fromGodhimself.Andevenwithin thesamerankofthehierarchy,therearedifferentpositions.

Allangelsareinterpretersofthoseabovethem.ThemostreverendangelsinterpretGod,whomoves them,directly.The rest are interpreters, in their ownpositions, of theoneswhohavebeenmovedbyGod.

Intheharmonyofallthings,eachoftherationalandintellectualbeingshasitsownplaceanditsownwork.Wealsoseethateachhierarchyisplacedinasacredorder,andeveryoneofthethreehierarchiesisitselfdividedintofirst,middle,andlastpowers.

But, to speak correctly,God has given each division itself the samekind of divineorganization.ThisiswhythetheologianssaythattheSeraphimcryonetoanother.Ithinkthisshowsdistinctlythatthefirstgivetheirknowledgeofthedivinetothesecond.



All earthly authority is dependent on light fromHeaven. Fromwhom do I usuallylearnaboutthingsthathavetodowithfaith?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lordofalllight,sendyourangelstoenlightenthebishops,elders,deacons,readers,singers,andlaity,withtheentirebodyoftheHolyCatholicandApostolicChurch.

Thehierarchyinyourmind

DionysiustheAreopagitetellsusthathierarchyisnotjustawayoforganizingeitherindividualangelsorhumans.There isasimilarhierarchy ineverymind.YourownmindisorganizedinsuchawayastoleadyoutowardparticipationintheperfectionofGod.

Itwouldbeappropriatetoaddherethateachmind,eitherheavenlyorhuman,haswithin itself its own special first, andmiddle, and last ranks, and powers, whichworkseparatelyinourownminds,justaswesaidthedifferentranksofthehierarchyworkinpassingdownmysticalenlightenment.

In this way each mind participates in the most spotless purification, the mostabundant light, and the greatest degree of perfection possible and ordained for thatindividual.Forthereisnothingreallyperfectinitself,orcompletelywithoutneedofbeingperfected,exceptGod,whoisself-perfectandpreeminentlyperfect.



DoIallow thehigherpartsofmymind to lead the lowerparts, theway thehigherbeingsinHeavenleadthelower?Ordothelowerpartsofmymindtakethelead?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, repel the dark assaults of sin frommy understanding, and gladdenmymindwiththedivineradianceofyourangels.

Thebodyasamapoftheangels’minds

Inaflightofphilosophicalfancy,DionysiustheAreopagiteusesthehumanbodyasasymbol of the intellectual powers of the heavenly beings, and our own similarintellectualpowersaswell.

Ithinkwecanfindfittingimagesoftheheavenlypowersinthepartsofourownbody.

Vision symbolizes theclear elevation toward the lightofGod, and the receptionofenlightenment fromGod. The power of distinguishing smells symbolizes being able toreceive,asfaraspossible,thesweet-smellinggraceofGod,andtheabilitytodistinguishwhat is notGod’s grace and to reject it.Hearing symbolizes consciously receiving andparticipatinginGod’sinspiration.

Taste symbolizes the intellectual nourishment that comes in plentiful streams fromGod.Touchsymbolizestheskillofdecidingwhatisgoodorharmful.

EyelidsandeyebrowssymbolizeguardingtheconceptionsthatseeGod.

Manhoodandyouthsymbolizetheperpetualbloomandvigoroflife.

Teethsymbolizedividingthenourishingperfectiongiventous—foreachintellectualbeinghastheabilitygivenbyGodtodivideandmultiplytheunifiedideagiventoitbythebeingsabove,sothatitinturncanelevatethebeingsbelow.

The shoulders, elbows, and hands symbolize the power of making, doing, andaccomplishing.

Theheart symbolizes theGodlike life, sending itsown life-givingpowerout to theobjectsofitsconcern,asisfittingforthegood.Thechest,whichisplacedabovetheheart,symbolizestheinvincibleprotectionofthislife-givingdistribution.

Thebackholdstogetheralltheproductivepowersoflife.

Thefeetsymbolizetheswiftandskillfulperpetualmovementtowardthedivine.



Ismy own body a fitting symbol of the angelic life? Is every part ordered towardaccomplishingGod’swill?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, letme fulfill inmyownplace,asamemberofyourspiritualbody,yourholyandblessedwill.

EverythingisunderGod’scontrol

When all the forces of nature and even the angels themselves seem to be arrayedagainst us, says St.Gregory theGreat,wemust remember that it is not the thingsactingofthemselves,butGodarrangingeverythingforthetruegood.

AllthingscontinuetoexistinGod,bywhomtheywerecreated.Thingsthatlivedonotowetheirlifetothemselves,andthingsthatmovebutdonotlivearenotsetinmotionbytheirownwhim.Godmovesallthings:hegivessomeofthemlife,andpreservessomethatarenotalive,arrangingeverythingdowntothelastandlowestbeinginawonderfulway.Allthingsweremadeoutofnothing,andtheywouldgobacktobeingnothingiftheAuthorofallthingsdidnotholdthembythehandofgovernance.

Bythemselves,allthethingsthathavebeencreatedcannoteithercontinuetoexistorbemoved.Theyexistonlysofarasitisgiventothemthattheyshouldbe,andtheymoveonlysofarastheyareinfluencedbyasecretimpulse.

Hereisasinnerordainedtobescourgedbyhumanaccidents.Theearthisparchedinhis toil—thesea is tossed to shipwreckhim—theair ison fire tomakehimsweat—theheavensaredarkenedtofloodonhim—hisfellowcreaturesburnwithfiretooppresshim—theangelicpowersarestirredupagainsthim.

Arealltheinanimatethings,andallthelivingbeings,thatIhavementionedhereputintoactionbytheirowninstincts?No,theyareputintoactionbyimpulsesfromGod.

Whateverisarrayedagainstusoutwardly,wemustseeinitthatBeingwhoordainsitinwardly.



Wheneventheangelsthemselvesseemtobegoingagainstme,doIstillhaveJob’scouragenottocurseGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Togetherwithalltheheavenlyhost,OLord,Ipraiseyouandsay,Blessedareyou,OGod,andglorybecomesyou,theFather,Son,andHolySpirit,nowandforever.

“Lordofall”includestheangels

WhenPetersaysthatChristis“Lordofall,”hemeansLordofeverything,saysSt.CyrilofJerusalem.Thatincludesangelsandalltheheavenlybeings.

“He is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). But when he says “of all,” do not leave outanything from his lordship. Angels, Archangels, Principalities, Powers, or any othercreatedthingnamedbytheApostles—theyareallunderthelordshipoftheSon.

HeistheLordofangels,asyouhavereadintheGospels:“Thenthedevillefthim,andbehold,angelscameandministeredtohim”(Matt.4:11).TheScripturedoesnotsay,“theyhelpedhim,”but“theyministeredtohim”—thatis,likeservants.

Whenhewasabouttobebornofavirgin,Gabrielwashisservant,havingreceivedhisserviceasaparticulardignity.WhenhewasabouttogointoEgypt,sothathemightoverthrow the gods ofEgyptmadewith hands, again an angel appeared to Joseph in adream(Matt.2:13).Afterhehadbeencrucifiedandhadrisenagain,anangelbroughtthegoodnews,andasatrustworthyservantsaidtothewomen,“Thengoquicklyandtellhisdisciples thathehasrisenfromthedead,andbehold,he isgoingbeforeyoutoGalilee;thereyouwillseehim.Lo,Ihavetoldyou”(Matt.28:7)—almostasiftosay,“Ihavenotneglectedmycommand:IdeclarethatIhavetoldyou,andifyoudisregardittheblamewillnotbeonme,butonthosewhodisregardit.”

This,then,istheoneLordJesusChrist,ofwhomthelessonwejustreadspeaks:“Foralthough theremaybeso-calledgods inHeavenoronEarth—as indeed therearemany‘gods’andmany‘lords’—yetforusthereisoneGod,theFather,fromwhomareallthingsand for whomwe exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things andthroughwhomweexist”(1Cor.8:5-6).

–St.CyrilofJerusalem,CatecheticalLecture10,10


DoIrecognizethatIoccupyacreationthatincludescreaturesmuchmoreintelligentandstrongerthanIam?DoIstrivetopraiseGodwiththesecreatures,theholyangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MercifulGod,teachmetobehumble.GivemethelighttoseemyselfasIam,toseetheangelsastheyare,andtopraiseyouforyourcreation.

AllcreationgivesthankstoGod

AllGod’sworks give thanks to him, thepsalm says.How?St.Augustineasks.Notbecause stones and trees can speak, but because the perfectly ordered beauty ofcreationmakesGod’sintelligentcreaturespraisehim.

“All yourworks shall give thanks to you,OLord, and all thy saints shall blessthee!”(Ps.145:10).

“Allyourworksshallgivethankstoyou.”Howwilltheygivethanks?Isn’ttheearthhiswork?Aren’t the treeshiswork?Cattle,animals,fish,birds—aren’t theyhisworks?Ofcoursetheyare.Sohowwilltheygivethankstohim?

CertainlyIcanseehowtheangelsgivethankstohim.Theangelsarehisworks,andwearehisworks.Whenwegivethankstohim,hisworksgivethankstohim.Butdotreesand stoneshaveavoice togive thanks?Yes, theycertainlyhave: “All yourworks shallgivethankstoyou.”

Now,nooneshouldthinkthatspeechlessstonesoranimalshaveanintelligencethatcancomprehendGod.Anyonewhothinksthisstraysfarfromthetruth.Godhasarrangedeverythingandmadeeverything:hehasgivensenseandunderstandingandimmortalitytosome,suchastheangels;toothershehasgivensenseandunderstandingwithmortality;and to somehehasgivenneither sense, understanding, nor immortality, such as plants,trees,andstones.Buteven thesecannotbe lacking in theirkind,andbydegreeshehasorderedhiscreation, fromEarthup toHeaven, fromvisible to invisible, frommortal toimmortal. This framework of creation—this most perfectly ordered beauty—ascendingfromlowesttohighest,descendingfromhighesttolowest,neverbroken,butcompoundedofdissimilarthings—allofitpraisesGod.

WhydoesitallpraiseGod?Becausewhenyouthinkaboutit,andseeitsbeauty,inityoupraiseGod.

–St.Augustine,ExpositiononPs.145,13


Have I taken time lately to enjoy thewondersofGod’s creation—byawalk in thepark,forexample,oralookatthestars,orreadingandthinkingabouttheangels—andtopraiseGodforit?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, Ipraiseyou foryourcreation, from themostgloriousangels to thehumblestandtinieststones.

Degreesofknowledge

Eachcreature,saysSt.EphremtheSyrian,hasadegreeofknowledgeproper to it.Thedifferentranksofangelsneveraskquestionsbeyondwhattheyknowtobetheirability.YetsomehumanphilosophersthinktheycanvaultoveralltheranksofangelsandfigureoutthemosthiddensecretsofGod’sownnature!

Theknowledgeofangelssearches inmeasure;humanknowledge roamswithoutmeasure.Yourmercyputinnsandmilestonesinyourway,sothattheunsettleddisputersmightcomeintoorder.Blessedishewhohasmeasuredhiswonderwithhisknowledgesoastoreachtheinns.

Humanknowledge is likea feeble twilightcompared to theangels’knowledge;andeventheangels’knowledgeislikealittletwinklingcomparedtotheSpirit’sknowledge.The Spirit says of the Son, “who shall declare his generation?” (Isa. 53:8). It is purerashnesstorunonbeyondthisboundarywhentheSpiritcameuptoitandstopped.

When the angels searched to learn the generation of the Son, they directed theirquestions to those who were higher than they were; and those great ones learn at thesuggestionoftheSpirit.Asaretheranksofangels,soarethequestionsofangels.Thereisnoneamongthemthatdarestoreachbeyondwhatbelongstohim.Naturewitnessestothisby itsownsubordination: rank leads to rank,up to thatwhich is thecrown.Yethumanbeings,who are of low rank, trespass over the ranks of angels to search into the First-Born!

–St.EphremtheSyrian,Rhythm5


The angels know how far each rank can reach, and do not pretend to reach anyfurther.AmIsometimestemptedtodeclaremyopinionsonthingsIcan’tpossiblyknow?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,grantmethewisdomtounderstandyourmysteriesasfarasIamcapable;butwhenIcannotunderstand,grantmethehumilitytoserveyouinmyproperplace,thewayeachrankofyourangelsservesyou.

Sharingtheknowledgeoftheangels

Dionysius the Areopagite tells us that the angels see the marvelous unity of Godbecause they get their conceptions directly from God. We are too divided andscatterbrained to see that way under normal circumstances; but when we aregatheredtogetherinunity,wecanhavesomethingofthissameexperience.

Fromtheself-existingLifeofGod,thecontemplatedandcontemplatingpowersofthe angelic minds have their simple and blessed conceptions; collecting their divineknowledge, not in portions, or from portions, or sensible perceptions, or detailedreasonings, or arguing from something common to these things, but purified fromeverythingthatismaterialandseparate,theycontemplatetheconceptionsofdivinethingsintuitively, immaterially and uniformly. They have their intellectual power and energyresplendent with the unmixed and undefiled purity, and see at a glance the divineconceptions indivisibly and immaterially. By the godlike One they are molded, asattainablebyreasonofthedivinewisdom,tothedivineandsuper-wisemindandreason.

And souls have their reasoning power, investigating the truth of things by goingthroughthemstepbystep.Throughtheirdividedandmanifoldvarietytheyfallshortofthe singleminds. But when themany are gathered together towards the One, they aredeemedworthyevenofconceptionsequaltotheangels,sofarasisproperandattainabletosouls.



WhenI lookfor the truth,does ithelp to remember thatChristpromisedwewouldsharetheknowledgeoftheangelsintheChurch—thatis,gatheredtogetherliketheangelsabove,ratherthanapart?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,with theCherubimandSeraphimletmeglorifyyouwithoutceasinginyourChurch,crownedandfilledwitheveryaidandblessing,becauseyouareLordandFather,Creatorofall.

AngelsbringusthevisionofGod

ThespeculativephilosopherDionysiustheAreopagitesaysthattheheavenlybeingsdeservetheirtitleof“angel”(whichmeans“messenger”)becausetheybringusthelightofGod,whichtheyexperienceatfirsthand.

Theholyordersoftheheavenlybeingsshareinthesupremelydivineparticipationinahigherdegreethanthingsthatmerelyexist,orthatleadanirrationallife,orthatarerational like ourselves.By imitatingGod, they shape themselves, keeping the image ofGodbeforetheminawaywecannotdo.SincetheyshapetheirintellectualappearanceonthemodelofGod,theynaturallyhaveamorecompletecommunicationwithGodthanwehave.TheunwaveringloveofGodissointensethatitraisesthemeverupwards,asfarasis lawful for them.They receive the lightofGodwithoutanyearthly shadow,and theyalignthemselveswiththatlight,andliveapurelyintellectuallife.

ThesearetheoneswhoparticipateinGodatfirsthand,undermanyforms,andmakeknownwhatishiddeninGod.Forthatreason,thesearemostworthy,beyondallothers,ofthename“angel”or“messenger,”becausethelightofGodcomestothematfirsthand,andtheypassitontous.

Thus theLaw,as theWordofGod tellsus,wasgiven tous throughangels.BeforeandaftertheLaw,angelsledourillustriousancestorstowardGod—eitherbyleadingthemtowhatwastobedone,andawayfromerrorandanunholylifetowardthestraightwayoftruth; orby revealing sacred laws to them,orhiddenvisions, or heavenlymysteries, orcertaindivinepredictionsthroughtheprophets.



When was the last time I looked into the light of God, as revealed in Scripture,throughtheministryofangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, in yourmercy, you have given us the angels as theministers of your light. Ipraise you for your wisdom; I thank you for all you have revealed through yourmessengers.Givemethegracetoseehowtheyservemeinmymindandheart.

Angelsascounselors

In the hierarchy of angels, says St.Gregory theGreat, the lower receive from thehighertheknowledgetheyneedtotransmittous.Angelsareourcounselors,becausetheywantustobewiththeminthekingdomofHeaven.

Fromthingsthathavenosense,wecanlearnhowtounderstandbeingswithsenseandintelligence.

Now, the airmakes the earth fertile, and the quality of the heaven governs the air.Likewise, human beings are placed over animals, and angels over human beings, andarchangelsoverangels.

If the superior powers did not direct the inferior powers in the service of the holyspirits,oneangelwouldneverhave learnedfromanother’s lipswhatheshouldsay toaperson.

TheCreatoroftheuniverseupholdseverythingbyhimself,but—soastomakeupanorder of the universe characterized by beauty—he rules one part through theadministrationofanotherpart.Theangelsarealsorightlycalledcounselors,becausetheycounselforthespiritualcommonwealth,whiletheyuniteustothekingdomasheirsalongwiththem.FromtheirlipswehearthewilloftheCreator;inthem,certainly,wefindthecounseltoescapefromthemiserythatsurroundsus.



DoIlistentowhatmyangelcounselorsaretryingtotellme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,leadmesafelythroughthedangersofthislifetothebosomofGod,asTobiaswasledbacktohisfather.

Spiritualbodies

St.Augustinespeculatesthatangelshaveakindofspiritualbodythatadaptsitselftovarious forms.Buthe’salwayscareful todistinguishwhathehimselfbelieves fromwhateveryoneisrequiredtobelieve.

Doangelshavebodiesadaptedtotheirdutiesandtheirswiftmotionsfromplacetoplace,oraretheyonlyspirits?

Ifwesaythattheyhavebodies,wearemetbythepassage,“Whomakestthyangelsspirits”(Ps.104:4).Butifwesaythattheyhavenobodies,wearemetbythestillgreaterdifficultyinexplaininghow,iftheyhavenobodilyform,itiswrittenthattheyappearedtohumansenses,allowedtheirfeettobewashed,andateanddrankwhatwasprovidedforthem.Itseemstoinvolveusinlessdifficultyifwesaythatangelsarecalled“spirits”inthesamewaythathumanbeingsarecalled“souls”—aswhenitsays(inGenesis) thatacertainnumberof“souls”wentdownwithJacobintoEgypt,notmentioningthattheyhadbodies as well—than if we suppose that angels did all these things when they had nobodilyform.

Butwhetherangelshavebodiesornot,andwhetherornotanyonecanshowhowtheycoulddoall these thingswithoutbodies, still it iscertain that, in thecityof theholy inwhichthoseofthehumanracewhohavebeenredeemedareunitedforevertothousandsofangels,voicesthatcomefromorgansofspeechwillgiveexpressiontothoughtsofmindsinwhichnothing ishidden.For in thatdivine fellowship itwillnotbepossible foranythought in one being to remain concealed from another, but there will be completeharmonyandonenessofheartinthepraiseofGod.Andthiswillbespokennotjustfromthespiritbutthroughthespiritualbodyasitsinstrument.AtleastthisiswhatIbelieve.

–St.Augustine,Letter95


InHeaventherewillbe“completeharmonyandonenessofheart”amongbothpeopleandangels.ButhowcanIworktowardthatgoalwhileI’mstillhereonearth?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,purifymefromalldeceitandhypocrisy,andunitemewithyourholyangelsandallmybrothersandsistersbythebondofpeaceandlove.

Wecan’tunderstandallthemysteriesofHeaven

Onhiswaytomartyrdom,St.IgnatiuswritestotheTralliansthathecouldtellthemmoreaboutHeaven’smysteries—buthe’safraidtoburdenthemwithtoomanythingstheycouldn’tunderstand.

Don’tyouthinkIcouldwritetoyouaboutthingsthatareevenmoremysterious?ButI’mafraidtodoso.Idon’twanttoinjureyou,whoarestillonlybabes.Pleaseexcusemehere:I’mafraidthatyouwouldnotbeabletounderstandtheirweightymeaning,andyouwouldbestrangledbythem.

I’mboundforHeaven,andcanunderstandheavenlythings—theordersofangels,andthedifferent sortsof angels andhosts, thedistinctionsbetweenPowers andDominions,andthedifferencesbetweenThronesandAuthorities,themightinessoftheeons,andthepreeminenceof theCherubimandSeraphim, thesublimityof theSpirit, thekingdomofthe Lord, and above all, the incomparable majesty of Almighty God. But though I’macquainted with these things, that doesn’t mean I’m anything like perfect. I’m not thedisciple thatPeter orPaulwas.Many things are still lacking inme, not to fall short ofGod.

–St.Ignatius,Trallians5


WhentherearethingsinthefaiththatIcan’tunderstand—liketheordersofangelsorthe difference between a Power and a Dominion—do I have the faith to wait forunderstanding?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelsofGod,thoughIknowIcannotyetfullyunderstandyou,IrelyonyourhelpinalwaysleadingmetowardtheincomparablemajestyofAlmightyGod.

Keepspeculationinbounds

Therearemanythingswecantrytoknowaboutangels,saysSt.Augustine,butwecanneverknowforsure.Itcanbegoodtospeculate,butwehavetoadmititfranklywhenwejustdon’tknowtheanswer.

Howis lifearrangedthere in thatblessedheavenlyfellowship?Whatdifferencesarethereinrankamongtheangels?They’reallcalledbythegenericname“angels,”asweread in the letter to theHebrews: “But towhat angel has he ever said, ‘Sit atmy righthand’?”Thisphraseshowsclearlythatthey’reall“angels,”withnoexceptions.Butthereare archangels, too. Shouldwe call these archangels “powers,” so that the line, “Praisehim,allhisangels;praisehim,allhispowers”(Ps.148:2)meansthesameas,“Praisehim,allhis angels;praisehim,allhis archangels”?Whatdifferencesdoes it implywhen theApostleseems to take in theentireheavenlycitywithfournames:“whetherThronesorDominionsorPrincipalitiesorAuthorities”(Col.1:16)?

Ifanyonecananswer thosequestions,goahead.AsfarasI’mconcerned, IconfessthatIdon’tknowanythingaboutit.I’mnotevensureoftheanswertoanotherquestion:whether the sun, the moon, and all the stars belong to that same heavenly fellowship,thoughtheydoseemtobenothingmorethanglowingbodiesthatdon’tfeelorunderstand.

Andaside fromall that,whocanexplainwhatkindofbodies theangelshadwhentheyappearedtopeople,sothattheycouldbenotonlyseenbutalsotouched?Andalso,howdotheybringcertainvisions—notbyphysicalstimulationbutbyspiritualforce—totheeyesof themind—not thephysical eyes,but the spiritual eyes?Howdo they speaksomething,nottotheears,asiftheywereoutsideus,butfromrightinsidethehumansoul—sincetheyarepresentthereaswell?

Toaskquestions like these,and toguess theanswersaswellaswecan, isnot justuselessspeculation—aslongaswekeeptheargumentmoderate,andweavoidthemistakeofthinkingweknowwhatwedon’tknow.

–St.Augustine,Enchiridion,chapter15


Do I indulgemy curiosity for the sake ofmy vanity?Do I ask for the help of theangelsinbecomingamoresincereseekeroftruth?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyGuardianAngel,helpmetoknowGodandtoknowhiscreation,notforthesakeofprideordomination,butforlove.Inthiswaymaymyknowledgebelikeyou.

Rememberyourweakness

St. Augustine probably ventured deeper into the uncharted territories of theologythananyoftheotherFathers.Yethewasalwayscarefultorememberwhathisownlimitswere,andhewasalwaysreadytoconfessthemcandidlytohisreaders.

It certainly is a useful caution tomyself that I should rememberwhatmy ownpowersare,andwarnmybrethrentorememberwhattheirsareaswell.Wemustnotletourhumanweaknesspassbeyondsafelimits.

Idonotknowhowtheangelsdothesethings—or,rather,howGoddoesthesethingsbyhisangels,andhowfarhewillsthemtobedoneevenbytheevilangels,andwhetherhe permits, or commands, or compels them from the hidden seat of his own supremepower.Icannotknowit:Icannotpenetrateitwiththesightoftheeyes,orclearitupbythecertaintyofreason,orreachouttounderstanditwithmyintelligence.

So I cannot answer everyquestion someonemight ask about these things; I cannotspeakascertainlyasifIwereanangel,aprophet,oranApostle.



WhereIdon’tunderstandsomethingaboutChristianteaching—somethingabouttheangelsforexample—doIallowtheApostlesandtheirsuccessorstoenlightenme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian Angel, you knowmy ignorance better than I know it myself; but keep italwaysbeforemymind,sothatImaynotsinthroughprideofknowledge.

ThefaceofGodistheangels’Scripture

WereadGod’sWordintheBible.Buttheangels,saysSt.Augustine,readthewillofGod directly, without sounding out syllables, and this eternal Scripture is alwaysbeforethem.

Letuslook,Lord,“atyourheavens,theworkofyourfingers.”Clearfromoureyesthemistwithwhichyouhavecoveredthem.

Let thempraiseyourname, thosepeopleabovetheheavens,yourangels,whohavenoneedtolookupatthisfirmament,ortogainknowledgeofyourWordbyreading.Letthempraiseyou.Theyalwaysseeyourface,andreadinitwithoutanysyllablesintimewhatyoureternalwillwills.Theyread,theychoose,theylove.Theyarealwaysreading,andwhat they readneverpasses away.For, by choosingand loving, they read theveryunchangeablenessofyourcounsel.Theirbook isnotclosed,nor is thescroll foldedup,becauseyouyourselfaretheirbook,andindeedyouaresoeternally.

–St.Augustine,Confessions,13.15


Could I imitate the angels’ unceasing reading a little better by giving a littlemoretimetoScriptureeachday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father, who sent your Word to live among us, teach me to love your life-givingoracles,andletmereadyourwillasreadilyastheangelsdo.

TheSeraphimdeclaretheTrinity

ArguingagainsttheArians,whoinsistedthattheSonwasnotequaltotheFather,St.Athanasius—the great defender of orthodoxy—says that the angelic hymn “Holy,holy,holy”provestheequalityofthePersonsoftheTrinity.ItisahymnweofferwiththeangelswheneverwegotoMass.

Howcantheseungodlymendaretospeaksuchfoolishness,when—sincethey’reonlymen—theycan’tevenfigureouthowthingsonearthwork?ButwhydoIevensay“things on earth”? Let them explain their own nature. Can they figure out how toinvestigatetheirownnature?

Theycertainlyarerashandwillfuliftheydon’ttrembletolookintothingseventheangels long to look into (1 Pet. 1:12)—the angels who are so far above them, both innatureand in rank.What’snearer toGod than theCherubimor theSeraphim?Yeteventhey don’t seeGod or stand on their feet; they don’t dare offer their praiseswith barefaces, but veil them, while with untiring lips they glorify the divine and indescribablenaturewiththe“Holy,holy,holy.”

And nowhere has any one of the prophets who spoke for God—men who werespeciallyselectedforthatvision—toldusthatthefirst“Holy”isspokeninaloudvoice,the second in a lower voice, and the third very quietly.They don’t tell us that the firstdenoteslordship,thesecondsubordination,andthethirdalowerstatusstill.

No,forgetthefoolishnessofthesesenselessGod-haters.TheTrinity,praised,revered,andadored,isoneandindivisiblewithoutdifferentranks.Itisunitedwithoutconfusion,justastheUnityofGodisdistinguishedwithoutseparation.Thefactthatthesevenerablelivingcreatures(Isa.6,Rev.4)offertheirpraisesthreetimes—“Holy,holy,holy”—provesthatthethreePersonsareperfect,justasinsaying“Lord”theydeclarethattheEssenceisone.

–St.Athanasius,OnLuke10:22andMatthew11:27


DoI imitate theangels in theirapproach to the reality—their reverenceandrespectforthemystery?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Weshouldalwaysgivethankstoyou,Fatheralmighty,whowithyouronlybegottenSon and theHoly Spirit are oneGod, one Lord. In confessing the true and everlastingGodhead—distinctinpersons,oneinbeing,andequalinmajesty—wejointheAngels

andArchangels,CherubimandSeraphimastheypraiseyouwithonevoice:Holy,Holy,Holy!

TheTrinityinthehymnoftheSeraphim

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts,” we sing with the Seraphim (Isa. 6:3). St.AmbroseseesaproclamationoftheTrinityinthatheavenlyhymn.

The Father is holy. The Son is holy. The Spirit is holy. But they are not threeholies. There is only one Holy God, one Lord. The true holiness is one, as the trueGodheadisone.Thetrueholinessofthedivinenatureisone.

EverythingwecallholyproclaimsthatoneHoliness.CherubimandSeraphimpraisehimwithunweariedvoices,saying,“Holy,holy,holyis theLordofhosts.”Theydonotsayitonce,whichmightmakeus thinktherewasonlyone,andnot twice,whichmightexcludetheSpirit.Theydonotsay“holiesare,”whichmightmakeusthinktherewasaplurality. But they repeat the same word three times, so that even in a hymn you canunderstandthedistinctionofthePersonsintheTrinity,andtheonenessoftheGodhead.AndwhiletheysaythistheyproclaimGod.

–St.Ambrose,OntheHolySpirit,3.16


St. Ambrose seems to think that doctrine matters. It is important even to theSeraphim.DoImakeanefforttounderstandwhattheChurchteachesaboutthenatureofGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Glory be to you, O Lord Almighty. The innumerable hosts of Angels, Archangels,Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Authorities, and Powers adore you. The Cherubimandthesix-wingedSeraphim,withtwocoveringtheirfeet,twocoveringtheirheads,andwith twoflying,say,“Holy,holy,holy,Lordofhosts,HeavenandEarthare fullofyourglory.”

TheSeraphimsurroundChristintheflesh

Jesuswasborninhumblecircumstances,buttheeyeoffaith,saysSt.MethodiusofOlympus, can see the tiny child surrounded by the glorious Seraphim even in themanger.

Look!Asathrone,lifteduponhighbythegloryofGodwhomadeit,thevirginmotherismadeready,clearlyfortheKing,theLordofhosts.

ThinkoftheLordcomingtoyounowinsinfulflesh!Onthisvirginal throne,Isay,worshiphim,whonowcomestoyouinthisnewandpraiseworthyway.

Look around you with the eye of faith, and you will find the royal and priestlycompany of the Seraphim around him, as their duty demands. As his bodyguard, theyalwaysattendtheKingwhereverheis.

Thus in this place we say not only that they hymn with their praises the divinesubstance of the divine unity, but also the glory, to beworshiped by all, of the sacredTrinity—which now has come to earth, because God has appeared in the flesh. “Thewholeearth is fullofhisglory,” theysay.Forwebelieve that,alongwith theSon,whowasmademan for our sake, according to hiswill, the Fatherwas also present,who isinseparablefromhiminhisdivinenature,andalsotheSpirit,whoisofoneandthesamebeing.

–St.MethodiusofOlympus,OrationonSimeonandAnna,2


WhenIgo toMass,howwill I seemyparishchurchdifferently if I remember thatChristonouraltarissurroundedbythegloriousSeraphim?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolySeraphim,whodwellintheeternalhomeoflove,lightinmyheartthatholyfirethatconsumesyou.

Thriceholy,oneLord

MakinganargumentwehearmorethanoncefromtheFathers,St.Ambrosetellsusthat the “Holy, holy, holy” sung by the Seraphim (Isa. 6:3) indicates the Trinity:thriceholy,oneLord.IfthatisthewaythepowersofHeavenworship,hesays,thenthatisthewayhewillworship.

TheSeraphimsay“Holy,holy,holy.”

Whatdoesitmean,speakingthesamename“Holy”threetimes?Andifit’srepeatedthreetimes,whyisitonlyoneactofpraise?Ifit’soneactofpraise,whyrepeatitthreetimes?

Whyrepeatitthreetimes,unlessbecausetheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpiritareoneinholiness?

TheSeraphdidnotspeakthenameonce,becausethatmightexcludetheSon.Hedidnotspeakittwice,becausethatmightleaveouttheHolySpirit.Hedidnotspeakitfourtimes,becausethatmightaddinsomecreatedbeings.

ThentoshowthattheGodheadoftheTrinityisone,headded“theLord”—singular—“ofhosts”(Isa.6:3).

HolyistheFather;holyistheSon;andlikewiseholyistheSpiritofGod.ThereforetheTrinityisworshiped,butdoesnotworship—ispraised,butdoesnotpraise.

As for me, I prefer to believe as the Seraphim do, and worship the way all thePrincipalitiesandPowersofHeavenworship.



Whatdoesitmeantoworshipastheangelsandheavenlypowersworship?Isitjustsayingthewords,orisitbeing—asanangelis—aministerandmessengerofGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Thousandsofthousandsofheavenlyspirits,andtenthousandmyriadsofholyangels,hostsofspirits,ministersoffireandspirit,blessandadoreyourmajesty,OLord.Letme,with the holy Cherubim and the spiritual Seraphim, sanctify and celebrate your name,cryingandpraisingwithoutceasing,“Holy,holy,holyistheLordofhosts.”

Praiseandbesilent

The Seraphim and the Cherubim will not even look on God, says St. Ephrem theSyrian,thoughtheystandbyhisthroneandcarryhischariot.Weshouldlearnfromtheir example to praise God unceasingly, and not to second-guess what we havelearnedaboutGod.

TheSeraphthatflieswithwingsistooweaktosearchYouout.Hiswingisweakcompared to You; it cannot be compared with your majesty. The Seraph whose voiceproclaimsYouholymaintainshisreverentialsilenceandkeepsfromsearchingintoYou.

Woetothebold,whentheSeraphcovershisfacewithhiswingsbeforeYou!

ThehostsofCherubimbowdowninfearbeneathyourchariot.Theyveilthemselvesandfeartolookinside.TheycarryYou,butarenotabletofindYou.

Blessed are those who have learned from them the honor due to You, and havepraisedandbeensilentinfear!



EventhegloriousSeraphimarenottooglorioustobehumblebeforeGod.Howmuchofmyprayerlifeisdevotedtosimplepraiseliketheirs?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyangelswhoaresomuchmoregloriousthanIam,teachmeyourloveofhumblepraise.

ThevocalsilenceofGod

St.EphremtheSyrianmeditatesonthemysteriouslyintimatecommunicationbetweentheFatherandtheSon.Ifwecouldunderstandthelanguageoftheangels,hesays,westillwouldnotcomprehendthesilenceinwhichtheFatherspeakstotheSon.

Thehumanearcannothearthemightycrash,norcanithearthestillsilence.ThenhowwillithearthevoiceoftheSon,orthesilenceoftheFather—whenthesilencetooisvocal?

TheheavensdeclarethegloryofGod.Behold:asilence,ofwhichthewholewhispersinalllanguagestoalllanguages.ThisfirmamentdeclaresthegloryofitsMakereveryday.

Wearetoosmalltobeabletohearalllanguages.Butifwewerebigenoughtohearthelanguageoftheangels,whicharespirits, thenwemightliftourselvesuptohearthesilencethatspeaksbetweentheFatherandtheSon.

Our language is incomprehensible to the beasts. The language of angels isincomprehensibletoalltheotherlanguages.AndthatsilencewithwhichtheFatherspeakstohisWell-Belovedisincomprehensibletotheangels.



Though the language of angels is incomprehensible, do I join their praise in theliturgyateveryopportunity?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,whoareaboveall,yoursilence is incomprehensibleeven to theangels,andIamnotworthytoventureintospeculationonyournature.YetIknowthatyourmercyalsoputsmetoshame,andonyourmercyIrely.

AngelshidetheirfacesfromtheTriunemystery

If Christ, the only-begotten Son, has existed from eternity, how was he begotten?Eventheangels,saysSt.Ambrose,hidetheirfacesfromthatmystery,andweshouldfollowtheirexample.

DoyouaskmehowheisaSon,ifhedoesnothaveaFatherexistingbeforehim?ThenIaskyou:whenorhowdoyouthinktheSonwasbegotten?Formetheknowledgeof themystery of his generation ismore than I can reach. Themind fails, the voice isdumb—yes, andnotminealone,but the angels’ too. It is abovePowers, aboveAngels,aboveCherubim, Seraphim, and all that has feeling and thought. For it iswritten, “thepeaceofGod,whichpassesallunderstanding”(Phil.4:7).IfthepeaceofChristpassesallunderstanding,howcansuchamarvelousgenerationnotbeaboveallunderstanding?

Socoveryourfacewithyourhands,liketheangels.Foritisnotyourbusinesstolookintosurpassingmysteries!WeareallowedtoknowthattheSonisbegotten,nottoargueabouthowhewasbegotten.Icannotdenytheone;theotherIfeartosearchinto.IfPaulsaysthatthewordsheheardwhencaughtupintothethirdHeavenmightnotbeuttered(2Cor. 12:2-5), how canwe explain the secret of this generation from and of the Father,whichwecanneitherhearnorreachwithourunderstanding?



When it comes to the deepest mysteries of the Faith, am I willing to show theintellectualmodestyoftheangels,whocovertheirfaceswiththeirwingsratherthangazedeeplyatthemysteriestheycan’tunderstand?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MyGuardianAngel,youknowsomuchmorethanI,andIknowsomuchlessthanIthink I know. Increase my self-knowledge, that I may be humble and grow in theknowledgeofGod.

AngelsknowtheFatherthroughtheSon

OnlytheSontrulyknowstheFather,saysSt.EphremtheSyrian.Nomatterhowfarsuperiortheangelsaretous,they—likeus—cannotknowtheFatherexceptthroughtheSon.

Nomind can reach themighty height of itsMaker. To go above this height, orbelowit, ismerely topry like theover-curious.Theyharry themselves tocomeupwithsomelikenessofhimwhoisonlylikehimself.Theyallgoastraywhentheytrytoknowhim,becausetheOnly-Begottenistheonlyonewhoknowshim.

Heisnotofthefamilyofcreatedthings,sotheycannotlookintohimasifheweretheirequal.Heisnotoneofthethingsframed,sothatwecoulddescribehim.Heisnotlike theangels,so that theycouldpry intohimas ifhewere their relative.HeisnotanequaloftheCherubim,whocarryhimasLord.HedoesnotflyamongtheSeraphim,sincehisgloryisattherighthand.Heisnotwiththeministeringspirits,sincewithhisFatherheisministeredto.AllthehostsofHeavenareentrustedtohiscommand.TheycannotseetheFatherwithout theFirst-Born, theirCommander,becausewithouthimtheywerenotframedwhentheyweremade.

The eye is enough for the light, and with it the whole body is lightened. The earunderstandsthevoice,andthelimbshearbyit.Themouthtastesfood,andthewholebodytastesbyitandwithit.

Inthesameway,bytheSonwhoisfromhisbosomdotheangelsseetheFather;byhimtheyhearhisvoiceaswell;byhimtheyreceivehisgift.

–St.EphremtheSyrian,Rhythm1ontheFaith


If even angels can know the Father only through the Son, am I taking everyopportunitytocultivatetheacquaintanceoftheSon?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MyGuardianAngel,youweresentbygodtobemyfaithfulguide.AlwaysleadmetotheSon,throughwhomaloneIcanknowtheFather.

TheSonhastheunceasingpraiseofangels

Christ didn’t perform miracles because he wanted to show off, says St. Hilary ofPoitiers.Afterall,hehasall thehostsofheavenpraisinghimwithoutceasing.No,hismiracleswereperformedsothatwemightbelieveandbesaved.

ThereisnodeceptioninthesemiraclesofGod,nosubtlepretensetopleaseortodeceive.TheseworksoftheSonofGodwerenotdonefromanydesiretoshowoff.Hewhom countless angels serve never deluded us.What didwe have that he could need,wheneverythingwehavewascreatedthroughhim?Didheneedtohavepraisefromuswhoarefirstheavywithsleep,andthensatedwithlust,andthenloadedwiththeguiltofriotandbloodshed,andthendrunkfromreveling—hewhomArchangels,andDominions,andPrincipalities,andPowers,withoutsleepingorstoppingorsinning,praiseinHeavenwitheverlastingandunweariedvoice?

Theypraisehimbecausehe,theImageoftheInvisibleGod,createdalltheirhostinhimself,madetheworlds,establishedtheheavens,appointedthestars,fixedtheearth,laidthe foundations of the deep; because in a later time hewas born, he conquered death,brokethegatesofhell,wonforhimselfapeopletobehisfellow-heirs,liftedfleshfromcorruptionuptothegloryofeternity.

Therewasnothing,then,thathemightgainfromusthatcouldinducehimtotakeonthesplendorofthesemysteriousandinexplicableworks,asthoughheneededourpraise.But God foresaw how human sin and folly would be misled, and knew that disbeliefwoulddaretopassitsjudgmentevenonthethingsofGod,andthereforehevanquishedpresumptionbytokensofhispowerthatmustgivepausetoourboldest.

–St.HilaryofPoitiers,OntheHolyTrinity,3.7


Christdoesnotneedtheprayersofhumanbeingsorangels,yethecallsustogethertopraisehim.DoItakedelightintheliturgicalworshipIsharewiththeChurchonEarthandtheangelsinHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Inthecompanyofangels,IpraisetheLord.IgivethankstotheLordwithmywholeheartinacongregationthatisbothearthlyandheavenly.

ToChristthroughChrist

Thetruthistheway,saysSt.Augustine.TheonlywaytoChrististhroughChrist.Weeatthebreadofangelsbecause“theWordbecamefleshanddweltamongus.”

Ifyouarelookingfortruth,sticktotheWay—forthetruthistheWay.Thetruthisthedestination towhichyouaregoing,and it is theWaybywhichyougo.Youarenotgoingbyonethingasyourwaytosomethingelseasyourdestination;youarenotcomingtoChristbysomethingthatisotherthanChrist.YouarecomingtoChristthroughChrist.

Whatdoesthatmean,toChristthroughChrist?

ThroughChristtheMantoChristtheGod.ThroughtheWordmadeflesh,totheWordthatinthebeginningwaswithGod,andwasGod(John1:1).Fromwhathumanbeingsusedtoeattothebreadthatangelseateveryday.Forthisiswhatiswritten:he“gavethemthegrainofHeaven.Manateofthebreadoftheangels”(Ps.78:24-25).

Inwhatsensedidmaneatof thebreadof theangels?“AndtheWordbecamefleshanddweltamongus”(John1:13).

St.Augustine,Homily13ontheGospelofJohn,4


Do I alwaysmove fromordinarybread toward thebreadof angelsDo I start fromfaithasmypointofdeparture?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LordJesusChrist,feedmewiththebreadofangels,sothatImaysenduppraisetoyounowandforever.

Evenangelscan’treallyseeGod

St.Augustine,quotingSt.Jerome,tellsusthatwewillneverreallyknoweverythingaboutGod,becausethat is impossible foranycreature.We’llbemadeequal to theangels,butevenangelscan’treallyseeGod’struenature.

St.Jeromesays,“ThehumaneyecannotseeGodasheisinhisownnature.Andthis is not true only of human beings. Neither angels, nor Thrones, nor Powers, norPrincipalities,noranythingwecannamecanseeGod,fornocreaturecanseeitsCreator.”

By thesewords this very learnedman clearly showswhat his opinionwas on thissubjectinregardnotonlytothepresentlife,butalsotothelifetocome.Howevermuchtheeyesofourbodymaybechangedforthebetter,theywillonlybemadeequaltotheeyes of the angels.Here, however, Jerome has told us that the nature of theCreator isinvisibleeventotheangels,andtoeverycreaturewithoutexceptioninHeaven.

Butifaquestionshouldariseonthispoint,andsomeoneshouldwonderwhetherwemightnotbesuperiortotheangels,themindoftheLordhimselfisplainfromthewordsheusesinspeakingofthosewhowillriseagaintothekingdom:“theyareequaltoangels”(Luke20:36).



If the angels can never see God in his true nature, certainly we can’t. But wherewouldIlooktogetagoodideaofwhatGodlookslike?Howaboutatahomelessshelter?Oranursinghome?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Remember, Lord, the poor, thewidows, the orphans, and the needywho bear yourimage.Sendyourangelstoguidethemandministertothemintheirtroubles.

Angelsconfesstheirignorance

Angels see the majesty of God, says St. Gregory the Great, but they cannotunderstandit.LikeJob,weshouldbereadytoadmit thatwecan’tdebateonequaltermswithGod.

“God,whosewrathnomancanresist,andunderwhomtheystoopthatbearuptheworld”(Job9:13).

When it says “under whom they stoop that bear up the world,” we may alsounderstandtheangelicpowers.They“bearuptheworld”inthattheyperformthedutiesofgoverningtheuniverse—asPaultellsuswhenhesays,“Aretheynotallministeringspiritssentforthtoserve,forthesakeofthosewhoaretoobtainsalvation?”(Heb.1:14).

Sowhenhesays“God,whosewrathnomancanresist,andunderwhomtheystoopthatbearuptheworld,” it’sas ifhewereseeingthehumiliationofeverycreatedbeing,andsaidinfearandtrembling,“Whoamongweakmortalsresistsyournod,beforewhosemighteventheangelicpowersstoop?”

Orcertainly,sinceweseenothingof thingsaboveuswhenwestoop, thosesubtlestspiritsmusthave stood straight if theycompletely reached thepowerofGod’smajesty.Butalthough,whentheyareliftedup,theydoseetheloftinessofthedivinenature,yetnoteventheangelicpowersmanagetocomprehendit;therefore“theystoopthatbearuptheworld.”

Andsincetherighteousman,fromhisweakness,cannotunderstandthedivinenature,herememberswhoheiswithcarefulhumility,andmakeshimselfsmallinhisowneyescomparedwiththeomnipotenceoftheSupremeMajesty,saying,“HowthencanIanswerhim,choosingmywordswithhim?”(Job9:14).



When thingsseem togobadly forme,amI tempted tosecond-guessGod?Does ithelptorememberthateventherighteousJob—eventheangelsthemselves—couldneverreallyunderstandthedivinenature?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel, teachme to remembermy ignorance, and ask forgiveness for thesinsIdonotknow.

Evenangelsdon’tseetheessenceofGod

AngelsarespiritualbeingsthatliveinthepresenceofGod.YeteventheyneversawGod until Christ was manifested in the flesh, says St. John Chrysostom. Createdbeingssimplyaren’tcapableofgazingontheUncreated,butGodlovedussomuchthathecametousinawaywecouldseeandunderstand.

Since his Son was about to appear in the flesh, God had been preparing theprophetsforalongtimetoseethesubstanceofGod,asfarasitwaspossibleforthemtoseeit.

Butnotonlyhave theprophetsnot seenwhatGod really is,butnotevenangelsorarchangels.Ifyouaskthem,youwon’thearthemansweranythingabouthisessence,butonlysinging,“GlorytoGodinthehighest,andonearthpeaceamongmenwithwhomheispleased”(Luke2:14).IfyouwanttolearnsomethingfromtheCherubimorSeraphim,you’ll hear themystic song of his holiness, and that “Heaven andEarth are full of hisglory” (Isa. 6:3). If youask thehigherpowers, you’ll findout that their only task is topraiseGod.“Praisehim,allhisangels,praisehim,allhishost!”saysDavid(Ps.148:2).

OnlytheSonandtheHolyGhostseehim.HowcananycreatednatureevenseetheUncreated?Wecan’tevenseeanyincorporealspiritatall,eventhecreatedones,aswe’veoftenprovedwith theangels.Thenhowcouldwediscern the incorporealanduncreatedEssence?

ThisiswhyPaulsays,“whomnomanhaseverseenorcansee”(1Tim.6:16).

Furthermore, Paul shows that he is invisible not just to us, but also to the powersabove: after he says, “He was manifested in the flesh,” he adds that he was “seen byangels.”Sohebecamevisibleeventotheangelswhenheputontheflesh,butbeforethattime,theydidn’tseehimthatway,becauseeventothemhisessencewasinvisible.

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily15ontheGospelofJohn


DoIlovetheLord’sincarnationallthemorebecauseitisagifttoangelsaswellastohumanbeings?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyGuardianAngel,letuslooktogetheronthegloriesofredemption.LetuspraiseGodtogether.Letusthankgodtogether.Maywedothistogetherthroughalleternity.

“NoteventheangelsinHeaven”

AsScripturetellsus,noteventheangelsinHeavenknowwhenChristwillcometoEarthagain.St.AugustineseesPsalm10asadescriptionoftheworldreadyforthereturnofChristasKing.

Now,afterthehiddenthingsoftheSon,ofwhichmanythingshavebeensaidinthisPsalm,theendofthesamePsalmwillsayalittleabouttheapparentthingsoftheSon.Butthetitleisgivenfromthehiddenthings,whichtakeupthelargerpartofthePsalm.

Indeed,theverydayoftheLord’scomingmayberightlycountedamongthehiddenthingsof theSon,although theverypresenceof theLord itselfwillbeapparent.Forofthat day it is said, “no one knows, not even the angels inHeaven, nor theSon” (Mark13:32)WhatcanbemorehiddenthanwhatissaidtobehiddeneventotheJudgehimself—notasregardsknowledge,butdisclosure?

ButconcerningthehiddenthingsoftheSon,evenifyouprefertotakeitnotastheSonofGod,butasDavidhimself,towhosenamethewholePsalterisattributed(forthePsalms,asweknow,arecalledthePsalmsofDavid),thenlistentothosewordsinwhichitissaidtotheLord,“Havemercyonus,SonofDavid”(Matt.20:30),andsoeveninthiswayunderstandthesameLordChrist,concerningwhosehiddenthingsis theinscriptionofthisPsalm.Forsolikewiseisitsaidbytheangel:“theLordGodwillgivetohimthethroneofhisfatherDavid”(Luke1:32).



Sincenoteven theangelsknowthe time,amI readyfor thecomingofChrist rightnow?Whatwouldittaketomakemeready?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LordJesusChrist,sendmeyourangelstokeepmysoulpure,sothatImaybereadyforyourgloriouscoming,whenyouwilljudgethelivingandthedeadaccordingtotheirworks.

AngelsspeaktoGodinadmiration

Howdoangels“speak”toGod?Theirloveandadmirationareclearspeech,saysSt.GregorytheGreat.WhentheycontemplateGod,theyfeelinthemselvestheemotionsthatRevelationexpressesinwords:“WorthyistheLambwhowasslain.”

ButtheangelsspeaktoGodinadifferentway.Forexample,intheRevelationofJohn they say, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth andwisdom”(Rev.5:12).ThevoiceoftheangelspraisingGodisitselfsimplytheadmirationofinnercontemplation.

To be speechless at thewonders of divine goodness is to speakwith a voice. TheemotionoftheheartmovedwithafeelingofaweisapowerfulvoicewhenitspeakstotheearsofaSpiritthathasnolimits.Thisvoiceseemstounfolditselfindistinctwords,whileitshapesitselfinthecountlessdifferentwaysofadmiration.

SoGodspeakstoangelswhentheyperceivehisinnerwillasitisrevealedtothem.ButangelsspeaktotheLordwhen,bycontemplatingwhatisabovethem,theyriseuptoemotionsofadmiration.

–St.GregorytheGreat,MoraliainJob,2.8-9


WhenIcontemplatethedivine,whatdomyemotionsspeakintheearoftheSpirit?Ismyspeechaclearhymnofpraiseliketheangels’orisitallmixedupwiththecaresoftheday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,whoneverceasepraising,teachmetobringtotheLordapuresacrificeofthanksgiving.

Godspeakstoangelsintheircontemplation

Goddoesn’treallygiveverbalcommandstotheangels,saysSt.GregorytheGreat.Instead,bycontemplatingGod,whichistheirgreatestdelight,theangelsunderstandwhatGodwillsthemtodo.

But,again,weneedtounderstandthat,evenwhenanincorporealnatureissaidto“speak,” it does not always “speak” in the sameway. There is oneway inwhichGodspeaks to the angels, and another inwhich the angels speak toGod.God speaks to thesoulsof thesaints inoneway,and thesoulsof thesaints speak toGod inanotherway.AndGodspeakstothedevilinoneway,andthedevilspeakstoGodinanotherway.

Sincethereisnobarrierinthewayofaspiritualbeing,Godspeakstotheholyangelsjustbyrevealinghismysterioussecretstotheirhearts,sothat,justbycontemplatingthetruth, they readwhat they are supposed to do.The delights of contemplation are like akindofvocalcommandtothem.Whatisinspiredinthemwhentheycontemplateisasifitwerespokentothem,andtheyheardit.



DoIsetasidesometimejustforcontemplation,tryingtohearGodthewaytheangelshearhim?DoesithelpmeunderstandGod’swillforme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father, letmepraiseyou,singofyou,blessyou,worshipyou,glorifyyou,andgiveyou thanks together with the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim whosurroundyourthrone.

Theinnerspeechofspiritualbeings

WhenScripturesaysthattheLord“speaks”toanangel,saysSt.GregorytheGreat,weneedtorememberthatangelsdon’thavelungsandthroatsandalltheorgansofspeech.Thesethingsbelongtohumanbeings,whoaremixturesofmindandbody.

We need to give this careful consideration: what it means to say that the Lordspeaks to Satan, or Satan answers the Lord. We need to figure out what it means by“speaking.”

NeithertheLord(whoisthesupremeandboundlessSpirit)norSatan(whodoesnothaveafleshlynature)breathesinairwiththelungs,likehumanbeings,sothatitshouldbeforced backout through the throat in vocal sounds.When the incomprehensibleNature“speaks”toaninvisiblenature,ourimaginationneedstoriseabovethepropertiesofourownbodilyspeechandbelifteduptothesublimeandunknownwaysofinnerspeech.

Whenweneed to express something thatweknow inwardly,wedo so through thevocalcords,bythesoundsofthevoice,because,asfarasotherscansee,westandinthesecretdwellingplaceofthemindbehindthebodyasifitwereasortofcurtain.Whenwewanttomakeourselvesknown,wegooutthroughthedoorofthetongue,sotospeak,toshowwhatkindofpeopleweareinside.

But that isnot trueofaspiritualnature,which isnotabinarymixtureofmindandbody.



WhenIspeak,whatkindofpersondo I revealstandingbehind thecurtain?Do thepeoplewhohearmeseeanangeloradevil?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,bewithmewheneverIspeak,sothatImaycallontheLordwithapureheartandwithsanctifiedlips.

WhendidGodmakeangels?

St.AugustinenotesthatBiblescholarsdon’tagreeonwhatitmeantwhenGodsaid,“Lettherebelight.”Thesun,moon,andstarsweremadelater.Wasthisfirst“light”thespiritsoftheangels?Wecan’tknowwithcertainty.Butwecanknowthatitwascreated,andGodwastheCreator.

So,whendarknesswasoverthedeep,hewhowasLightsaid,“Lettherebelight.”

FromwhatLightthislightcameisclear;forthewordsare,“Godsaid.”Butitisnotsoclearexactlywhatlightwasmade.TherehasbeenafriendlydiscussionamongstudentsofthesacredScripturesaboutwhetherthiswaswhenGodmadethelightinthemindsoftheangels—or,inotherwords,theserationalspiritsthemselves—orwhetheritwassomematerial light thatexists in thehigher regionsof theuniversebeyondourknowledge. Itwas on the fourth day that hemade the visible luminaries of heaven. And it is also aquestionwhetherthesebodiesweremadeatthesametimeastheirlight,orweresomehowkindledfromthelightmadealready.

Butwhoeverreadsthesacredwritingsinthepiousspiritthatisrequiredtounderstandthemmust be convinced that,whatever the lightwas thatwasmadewhen, at the timewhendarknesswasoverthedeep,Godsaid,“Lettherebelight,”itwascreatedlight,andthecreatingLightwasthemakerofit.

–St.Augustine,ReplytoFaustustheManichean,10


WhenIreadScripture,isitinapiousspirit?DoIhavethefaithtoacceptthattherewill always be some things—like the creation of angels—that I can’t completelyunderstand?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,bewithmeasIcontemplatetheScriptures,andleadmeawayfromthetemptationtojudgewhatIcannotunderstand.

ThemysteryoftheSeraphim

St.EphremtheSyrianpoeticallydescribesthemysteriesofdivinethings.EventhesixwingsoftheSeraphimisanideatoohighandtoodeepforustosearchout.

InthebeginningGodcreatedallthings,andhisThoughtwaswithhimwithoutanybeginning.Hedidnotthinkasahumanthinks;hewasnotmovedinanynewway,asachildof flesh ismoved.Hismovementwasnotnew,norwashis thought fresh.Buthisknowledgecomesbeforetimesandtranscendsbeginnings.

ThenaturesoftheSeraphimareconcealedfromus,sothatwemustaskhowanangelhassixwings,andwhatitswingsare,andwheretheyare,andhowaspiritneedstoflybymeansofwings.

Is this aparable, or is it plain truth? If it is truth, it is averyhiddenone. If it is ametaphor,itisaveryperplexingone.

ThatinfinitehiddenBeing,then,iswithdrawnfromus,andsearchingintohimistoodeepforfeeblemen,andseekingafterhimtoohighformortals.Whoshallflyuptohisheight,orsearchouthisdepths?



When Scripture is too deep or hard for me to understand, where do I look forguidance?HaveIaskedtheangelsthemselvesfortheirhelpinunderstandingthem?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,bemyguideasIcontemplatethemysteriesofScripture,andhelpmehavepatiencewhenIcannotunderstandeverythingatonce.

Thesaintswilltaketheplaceofthefallenangels

When Satan and his followers were cast out of Heaven, it reduced the number ofangels.Thesaints,saysSt.Augustine,willreplacetheangelswhowerelost,sothatHeavenwillhaveitsfullnumberofcitizens,andmaybe—inGod’sgenerosity—evenmore.

Someoftheangels, intheirwickedpride,desertedGod,andwerethrownoutofthebrightnessoftheirheavenlyhomeintothelowestdarkness.ButtheremainingangelsstayedineternalblissandholinesswithGod.

These faithful angels were not all descended from one single angel, fallen andcondemned.Theoriginalevilthusdidnotbindthemallintheshacklesofinheritedguilt,and it did not turn thewhole group over to just punishment, theway it happenedwithhumans. Instead, when the one who became the devil first rebelled with his wickedcompanyandwasthendefeated,therestoftheangelsstayedobedienttotheLord.Sotheyreceivedwhattheothershadnothad:acertainknowledgeoftheireverlastingsecurityinGod’sunfailingsteadfastness.

Since not all the angels had perished in this desertion ofGod, it pleasedGod thatthosewhohadperishedwouldremainlostforever,butthosewhohadstayedloyalintherevoltwouldgoonrejoicinginthecertainknowledgethattheywouldhaveeternalbliss.

Theotherpartoftherationalcreation,mankind,hadcompletelyperishedthroughitsownsins,bothoriginalandpersonal,andthepunishmentsforthem.ButGoddecidedthatapartofmankindwouldberestored,andwouldmakeupthelossthatthedisasterofthedevilhadmade in the societyof theangels.For this is thepromise to the saints: at theresurrection,theywillbeequaltotheangelsofGod(Wis.11:20).

ThustheheavenlyJerusalem,ourmotherandthecommonwealthofGod,willnotbecheatedofherfullnumberofcitizens.Instead,shemayenduprulingoveranevenlargernumber.

–St.Augustine,Enchiridion,28-29


Rightnow,amImakingmyselfreadytotakemyplaceamongtheangels?WillIbefitforcitizenshipintheheavenlyJerusalem?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,makemereadytopraiseyouinthenewJerusalem,withtheheavenlyassemblyand the church of the first-born that are written in Heaven; spirits of the just and of

prophets; souls of martyrs and of apostles; Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominions,Principalities,Authorities,anddreadPowers.

Lightanddarkness

Genesis 1:4 says that “God separated the light from the darkness”; St. Augustinesuggeststhatitreferstotheseparationofthegoodangelsfromtheevilangels.Butevenifthat’snotwhattheoriginalauthorintended,hesays,describingtheonegroupas“light”andtheotheras“darkness”isstillaccurate.

“Godopposestheproud,butgivesgracetothehumble”(James4:6).Onegrouplives in theHeavenof heavens; the other is thrownout of there, and rages through thelowerregionsoftheair.Oneistranquilinthebrightnessofpiety,theothertempest-tossedwithdesiresthatcloudtheway.One,atGod’spleasure,tenderlyhelpsandjustlyavenges;theother,attackedbyitsownpride,boilswiththelustofconqueringandhurting.OneistheministerofGod’sgoodnesstotheutmostoftheirgoodpleasure;theotheriskeptbackbyGod’spowerfromdoingtheharmitwantstodo.Thefirstlaughsatthesecondwhenitdoesgoodunwillinglybyitspersecutions;thesecondenviesthefirstwhenitgathersinitspilgrims.

Thesetwoangeliccommunities,then,aredifferentfromandcontrarytooneanother,theonebothbynaturegoodandbywillupright,theotheralsogoodbynaturebutbywilldepraved.Weseethemthusinotherandmoreexplicitpassagesofholywrit,butIthinktheyarespokenofinthisbookofGenesisunderthenamesoflightanddarkness.

Andeveniftheauthormighthavehadadifferentmeaning,yetourdiscussionhasnotbeenwastedtime;for,thoughwehavenotbeenabletodiscoverhismeaning,yetwehavestuck to the rule of faith,which the faithful gatherwell enough fromother passages ofequalauthority.For,thoughitisthematerialworksofGodthatarespokenofhere,theyhavecertainlyaresemblancetothespiritual,sothatPaulcansay,“Foryouareallsonsoflightandsonsoftheday;wearenotofthenightorofdarkness”(1Thess.5:5).



InSt.Augustine’sdescription,whichmost resemblesmyown inner life: the lifeofthefallenangels,orthelifeoftheholyangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,humbleangels,mayIdesirewhatyoudesire—toserve—that ImaybefoundinthecityofGodatthefulfillmentofhistory.

TherightandlefthandsofGod

Theheavenly host stands at the right and left hands ofGod.One side is the goodangels,saysSt.GregorytheGreat,andonesideistheevilangels.BothserveGod,thoughtheevilonesareworkingfortheirownevilpurposes.

“IsawtheLordsittingonhis throne,andall thehostofHeavenstandingbesidehimonhisrighthandandonhisleft”(1Kings22:19).

Whatisthe“throne”oftheLord,unlessweunderstanditastheangelicpowers?Heisenthronedonhighintheirminds,andthushecontrolseverythingbelow.

Whatis“thehostofHeaven,”unlessitmeansthemanyministeringangels?

Thenwhydoes it say that thehostofHeaven stands“onhis righthandandonhisleft”?SinceGodexistsineverything,andisalsooutsideeverything,heisnotlimitedbyrightandlefthands.

But the right handofGod is the elect part of the angels, and the left handofGodmeansthefallenpartoftheangels.NotjustthegoodserveGodbythehelptheygiveus,butthewickedalsoservehimbythetrialstheyinflictonus—notjusttheoneswholiftupanyonewhoturnsbackfromsin,butalsothewickedwhopushdownanyonewhorefusestoturnback.

SotheangelichoststandsontherighthandandonthelefthandofGod:thewilloftheelectspiritsharmonizeswiththedivinemercy,andthemindsofthefallenones,whentheyservetheirownevilends,obeythejudgmentofGod’ssterndecrees.



DoIwork inharmonywith theDivineMercy,as theholyangelsdo?OrdoesGodhavetoworkhiswillinspiteofme,ashedoeswiththefallenangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,teachmetoserveGodineverythingwithmyownwill,asyoudo,sothatatlastImayjoinyouinpraisingGodeternallyinHeaven.

Dayandnight

St. Gregory theGreat sees an image of Satan in the “day” and “night” that Jobcurses.Satan isa falseday,promisingus the lightbutactually leadingus into thedarknessofdeath.

“LetthedayperishwhereinIwasborn,andthenightwhichsaid,‘Aman-childisconceived’”(Job3:3).

Satanpresentshimselfasthe“day,”inthatheseducesuswithprosperity.Andhisendisinthedarknessofthe“night,”becauseheleadsustoadversity.Thusheshowedusdaywhenhesaid,“inwhatdaysoeveryoushalleat thereof,youreyesshallbeopened:andyou shall be asGods” (Gen. 3:5). And he brought on the nightwhen he led us to thedarknessofmortality.

The day, then, is the promise he gives us of better things, but the night is theexperienceofevilsthatactuallypresentsitself.Theoldenemyistheday,becausehewascreatedgoodbynature;butheisthenight,becauseheissunkdeepdownintodarknessbyhis own fault.He is daywhenhe disguises himself as an angel of light in our eyes bypromisinggoodthings—asPaulconfirms,saying,“forevenSatandisguiseshimselfasanangel of light” (2Cor. 11:14).But he is nightwhen he clouds theminds of thosewhoallowhimwiththedarknessoferror.



HoweasilyamIledastraybySatan’spromisesofprosperity?DoIletthelureofeasymoneytemptmeintodoingthingsmyconsciencedoesn’tlike?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,yourangelspraiseyoubydayandnightwithoutceasing.Teachmetodothesame,withvoice,lips,andheart.

Godwasinchargeofcreation

Somehereticshavebelievedthatthedevilandhisangelscreatedtheworldagainstthe wishes of the goodGod. St. Irenaeus says they’re suggesting that God is lesscompetentthanagoodforemanataconstructionsite.

Now,somesaythattheworldwasformedbyangels,orbysomeothermakerofit,againstthewillofthesupremeFather.Butthey’rewrong,firstofall,inthismainpoint:whentheysaythatangelsformedsuchagreatandmightycreation,againstthewillofGodMostHigh.

ThatwouldimplythattheangelsweremorepowerfulthanGod—or,ifnot,thenthatGodwascareless,orinferior,orpaidnoattentiontothosethingsthatwerehappeninginhisownpossessions.Itimpliesthathedidn’tcarewhethertheyturnedoutwellorbadly,so that he could prevent them from turningout badly, andpraise and rejoice over theirturningoutwell.

We wouldn’t even expect a man who was at all competent to act that way. Wecertainlycouldn’texpectitfromGod!

–St.Irenaeus,AgainstHeresies,2.2


IfGodmadecreationthewayhewantedit,howdoeswhatIdowithmyownfreewillcorrespondtoGod’splanfortheworld?DoIremembertoaskforangelichelpinknowingandfollowingGod’swill?

CLOSINGPRAYER

O Lord, together with the Seraphim and Cherubim and all the hosts of Heaven, Ipraiseyouforthegloriesofcreation.

ReasontellsusGodisourRuler

Againsthereticswhoclaimedthatangelsorasub-divinecreatormadetheuniversewithoutknowingabouttheSupremeGod,St.Irenaeussaysthatnointelligentbeingcanbesoignorant.AllbeingswithreasonknowthatthereisaGod,andthatheisourRuler.

Andhowcouldeither theangelsor thesupposedcreatorof theworldhavebeenignorant of the Supreme God? They were his property, and his creatures, and werecontainedbyhim.

It’s true that he might have been invisible to them because of his superiority, butbecause of his providence he certainly could not have been unknown to them. Eventhoughitistrue,astheysay,thattheirinferioritykeptthemveryfarseparatedfromhim,yet itwas fitting for them toknow theirRuler, sincehisdominionextendedover them.Andtheyespeciallyhadtobeawareofthis:thathewhocreatedthemisLordofall.Sincehis invisible essence ismighty, it gives every creature a profoundmental intuition andperceptionofhispowerful—infactomnipotent—greatness.

Therefore,although“nooneknowstheSonexcepttheFather,andnooneknowstheFatherexcepttheSonandanyonetowhomtheSonchoosestorevealhim”(Matt.11:27),stillallbeingsdoknowatleastthisonefact,becausereasonhasbeenimplantedintheirminds,anditmovesthemandrevealstothemthatthereisoneGod,theLordofall.



Like theangels, Ihave thegiftof reason that tellsme there isaGod.DoIusemyreasonastheydo,tounderstandGod’swillandtoservehim?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,youwerenever ignorantof theSupremeGod,andyouchose toserve.Strengthenmeinmyresolve,sothatImayserveGodeternallywithyou.

Whydidn’tGodpreventevil?

Couldn’tGodhavemadecreationsothatevilneverhappened?Yes,hecouldhave,saysSt.JustinMartyr.ButGodknewthatcreationwouldbebetterifbothweandtheangelshadfreewill.

Couldn’tGodhavecutoff theserpent inthebeginning,sothatheneverexisted,ratherthansaying,“Iwillputenmitybetweenyouandthewoman,andbetweenyourseedandherseed”(Gen.3:15)?Couldn’thehavecreatedamultitudeofpeopleallatonce?

ButsinceGodknewthatitwouldbegood,hecreatedbothangelsandhumanbeingsfreetodowhatisrighteous,andhesetperiodsoftimeduringwhichheknewitwouldbegoodforthemtobeabletoexercisetheirfreewill.Andbecausehealsoknewitwouldbegood, he made general and particular judgments. But each one’s freedom of will waslimited.

Thus Scripture says this when the tower was destroyed and the languages weredividedandaltered:“Behold,theyareonepeople,andtheyhaveallonelanguage;andthisisonlythebeginningofwhattheywilldo;andnothingthattheyproposetodowillnowbeimpossibleforthem”(Gen.11:6).

–St.JustinMartyr,DialoguewithTrypho,102


DoItendtosecond-guessGod,askingwhyheallowedSatantofallandAdamandEve tosin?Wouldn’t ithelp if I remembered that these thingsareaconsequenceof thedivinegiftoffreewillthatGodgavenotonlytotheangelsbuttomeaswell?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,Godmadeusbothwithfreewill.Helpmealwaystochoosetherightpath,asyoudo,sothatintheendwemaybothadoreourCreatorinHeaven.

Thedevilhasfreewill—andsohavewe

GodmadeSatangood,saysSt.JohnofDamascus.Hefellintoevilbyhisownfreechoice,notbecauseofthenatureGodgavehim.Andwealsohavefreewill.Thedevilcanattackuswith temptations,butheneverhas thepowertooverwhelmusunlesswegiveittohim.

Outofthoseangelicpowers,theonewhowassetovertheearthlyrealmtoguardtheearthwasnotmadewickedbynature.Hewasmadegood,andforgoodpurposes,andhisCreatorputnotraceofevilinhim.ButhedidnotkeepupthebrightnessandhonortheCreator had given him, and—by his free choice—was changed from being in harmonywithhisownnaturetogoingagainstit.ThushebecameangrywithGodanddecidedtorebelagainsthim.Hewasthefirsttoleavethegoodandbecomeevil…butalongwithhimwent an innumerable host of angels under him, who followed him and shared his fall.Theywereofthesamenatureastheangels,buttheybecamewicked,turningawayfromgoodtoevilbytheirownfreechoice.

ThustheyhavenopowerorstrengthagainstanyoneexceptwhenGod,aspartofhisplan,allowsit—ashedidagainstJob(Job1:12)andthepigsmentionedintheGospels(Mark5:13).WhenGodallowsit,theyhavetheirway,andtheycanchangeintoanyformtheylike.

Soallwickednessandall impurepassionsaretheirwork.Butwhiletheyhavebeengiventhelibertytoattackus,theydonothavethestrengthtoovercomeanyone.Wehaveitinourpowertoreceivetheattackornot.Thatiswhyunquenchablefireandeverlastingpunishmenthavebeenpreparedforthedevilandhisdemonsandallwhofollowthem.

Weshouldalsorememberthatthefallistotheangelswhatdeathistous:thereisnopossibilityofrepentanceforthemafterthefall,justasthereisnorepentanceforusafterdeath.



Ifthedevilandhisdemonsareconstantlyattackingme,amIchoosingtoresistortosuccumb? What choices have I made just today that were victories for the demonicpowers?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,delivermefromeverytemptationofthedevil,andsendyourSpirittoguidemywill.

Godgaveusandtheangelsfreewill

St. JustinMartyr says thatGod gave us and the angels freewill so thatwe couldchooserighteousness.God,whoisomniscient,knowsaheadoftimethatsomeofhiscreatureswillchooseevil,butthatdoesnotmeanhecreatedthemforevil.Theirownwillshaveactedfreelyinchoosingit.

Godwantedhumanbeingsandangelstofollowhiswill.Soheresolvedtocreatethem free to dowhatwas righteous.Hegave them reason, so that they could knowbywhomtheywerecreated,andthroughwhomtheyexist,whentheydidnotexistbefore.Hegavethemalawthattheywouldbejudgedbyhimiftheydidanythingcontrarytorightreason. And by ourselves we—both human beings and angels—will be convicted ofhavingactedsinfullyunlesswerepentbeforehand.

ButifthewordofGodforetellsthatsomeangelsandhumanbeingswillcertainlybepunished, it does so because it knew beforehand that they would not change theirwickedness.Butthatisn’tbecauseGodcreatedthemthatway.

–St.JustinMartyr,DialoguewithTrypho,141


InthedecisionsI’vemadetoday,haveIfollowedtheloyalangelsinchoosingGod’sway?WheredidIfailinmyloyalty,andhowcanIrepairthedamage?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,youcreatedmewiththesamefreewillyougavetotheangels,andyouhaveshownme theway tosalvation:sendyourSpirit tomeso that Imaybeworthyofyourservice.

Whenangelsspeak,Godspeaks

WhenoneofGod’smessengersspeaks,saysSt.Augustine,thewordscomefromGodhimself.AngelsdonotannounceanythingbutwhatGodwillsthemtoannounce.

When theclerkproclaims thewordsof the judge, it isnotusuallywritten in therecord,“Theclerksaidthisandthis,”but“Thejudgesaidthisandthis.”

WhenAbraham’ssonwasorderedtobesacrificed,thisiswhatweread:

“AfterthesethingsGodtestedAbraham,andsaidtohim,‘Abraham!’

Andhesaid,‘HereamI.’

Hesaid,‘Takeyourson,youronlysonIsaac,whomyoulove,andgotothelandofMori’ah, andoffer him there as a burnt offeringupononeof themountains ofwhich Ishalltellyou.’”CertainlyitmentionsGodhere,notanangel.ButalittlewhilelatertheScripturehasitthisway:

“ThenAbrahamputforthhishand,andtooktheknifetoslayhisson.

ButtheangeloftheLordcalledtohimfromHeaven,andsaid,‘Abraham,Abraham!’

Andhesaid,‘HereamI.’

Hesaid, ‘Donot layyourhandon the ladordoanything tohim.’”(Gen.22:1-12)Whatcananyoneanswertothis?WilltheysaythatGodcommandedthatIsaacshouldbekilled,butanangelprohibited it?Will theyevensay that the fatherhimself,against thedecreeofGod,whohadcommandedthathissonshouldbekilled,obeyedtheangelwhosaid to spare him? We must reject such an interpretation as absurd. And low andunsophisticatedasitis,Scripturedoesnotleaveanyroomforit:itimmediatelyadds,“fornow I know that you fearGod, seeing you have notwithheld your son, your only son,fromme.”Andwhatdoes“fromme”mean,exceptfromGodwhocommandedIsaactobekilled?



DoIlistenobedientlytoGodwhenhespeaksthroughhismessengers—ScriptureandtheChurch?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,teachmetoobeyyourwordthewaytheangelsobey.

ImitateAbraham’shospitality

St.JohnChrysostomtellshisflocktolookactivelyforopportunitiestohelpstrangersor foreigners in need—not only for the benefit of the strangers, but evenmore fortheirownbenefit.Byseekingoutstrangers,Abrahamentertainedangels.

Thepatriarchdidn’tknowthathewasentertainingangels,butheentertainedthem.Weshouldbeashamedofourselves!

Therehewas sittingatmidday ina foreign land,wherehehadnoproperty,not somuchastosethisfooton.Hewasastranger.Andasastranger,heentertainedstrangers—forhewasacitizenofHeaven.Forthatreasonhewasn’treallyastrangertoGod,evenwhenhewasonearth.We’remorestrangersthanhewasifwedon’twelcomestrangers.He had no home, but his tentwas a place of hospitality. Look how generous he is: hekilledacalf,andkneadedfineflour.Lookhowquick-mindedheis—bothheandhiswife.Seehisunassumingmanner:heshowsthemrespectandpleadswith them.Anyonewhoentertains strangers should have these qualities: readiness, cheerfulness, generosity. Forthe soul of the stranger is embarrassed, and feels ashamed. Unless his host showsexcessive joy,he feels slightedandgoesaway.That’sworse thannothavingwelcomedhimatall!

“Butwe’renotinaforeignland,”yousay.Butwecanstillimitatehimifwewantto.HowmanyChristiansarestrangers?Thereisacommonapartment,theChurch,whichisthehouseofstrangers.Be inquisitive.Sit in frontof thedoors,andwelcomethosewhocomeyourselves.Ifyoudon’twanttotakethemintoyourhouses,atleastgivethemwhattheyneed.

“Doesn’t theChurch havewhat it takes to do that?” you ask.Yes—butwhat gooddoes that do you? Can it benefit you if strangers are fed from the Church’s funds? Ifsomeoneelseprays,doesthatmeanyoudon’thavetopray?Whydon’tyoujustgoaheadandsay,“Don’tthepriestspray?ThenwhyshouldIpray?”

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily45onActs


What opportunities have Imissed lately to help strangers or visitors in need?Howwould I have changedmybehavior if I had remembered the story ofAbrahamand thestrangers?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,Ibeseechtheprotectionofyourangelsforallthestrangersinourmidst.

Entertainingangels

“Some have entertained angels unawares”: the onlyway to do that, says St. JohnChrysostom,istoshowhospitalitytothepoorandinsignificant.Inentertainingthem,wemayentertainangels,andwecertainlyentertainChristhimself.

It is worthwhile to ask this here: Why did the rich man see Lazarus, not incompanywithanyotherofthejust,butinthebosomofAbraham?

Abraham was hospitable; the rich man saw Lazarus there as a rebuke to his owninhospitality.Abrahamusedtolieinwaitforthosewhopassedby,andconstrainthemtocome into his dwelling; but this rich man neglected even one that lay within his veryporch.He had such a treasure—such an opportunity of salvation—but he overlooked iteach day, and didn’t show kindness to the poor man. He wouldn’t even give him thenecessariesoflife.

Butthepatriarchwasnotlikethis.Hewastheveryopposite.Sittingatthetentdoorhecaptured,sotospeak,allthosethatpassedby.Afishermancastinghisnetintotheseadrawsupfish,andperhapsalsosometimesdrawsupgoldorpearls.Inthesamewayhe,afisherofmen,onceentertainedevenangels—andtherewasthiswonderfulcircumstance,thathedidsowithoutknowingit.

St. Paul,withmuch admiration, insists on the very same thing: “Donot neglect toshowhospitality tostrangers,for therebysomehaveentertainedangelsunawares”(Heb.13:2).Andwelldoeshesay“unawares.”For if theyhadknowinglyreceived themwithsuchgoodwill,theywouldhavedonenogreatorwonderfulthing:allthepraisedependson the fact that, not knowingwho theywere that passed by, and supposing them to besimplywayfaringmen,theyinvitedthemtoentersoquickly.

Christ, too,speakingof thosewhoacted thisway,said,“asyoudid it tooneof theleastofthesemybrethren,youdidittome”(Matt.25:40).

–St.JohnChrysostom,FourDiscourses,ChieflyontheParableoftheRichManandLazarus,Discourse2,chapter5


HowcouldIbemorehospitabletothepoor,thewayAbrahamwashospitabletotheangels?DoIlistenwhentheangelspointoutsomeoneinneed?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpmetonoticeandrememberallthepooramongGod’screatures.

MakeyourhouseChrist’shotel

Abraham, says St. JohnChrysostom, didn’t know he was receiving Christ and theangels—he just welcomed three strangers. But we do know that every time wewelcome strangers, we’rewelcomingChrist.What’s our excuse for notwelcomingthem?

Abrahamwelcomedthestrangersintohisownhome.Hiswifeactedasaservant—andtreatedtheguestsasthemasters.

Hedidn’tknowhewasreceivingChrist.Hedidn’tknowhewasreceivingangels.Ifhe had known, he would have lavished everything he had on them. But we know thatwe’re receiving Christ—and yet we don’t even show asmuch zeal as he did when hethoughthewasreceivingordinarymen!

“Butmanyofthemareungratefulfakes,”yousay.Well,somuchthegreaterisyourrewardwhenyouwelcomethemforthesakeofChrist’sname!Ifyoureallydoknowthatthey’refakes,thendon’twelcomethemintoyourhouse.Butifyoudon’tknowforsure,howcanyouaccusethemsolightly?

“That’swhyItellthemtogototheshelter,”yousay.Butwhatkindofexcusedowehavewhenwedon’tevenreceivetheonesweknow,butslamthedoorineveryone’sface?

OurhouseshouldbeChrist’sgeneralguest-house.Forourrewardweshouldask,notmoney,butthattheymakeourhouseawelcomingplaceforChrist.Weshouldrunalloverthe place and drag them in! We should seize our prizes! The benefits we receive aregreaterthanwhatwegive.



IfIwantedtogooutandfindanangelindisguisetowelcome,wherewouldIgo?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Letyourangelsprotecteveryonewhotravels,Lordandgrantthemallasafejourneyandapeacefulreturn.

Howtotreatyourguests

St. Cyril of Alexandria has some advice for those whomight entertain wanderingmonks, or any other stranger who comes by. Don’t try to impress them with amagnificentfeast:begratefultothemforcoming,andgivethemjustasmuchastheyneedtotakecareoftheirhunger.

Butifyoudoopenyourhousetothem,meetthemcheerfully,andquickly,andastheirequals—andnotsomuchasifyouweregivingsomethingtothem,butasifyouwerereceivingsomethingfromthem—asifyouweregainingandnotspending.Andthemoresobecauseyouprofitdoubly.Inthefirstplace,youenjoytheinstructionofthosewhomyouhospitablyentertain.Secondly,youalsowintherewardofhospitality.Eitherway,youprofit.

Butwhenyoureceive thebrethren intoyourhouse,donotbedistractedwithmuchservice.Donotseekanythingbeyondyourmeans,ormorethanenough.Foreverywhereandineverythingexcessisharmful.Oftenitproduceshesitationinthosewhootherwisewould be glad to receive strangers, and causes but few houses to be found fit for thepurpose—whileitprovesacauseofannoyancetothosewhoareentertained.

ButwhenholymenareassembledatthehouseofonewhofearsGod,letthetablebeplain and temperate, the food simple and free from superfluities. In everything, a smallsupplyofsuchnecessariesaswilltakecareofthebodilyappetitewithsimplefare.

Thisishowtoreceivestrangers.Inthisway,AbrahambytheoakatMamrereceivedthosethreemen,andwonastherewardofhiscarefulnessthepromiseofhisbelovedsonIsaac. In the same way Lot in Sodom honored the angels, and for doing so was notdestroyedbyfirewiththerest,anddidnotbecomethepreyoftheinextinguishableflame.

–St.CyrilofAlexandria,CommentaryonLuke,Sermon59


Am Imore concerned to impress people than I am to impress the angels?Domyeffortsreallyimpresspeopleanyway?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,makemeattentivetoothers,sothatImayneverfail inthedutyofhospitality.

ThestrangecaseofSodom

Theunnatural lustof theSodomites,saysSt.EphremtheSyrian,wasonlypossiblebecausetheythoughttheangelswerehuman.WhatcanwesayaboutsomeonewhoknowsthatGodisGod,yettreatsGodasifhewereacreature?

Withbrightness,gloriousthoughborrowed, theangelsenteredintoSodom.Theysawthebrightnessthatwasfairerthanall,andtheywerefrantic,oldmenandyoung.ThefireoftheMostHighcamedowntoaidthesonsoftheMostHigh—notsothatitmightdelivertheholy,butsothatitmightburnuptheproudones.

Thehighoneschanged theirappearance,and that iswhy thosebelowwerebold. Ifthespiritualbeingshadshowntheirlight,thefleshlybeingswouldhavebeenprostrated.Theythoughttheangels,aspiritualnature,wereoftheirownnature,andthatiswhytheylusted,thoughtheydidnotchangetheirnature.Lustlustedafterthoseofitsownraceinawaythatwascontrary tonature; itwouldnothave lustedafter thehighones,whowereforeigntoitsnature.Lust lustedafter thehighones,becausetheyhadtakentheformofthosebelow.Itwasagainstnature,andyet itwasinnature,becauselust lustedforwhatwasitsown.

WhoeverpriesintoGodismadbeyondallnature.YouconfesshisEssence,butyoupryintohimas ifhewereacreature?IfyoucallhimGod, there isnoroomforprying.FaithisthemediumthatmustgobetweenyouandGod.

–St.EphremtheSyrian,Rhythm3ontheFaith


Even the angels are beyond my understanding without faith. Is faith always themediuminmyrelationshipwithGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,alwaysbewithmetocheckmypride,andtoremindmethathumblefaithisalwaystheproperapproachtoGod.

Anointingthestone

WhenJacobhadhisvisionoftheangelsontheladder,heanointedthestoneathishead.Why?Because, saysSt.Augustine, the stone isa figurative representationofChrist,whichmeans“anointed.”

SotheLordgoesontosay,“BecauseIsaidtoyou,Isawyouunderthefigtree,doyoubelieve?Youshallseegreaterthingsthanthese.”Whatgreaterthingsdoeshemean?“And he said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, youwill seeHeaven opened, and theangelsofGodascendinganddescendingupontheSonofman’”(John1:50-51).

Brethren,thereissomethinggreaterinwhatIhavejustsaidthanjustinthosewords,“I sawyouunder the fig tree.” It ismore important that theLord justifieduswhenwewerecalledthanthathesawuslyingundertheshadowofdeath.Wouldwehavebeenanybetteroffifwehadremainedwherehesawus?Wouldn’twestillbylyingthere?

Whatgreaterthingisthis?WhenhaveweseenangelsascendinganddescendingupontheSonofMan?

Inadream,Jacobsawaladder,andontheladderangelsascendinganddescending.Heanointedthestonehehadplacedathishead(Gen.28:12-18).

Now, you know that Messiah and Christ mean the same thing, and Christ andAnointedmean thesamething.Jacobdidnotplace thestonehehadanointedso thathecouldcomeandadoreit—thatwouldhavebeenidolatry,notafigurativerepresentationofChrist.Butwhathedidwas a figurative representation—as far as itwas appropriate tomake such a representation. And the thing represented was Christ. The stone wasanointed,butnotasanidol.

Why was it anointed, then? Because it was Christ, from Chrisma, which meansanointing.

–St.Augustine,Homily7onJohn,22-23


St.AugustineseesaconnectionbetweenJacob’svisionoftheangelsandwhatChristsaidtoNathanael.WhenIreadtheOldTestamentScriptures,amIcarefultolookforthewaysinwhichtheNewTestamentlieshiddenthere?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Angelswhoconstantlyascendanddescend,alwayspointmywaytoChrist,theSonofGod.

Sleepwithyourheadonastone

Jacoblaywithhisheadonastone,saysSt.GregorytheGreat—andhesawangels(Gen.28:11-22).ThestoneisChrist,andifwekeepChristinourthoughts,wewillknowwonderfultruthseveninoursleep.

We certainly shouldobservehere that someonewho lays his headon a stone issomeonewho sees angels inhis sleep.Surely it is becausewhoever tries to imitateourRedeemerwith all hismind—which is our ruling principle—penetrates inner truths byrestingfromouterworks.TolayyourheadonastoneistosticktoChristinyourmind.

Ontheotherhand,somemaywithdrawfromthebusinessofthisworld,buthavenolove tocarry themupward.Theymaysleep,but theynevercansee theangels,becausetheyscorntokeeptheirheadsonastone.Therearesomewhorunawayfromthebusinessof thisworld,butnever exercise anyof thevirtues.Thesepeople sleepbecause they’regroggy,butnotfromanyseriousintention.Theyneverseethoseinnertruths,becausetheylaytheirheadsontheearth,notonastone.Anditoftenhappenstothemthat, themorethey rest from outward actions, the more they gather from their idleness a plentifulcacophonyofimpurethoughts.



What is the last thing inmy thoughtsbefore Idriftoff tosleep? Ismymind fit forvisionsofangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,bewithmeallthroughthenight,andguidemyinmostthoughts,sothattheLordmaygrantmerestandpeaceallthedaysofthislife.

ChristatJacob’shead

WhenJacobsawhisvisionofangelsonaladdertoHeaven,hewasrestinghisheadonastone.Thatstone,saysSt.Augustine,issymbolicallyChrist.

ThepatriarchJacobhadplacedastoneathishead:sleepingwiththatstoneathishead,hesawHeavenopened,anda ladder fromHeaven toEarth,andangelsascendinganddescending;afterthisvisionheawoke,anointedthestone,anddeparted(Gen.28:11-18).

InthatstoneheunderstoodChrist;forthatreasonheanointedit.NoticehowChristispreachedhere.Whatisthemeaningofthatanointingofastone,especiallyinthecaseofthepatriarchswhoworshipedonlyoneGod?Itwasdoneasafigurativeact—andthenhedeparted. He did not anoint the stone, and come to worship there constantly, and toperformsacrificethere.Itwastheexpressionofamystery;notthebeginningofsacrilege.

And notice the meaning of the stone. “The stone which the builders rejected hasbecometheheadofthecorner”(Ps.118:22;seeMatt.21:42).Noticehereagreatmystery.ThestoneisChrist.Petercallshim“thatlivingstone,rejectedbymenbutinGod’ssightchosenandprecious”(1Pet.2:4).Andthestoneissetatthehead,becauseChrististheHead of theman (1Cor. 11:3).And the stonewas anointed, becauseChristwas called“Christ”fromhisbeinganointed.



DoIalwaysplaceChristatmyheadwhenIrest?WhatvisionscometomewhenIgotobed?Aretheyvisionsofangels,oraretheysuppliedbythecompetition?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, letme restmy head on you, andmaymy visions always be of the angels ofHeaven.

Angelsascendinganddescending

InJacob’sladder,withangelsascendinganddescending,St.Augustineseesanimageofthegoodpreacher,whogoesuptolearnthemostexaltedtruths,andcomesdowntobringthemtothesimplestfollowersofChrist.

WhatdidJacobseeontheladder?Angelsascendinganddescending.

This, brethren, is what the Church is like. The angels of God are good preachers,preachingChrist.This iswhat itmeanswhen it says theyascendanddescendupon theSonofMan(John1:51).

How do they ascend and descend?We have an example in one of them.Hear theApostlePaul,andwhenwefinditinhim,letusalsobelieveitoftheotherpreachersofthetruth.

HereisPaulascending:“IknowamaninChristwhofourteenyearsagowascaughtuptothethirdheaven—whetherinthebodyoroutofthebodyIdonotknow,Godknows.AndIknowthatthismanwascaughtupintoParadise—whetherinthebodyoroutofthebodyIdonotknow,Godknows—andheheardthingsthatcannotbetold,whichmanmaynotutter”(2Cor.12:2-4).

Youhaveheardhimascending.Nowhearhimdescending:“ButI,brethren,couldnotaddressyouasspiritualmen,butasmenof theflesh,asbabes inChrist. I fedyouwithmilk,notsolidfood”(1Cor.3:1-2).

You see? He ascended, and now he descends.Where did he ascend? To the thirdheaven!Wheredidhedescend?Togivingmilktobabes!

–St.Augustine,Homily7onJohn,23


DoIgivethehomilymyfullattentionatMass,sothattheonewhopreaches—God’s“angel”ormessenger—hasachancetoleadmeuptowardHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian angels of all priests and teachers, keep them always mindful of theirmissiontodescendtoourunderstandingandascendwithustoheavenlythings.

Christaboveandbelow

Christ,saysSt.Augustine,isbothaboveinHeavenandbelowinus.Ifoureyeswereopened,wecouldseetheangelsconstantlyascendinganddescending.

Hewhocoulddosuchgreatthingswashungryandthirsty,waswearied,slept,wasapprehended,beaten,crucified,slain.

Thisistheway:walkinhumility,thatyoumaycometoeternity.ChristasGodisthecountrywewanttogoto;ChristthemanistheWaybywhichwego.Tohimwego,byhimwego;whyshouldweworryaboutlosingtheway?HedidnotleavetheFather;andcametous.Hesuckedthebreasts,andhecontainedtheworld.Helayinthemanger,andhefedtheangels.

Therefore, from now on, having now suffered in this humiliation, died, and beenburied,hehasnowrisenagain,andascendedintoHeaven.Thereheis,sittingattherighthandoftheFather;andhereheisneedyinhispoor.

YesterdaytooIbroughtthisupinthecontextofwhathesaidtoNathanael,“Youshallseegreaterthingsthanthese.Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,youwillseeHeavenopened,andtheangelsofGodascendinganddescendingupontheSonofman”(John1:50-51).Hewouldnotsay,“ascendingupontheSonofman,”unlesshewereabove;hewouldnotsay,“descendingupontheSonofman,”unlesshewerealsobelow.Heisatonceaboveandbelow:aboveinhimself,belowinthosewhoarehis;abovewiththeFather,belowinus.

–St.Augustine,Sermon73ontheNewTestament,3-4


Angels,saysSt.Augustine,areconstantlygoingbetweenthebodyofChristonearthandtheHeadinHeaven.Whentheangelscometome,whatkindofmemberdotheyfindme?AmIdoingmypartintheBody?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,youwerepleasedtomakemyweaknessaspiritualmemberinthegreatbodyofyourHolyChurch.SendyourangelsdowntometoguidemetoeternitywithyourSon.

Sleephumblyanddreamofangels

Jacobhadastone forhispillowwhenhehadhisvisionof theheavenly ladder,St.JohnChrysostomremindsus.Howcanweexpect toseevisionsofangelswhenwesleepinluxuries,anddenyeventhenecessitiesoflifetothepoor?

ShallIshowyouanotherbed?ImeanthatofJacob.Helayontheground,andastonewasunderhishead.Thereforealso,hesawthesymbolicalstone,andthatladderonwhichangelswereascendinganddescending.

Weshouldhavethatkindofbed,sothatwemayseesuchvisions.Ifwelieonsilver,wenotonlygainnopleasure,butalsoenduretrouble.Forwheneveryourememberthatintheseverestcoldinthemiddleofthenight,whileyou’resleepingonyourcouch,thepoormanlyingonchaffintheporticoesofthebaths,coveredwithstraw,is trembling,numbwithcold,andfaintingwithhunger,evenifyoureallyhadaheartofstone,beassuredthatyou’ll condemn yourself for being content that,while you luxuriate in excess, he can’tevenenjoythenecessariesoflife.

“Nosoldieronservicegetsentangledincivilianpursuits,”saystheApostle(2Tim.2:4).You’reaspiritualsoldier.Butsuchasoldierdoesn’tsleeponanivorybed,butontheground.Hedoesn’tusescentedoils—that’s thehabitofsensualanddissolutepeople,ofthosewholiveonthestage,orinindolence.It’snotthesmellofointmentthatyoushouldhave,butthesmellofvirtue.Thesoulisnopurerwhenthebodyisscented.Infact,thisfragrance of the body and clothes may even be a sign of inward corruption anduncleanness.ForwhenSatanmakeshisapproachestocorruptthesoulandfillitwithallindolence,thenhealsousesointmentstostamponthebodythestainsthatmarkitsinnerdefilement.

Fornothing—nothingisworsethanluxury.



WhatluxuriescouldIgiveupsothatImightliveamoreangeliclife?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,alwayskeepthepoor,theneedy,thewidows,theforeigners,andtheorphansbeforemyeyesand inmymind, so that Imay serve them,and serveChrist inthem.

Angelscometothevirtuous

St.AmbroserecallsthestoryofSamson’sbirthinJudges13andrejectsonewriter’sinterpretation that would make Samson’s father merely a jealous husband. Angelswouldnotcometohim,saysSt.Ambrose,ifhewerefullofsinfulthoughts.

BythistimethespiritoftheHebrewshadbeensosubduedbylongoppressionthatnoonedaredtorousethemtolibertywithamanlyspirit.ButthenSamson,foreordainedbythedivineoracle,wasraisedupforthem.

His fatherwasof the tribeofDan, aman fearingGod, bornof nomean rank, andeminentaboveothers.Hismotherwasbarrenofbody,butcertainlynot invirtuesof themind—seeingthatinthesanctuaryofhersoulshewascountedworthytoreceivethevisitofanangel,andthatsheobeyedhiscommandandfulfilledhisprophecy.ButbecauseshecouldnotstandtoknowthesecretsevenofGodapartfromherhusband,shementionedtohimthatshehadseenamanofGod,ofbeautifulform,bringingherthedivinepromiseoffutureoffspring,andthatshe,confidinginthispromise,wasledtosharewithherhusbandherfaithintheheavenlypromises.Buthe,informedofthis,devoutlyofferedhisprayerstoGod, that thegraceof this visionmightbe conferredonhimalso, saying, “Lord, letyourangelcometome.”

Iamoftheopinionthathedidnotactthiswayoutofjealousyofhiswife,butratherthathewasfilledwithdesireofthedivinegrace,andsoughttoparticipateinthebenefitoftheheavenlyvision.ForonewhosemindwasdepravedcouldnothavefoundsuchfavorwiththeLordthatanangelshouldreturntohishouse,who,havinggiventhosewarningsthat the divine announcement required, was suddenly carried away in the form of asmoking flame. This sight, which terrified the man, the woman interpreted moreauspiciously,sayingthattoseeGodisasignofgoodnotevil.Inthatwayshemadehimstopworrying.

–St.Ambrose,Letter19,10-12


Whatthoughtsinmymindarekeepingtheangelsaway?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,keepmefreeofeverybasedesire,everyevilimagination,andeveryunbecomingthought.

ThemodestyofDaniel

Daniel, saysSt.EphremtheSyrian,wasafraideven toapproach theangelhesaw.How can some philosophers pretend that they’ve figured out everything about theSonofGod?

Danielsawwondrouslivingcreatures.HealsosawthattheAncientofDayswassittinginglory(Dan.7:9).Heapproachedthelivingcreatures,becausehewantedtoaskandlearn.ButhedidnotapproachtosearchintothegloryoftheMostHigh.

FoolshaveleftsearchingcreationandrunofftotheCreatortosearchoutwhoheis.Daniel saw one of the angels and was frightened (Dan. 8:16). He did not approach tosearchintohim.Hecouldnotbearthesoundofhisvoice.Hewasnotevenabletolisten.

Danieldidnotlookontheminister;whocanlookontheOnetowhomheministered?

Theseathatsawthesignofhimfeared,andfledback,andwasmoved;itwasdividedintotwoheaps(Exod.14:21-22).

Daniel,whenheaskedaboutthewords,heardthattheyweresealed,andthatitwasnotfittingtosearchoutthehiddenthingsofthefuture.WhowilldaretosearchintotheTreasuryinwhomallknowledgedwells?TheFirst-BornistheTreasuryoftheFather,inwhomisallhiscounsel.Whoisuptothetaskofsearchingintohim?



WheredoIdrawthelinebetweenwhatIcanknowandwhatIcanonlyspeculateon?DoIimitatethemodestyofDanielwhenhewasfacedwiththeangel?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,Iamnotworthyeventolookonyourangels,butIlongforthedaywhenyouwillberevealedtome.

JerusalemandBabylon

TheangelsarecitizensofthespiritualJerusalem,saysSt.Augustine,andsoarewe.ButforthepresentweonearthareheldcaptiveinthespiritualBabylon.Webegintobefreedfromourcaptivityassoonasweconfessoursins.

You’veheard,andyouknow, that thereare twocities, for thepresentoutwardlymixeduptogether,yetseparatedinheart,runningtogetherthroughthecourseoftimeuntiltheend.One,whoseendiseverlastingpeace,iscalledJerusalem;theother,whosejoyispeaceinthisworld,iscalledBabylon.Youalsorememberthemeaningsofthesenames:Jerusalemmeans“VisionofPeace,”andBabylonmeans“Confusion.”

Jerusalemwasheld captive inBabylon—but not all of it, for the angels too are itscitizens. But those human beings who are predestined to the glory of God, to becomefellowheirswithChristbyadoption,whomhehasredeemedfromthisverycaptivitybyhisownblood—thispartofthecitizensofJerusalemareheldcaptiveinBabylonbecauseof sin. But they begin to go out of Babylon by confessing their sins and lovingrighteousness.Afterwards,attheendoftheworld,theywillbeseparatedfromBabyloninbodyaswell.



Though I live inBabylon,what aboutmy life distinguishesme as a citizen of theJerusalemoftheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,letmepraiseyouwithangelsandarchangelsandthespiritualJerusalem,theassemblyofthefirst-bornwhosenamesarewritteninHeaven.

Theylistenedtoangels;welistentotheSon

St. Augustine tells us that, in Old Testament times, the word of God was giventhroughtheangels—anditwasheardwithearnestobedience.WewhohavetheworddirectlyfromtheSonshouldbeevenmorecarefultolisten.

WheneverGodappearedtothepatriarchs,presentedtothemaccordingtohisowndispensationsuitabletothetimes,hedidsothroughcreatedbeings.WehavetheauthorityofthedivineScriptures,andourreasonshouldnotstrayfromthem;itshouldnotleavethesolidsupportofGod’sownwordandfalloff thecliffof itsownspeculationsinmatterswheretheperceptionsofthebodycannotsettlethequestion,andthetruthdoesnotshineforthbyclearreason.

Now, the letter to theHebrewsdistinguishes thedispensationof theNewCovenantfrom the dispensation of the Old, according to the fitness of ages and times; and itcertainlysaysthatnotonlywerethosethingswecanseemadethroughtheangels,butalsoGod’sspeakingwas itselfdone throughangels.This iswhat it says:“But towhatangelhasheeversaid,‘Sitatmyrighthand,tillImakeyourenemiesastoolforyourfeet’?Aretheynotallministeringspiritssentforthtoserve,forthesakeofthosewhoaretoobtainsalvation?”(Heb.1:13-14).Fromwhichitisplainthatallthosethingswerenotonlydonethroughangels,butdoneforoursake—thatis,forthesakeofthepeopleofGod,whoarepromisedtheinheritanceofeternallife.Andthen,showingthatitclearlyfollowsthat,asthewordwasspokenbyangelsthen,itisspokenbytheSonnow:“Thereforewemustpaythecloserattentiontowhatwehaveheard,lestwedriftawayfromit.Forifthemessagedeclared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a justretribution,howshallweescapeifweneglectsuchagreatsalvation?”(Heb.2:1-3).



Inoldtimes,saysSt.Augustine,Godsenthismessagesthroughtheangels,butnowhespeakstousthroughtheSonhimself.DoIlistenwithreverentattentiontothereadingsatMass,asthoughChristhimselfwerespeakingtome?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelsofGodwhosurroundme,bewithmeespeciallyatMass,andhelpmetokeepmymindfromstrayingwhenIheartheWordofGod.

Christistheteacher

Onegenerationteachesanother,butwhotaughtthefirsthumans?Nototherhumans,saysSt.ClementofAlexandria,sincetherewerenone.Notangels,becausewecannothearthewayangelsnormallyspeak.No,ouroriginalteacherwastheWordhimself.

Ileadyouuptothefirstgenerationofhumanbeings;andfromthatpointIbegintoinvestigate:whoistheirteacher?Notahuman,fortheyhadnotyetlearned.Notanyoftheangels,forhumansdonothearthewayangels,asangels,speak.Wehaveears,buttheydonot have a tongue to correspond; nor would any one attribute to the angels organs ofspeech—Imean lips and the parts connected to them, throat, andwindpipe, and chest,breath and air to vibrate.AndGod certainly does not call aloud in his unapproachablesanctity,separatedasheisfromeventhearchangels.

Andwe also have alreadyheard that angels learned the truth, and their rulers overthem;fortheyhadabeginning.

Itremains,then,forustokeepgoinguptoseektheirteacher.AndsincethereisoneunoriginatedBeing,theOmnipotentGod;theFirst-begottenisalsoone;“allthingsweremadethroughhim,andwithouthimwasnotanythingmadethatwasmade”(John1:3).ThisistheTeacherofallcreatedbeings.

–St.ClementofAlexandria,Stromata,6.7


TheangelsthemselveshadtolearnwhattheyknowfromChrist.IsChrist’steaching—in the Sermon on the Mount, for example—the starting point for everything else Iknow?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Yourangels,OGod,wouldliveindarknesswithoutyourWord.Confirmmeinyourdivineknowledge,throughyouronly-begottenSon,ourLordandSaviorJesusChrist.

EverythingcomesfromtheGood

DionysiustheAreopagitetellsusthattheangelshavealltheirperfectionsbecauseoftheoneGood,namelyGod,fromwhomallperfectionsflow.Butnotjusttheangels:ourown souls, and the lifeof loweranimalsandplants, andeven the existenceofinanimateobjects—allofitdependsonGod.

Whatever belongs to the heavenly hierarchy—the purifications appropriate toangels, the heavenly illuminations, and everything that perfects the whole angelicperfection—allof itcomesfromtheFountainofgoodness, fromwhomtheyweregiventhe idea of goodness, and the ability to reveal the hidden goodness in themselves.WemightsaythattheangelsareheraldsofGod’ssilence,andshineabrightlightonhimwhoisinsecret.

Andafterthesesacredandholyminds,oursoulsexist,andwhateverisgoodinthemexists,becauseof thatGoodness that ismorethangood.Thefact that theyhavereason,that they have essential life, that they are indestructible, and that they exist in the firstplace,allcomesfromGod—asdoesthefactthattheycanbeelevatedtotheleveloftheangels,andbeledbytheangelsastheirguidestoGod,theOriginofallthings.Thenoursoulsalsocanshare in the illuminations thatbubble forth from theOrigin,according toeachone’scapacity,andcanparticipateinthatgodlikegiftasmuchasweareable.

ButifImayalsospeakoftheirrationalsouls—thecreaturesthatflythroughtheair,andwalkontheground,andcreepontheground,andswiminthewater—allthesethingshavetheirlifeofgrowingandmovingbecauseoftheGood.PlantsalsohavetheirgrowingandmovingbecauseoftheGood;andevenmatterwithoutsoulorlifeexistsbecauseoftheGood,becauseofwhichitexistsinthefirstplace.



CouldIspareabitoftimetodaytoenjoythebeautyoftheworldGodmade—andtopraiseGodforit,astheangelsdounceasingly?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Praisebetoyourholyname,OLordJesusChrist,whogiveslifetothewholeworld—fromthemostgloriousangelstothehumblestcreepingthingsontheground.

Satanwascreatedgood

If Satanwas one ofGod’s creatures, then isn’tGod to blame for evil?Against thehereticMarcion,whobelievedthattheGodoftheOldTestamentwasevil,Tertullianargues that thedevil’s sin isnotGod’sdoing.Likeus,Satanwascreatedwith freewill,and—likeus—healoneistoblameforhisownsins.

Wheredidthedevil’smalice,hislyinganddeceivingmankindandslanderingGod,comefrom?

Certainlynot fromGod.Hemade the angelgood, ashedid all hisgoodworks. Infact,beforehebecamethedevil,hewasknownasthewisestofallcreation,andwisdomisnotevil.

Asa spirit,hewascreatedwith freewill—forGodcertainlywouldnot fail togivethatkindoflibertytoabeingwhowasmeanttobenexttoGodhimself.

WhenGodcondemnedhim,Godborewitnessthatthedevilhadleftbehindthenatureinwhichhewascreated,by lustingafter thewickedness thathadsprungupby itself inhim. At the same time, by allowing him some room for his schemes, God acted inaccordancewithhisowngoodpurpose.Inthatwayhemaderoomforaconflictinwhichmankindmight crush his enemy with that same free will that had fallen victim to theenemy (which proves, by the way, that the fault was his own, not God’s), and thusworthilygainbackhissalvationthroughvictory.Likewisethedevil’spunishmentismorebitter,becauseheisconqueredbytheonehehadformerlyinjured.

ThusGod is shown tobeevenmoregood,becausehewaits forman tocomebackfromhispresentlifetoamoregloriousparadise,wherehewillhavetherighttotakethefruitofthetreeoflife.

–Tertullian,AgainstMarcion,2.10


Am I usingmy free will to fight with the holy angels against Satan?Or does theenemysometimesenlistmywillonhisside?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,youhavegraciouslybroughtmeoutofslaveryintofreedom.Sendyourangelstoguidemywill,sothatImaynotfallintoSatan’ssnares.

Demonsarenotevilbynature

Thedemons,saysDionysiustheAreopagite,arenotmadeevil.Whatwecall“evil”isanegativequality:itisafailuretopreservethemselvesinthegood.

ButhowarethedemonseviliftheyarecreatedbyGod?FortheGoodbringsforthandsustainsgoodthings—but,someonemightsay,wecallthedemonsevil.

Butwecallthem“evil”notbecauseofwhattheyare,fortheycomefromtheGood,andwerecreatedwithagoodessence.Wecallthemevilfromwhattheyarenot,becausetheydidnothavethestrength,asScripturetellsus,tokeeptheiroriginalcondition.

Whatdowemeanwhenwesaythatdemonsbecomeevil,exceptthattheyhavefallenout of the habit ofworking for divine things? If the demonswere evil by nature, theywouldalwaysbeevil—butevilisunstable,soiftheywerealwaysinthesamecondition,theywouldnotbeevil.TobethesameallthetimeisacharacteristicoftheGood.Butifthey are not always evil, they are not evil by nature, but by straying from the goodqualitiesofangels.

Demonsdonotaltogetherlackashareinwhatisgood.Theyexist,andtheylive,andthey think, and they have a sort of movement of aspiration. But we call them “evil”becauseoftheirweaknessinwhattheydo.Theevilisaturningawayandsteppingoutofthings appropriate for them; it is missing the mark, imperfection and impotence, aweaknessandadeparture,andafallingawayfromthepowerthatpreservestheirintegrity.



Howmuch of what I do every day seems to be “missing the mark,” the way thedemonsdo?Whatwouldhelpmestickmoreconsistentlytomygoodnature,thewaytheangelsdoinHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,youcreatedmegood,andIdesiretoliveinawayconsistentwiththatcreation.SendmeyourangelstohelpmeavoidthetemptationtostrayfromthepathonmyjourneytowardHeaven.

Evilexistsonlyinthegood

Human beings and angels are good creations, says St. Augustine. Even the evilangelsaregoodcreations;theyareevilonlyinrelationtothegoodthingsthattheywere.Itisnotpossiblefortheretobeevilwithoutgood.

Butthelogicalruledoesn’tapplyinthesetwooppositesthatwecall“good”and“evil.”Theweathercan’tbebothdarkandlightatthesametime.Foodordrinkcan’tbesweetandsouratthesametime.Anobjectcan’tbebothwhiteandblackatthesametimeandinthesameplace.Itcan’tbemisshapenandshapelyatthesametime.Weseethisruleinalmostallpairsofopposites:twooppositethingscannotcoexistinthesamething.

Noonesaysthatgoodandevilaren’topposites.But,nevertheless,notonlycantheycoexist,butevilcan’texistatallwithoutgood,orinathingthatisn’tgood.Ontheotherhand,goodcanexistwithoutevil:apersonoranangelcouldexistandnotbewicked,buttherecannotbewickednessexceptinapersonoranangel.It’sgoodtobeaperson,andit’sgoodtobeanangel.Butit’seviltobewicked.

Sothesetwooppositescoexist.Iftherewerenogoodinwhatisevil,thentheeviljustcouldnotexist:itwouldhavenowayofexisting.Therewouldbenosourceofcorruption,becausecorruptionisonlytakingawaythegood.

Evilshave their source inwhat isgood,andunless theyareparasitesonsomethinggoodtheyarenothing.Thereisnoothersourcefromwhichanevil thingcancomeintoexistence.

If this is true, thena thing isunquestionablygood insofaras it isabeing. If it’sanincorruptiblebeing,it’sagreatgood.Butevenifitiscorruptible,itstillcan’texistexceptas a characteristic of something good. Corruption can only do damage by corruptingsomethinggood.



WhenIthinkofanyoneIconsiderevil,canIseepasttheevilactstothegoodnature?DoIrememberthateventhosewhobehavewickedlyhaveguardianangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,youhavemadenothingwickedbynature,noteven theangelswhodesertedyou.Letmebealighttoguideyourerringsheepbackintothefold.

Angelshavenocreativepower

Godmakescreationtooperatebycertainprinciples,saysSt.Augustine.Ifevilangelscanmakeuseofthoseprinciplestohelpmagiciansdoapparentmiracles,thatdoesn’tmeanthatanyonebutGodwastheCreator.

TheApostlePauldistinguishesGod’screatingandformingontheinsidefromtheactsofthecreaturethatareappliedfromwithout.Drawingametaphorfromagriculture,hesays,“Iplanted,Apolloswatered,butGodgavethegrowth”(1Cor.3:6).

Inthespirituallife,noonebutGodcanworkrighteousnessinourminds.Butpeoplecanpreachthegospelasanoutwardmeans—thegoodcandoitsincerely,buttheevilcanalsodoitinpretense.

Inthesameway,Godworksfromwithininthecreationofvisiblethings.What thegoodorthebaddo—whatangelsorpeopledo—evenwhatanimalsdo—all thesethingsaredonebythenaturethatGodhasgiventhem,accordingtohisownabsolutepower.Hehasgiven them theirappetites forpleasant things,and theirabilities to respond to thoseappetites.Hiscreationiswhatagricultureistothesoil.

SoIcannotcalltheevilangels,whoareinvokedbymagic,thecreatorsofthefrogsorserpents (Exod. 7-8), anymore than I can say that evil peoplewere the creators of thegraincropwhenIseethatithassprungupthroughtheirlabor.



AmIplantingandwateringtheseedsGodhasgivenmetocarefor?DoI,likeGod’sgoodangels,usewhatGodhasgivenmeforthegoodofhiscreatures?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyGuardianAngel,youaredevotedtomycare:teachmetoguardandkeepGod’screationwiththesamedevotion.

AngelsknowthetruthbecausetheyloveGod

Demonsoftenpredictthefuture,saysSt.Augustine,becausethey’reintelligent,andthey can see thingswe can’t. But they often get itwrong.Angels always know thetruthevenaboutworldlythings,becausetheyloveGodandmakehiswilltheirown.

The good angels, therefore, put little value on the knowledge of material andtransitorythingsthatthedemonsaresoproudofpossessing.It’snotthatthey’reignorantof these things.But the loveofGod,bywhichtheyaresanctified, isverydear to them.Comparedtothatnotmerelyimmaterialbutalsounchangeableandineffablebeautythattheylovewithsuchafire,theydisdaineverythingbeneathit,andeverythingthatisn’tit,sothattheymayenjoythatgood,thesourceoftheirgoodness,withallthegoodthatisinthem.

And therefore they have a more certain knowledge even of those worldly andchangeable things, because they contemplate their principles and causes in theWordofGod, by which the world was made—those causes by which one thing is approved,anotherrejected,andeverythingarranged.

ButthedemonsdonotseethewisdomofGod,sotheydon’tseetheseeternaland(sotospeak)fundamentalcausesofworldlythings,butonlyforeseealargerpartofthefuturethanwedo,becausetheyknowmoreaboutthesignsthatarehiddenfromus.Sometimes,they’repredictingwhattheythemselvesintendtodo.

And,finally,thedemonsareoftenwrong,buttheangelsneverare.Foritisonething,bytheaidofworldlyandchangeablethings,toguesswhatchangesmayhappenintime,and tochangesuch thingsbyone’sownwill andpower—and this is toacertainextentpermitted to the demons.But it is another thing to foresee the changes of times in theeternal and immutable lawsofGod,which live inhiswisdom, and toknow thewill ofGod, themost infallibleandpowerfulofallcauses,byparticipatinginhisspirit.This isgrantedtotheholyangelsbyGod’sjustchoice.



Do I desire to know the truth? Do I take the steps necessary to grow in myunderstanding of doctrine? Do I ask the help ofmy guardian angel as I undertake theprayerfulstudyofChristiandoctrine?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,whogazeupon the lovelinessofGodevenas youguidemyevery

step:helpmetoseewhatyouseeandbeholdthelovelinessofGodasmuchasIcaneventoday.

Covetousnessmadeanarchangelthedevil

St. Asterius of Amasea gives us a good working definition of covetousness, andexplainsthatthissin—wantingmorethanyoudeserve—waswhatmadethedevilfallfromHeaven.

Covetousness, then, is not simply beingmad for money and other possessions,wishingtoaddtowhatyouhavethattowhichyouhavenoright.Tospeakmorebroadly,itisthedesiretohave,ineverytransaction,morethanwhat’sdueorbelongstoyou.

Andyouknowthatthedevilwasthefirsttohavethisfault.Hewasanarchangel,andappointed to themosthonorable life and station;but the arrogant creature conceivedofabsoluterule,andrebellionagainstGod,andwascastdownfromHeavenafterthat,and,fallingintothisatmosphereofearth,hebecameyourmaliciousneighbor.

Sohedidnotgetthedivinitytowhichheaspired,andhelosttherankhehadenjoyedof being archangel. He was an unfaithful servant, changed by gradually increasingaudacityintoarobber.HewaslikethedogoftheGreekfable,whowasbothdeprivedofhismeatandfailedtograsptheshadow—forhowcouldhegraspanintangiblething?

–St.AsteriusofAmasea,Sermon3:AgainstCovetousness


Weliveinaworldwherecovetousnessseemslikeavirtue.DoIlong,likeLucifer,formorethanIneedordeserve?HowcanIovercomethatlonging?WillithelptorememberthatGodisreadytogiveme,notonlymorethanIdeserve,butmorethanIcanpossiblyimagine?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, sanctify me through the ministry of your holy angels, and free me from allcovetousness,andfromeverydispositionthatisnotinaccordancewithyourwill.

Satanfell,andwefollowed

Thefirstofalltheangels,Tatiantellsus,wasworshipedasagodbyhumanbeings.Forhispride,Satanwascutoff fromall fellowshipwith theWord,andheandhisangelicfollowersbecamethedemons.

ThepoweroftheWordhadtheabilityinitselftoforeseefutureevents—notthatthose events were fated, but rather they came about through the choice of beingswhoactedfreely.FromtimetotimetheWordforetoldwhatwouldhappenintimestocome.Italsobegantoforbidwickednessbyprohibitions,andatthesametimetopraisethosewhoremainedgood.

But people attached themselves to one being who was more subtle than the rest,becausehewasthefirst-born,anddeclaredthathewasGod,thoughhewentagainstthewillofGod.

Then the power of the Word excluded the originator of this foolishness from allfellowshipwiththeWord.ThushewhowasmadeinthelikenessofGodbecomesmortal,becausethemorepowerfulspirithasseparateditselffromhim.Butthatfirst-begottenone,throughhistransgressionandignorance,becomesademon.Thosewhoimitatedhim—thatis,hisillusions—havebecomeahostofdemons,andthroughtheirownfreechoicehavebeengivenuptotheirfolly.

–Tatian,AddresstotheGreeks,7


WhatdoIdotomakesurethatI’mnotattachingmyselftoSatan?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Kingofglory,acceptmyprayer;cleansemymindfromallinfluenceofthedevil,andguardmefromeverythingevil..

Nothurtinganyonebuthimself

Thedevil,saysSt.Augustine,didnodamagetoGodinhisfall,butonlytohimself.Godknewbeforehandwhatwouldhappen,andhowtobringgoodoutofit.

Sowhyshouldn’tGodmakehumanbeings,althoughheknewbeforehandthatwewouldsin,whenhemightcrownusifwestood,andsetusrightifwefell,andhelpusifwe rose,beingalways andeverywhereglorious ingoodness, righteousness, andmercy?Aboveall,whyshouldn’thedoso,sincehealsoknewbeforehandthat fromourmortalracewouldspringsaints—peoplewhowouldnotseektheirownglory,butgiveglorytotheir Creator, and who, gaining deliverance from every corruption by worshiping him,wouldbecountedworthytoliveforever,andtoliveinblisswiththeholyangels?

Hegaveusfreewill,sothatwemightworshipGodnotoutofslavishnecessity,butwithcandiddesire.Healsogavefreewilltotheangels.Thustheangelwho,alongwiththeotherspiritswhowerehisfollowers,abandonedtheobedienceofGodinhispridetobecomethedevil,didnotdoanydamagetoGod,butonlytohimself.Godknowswhattodoaboutsoulsthatleavehim,andhowtousetheirrighteousmiserytofurnishthelowersectionsofhiscreatureswithappropriateandbefittinglawsofhiswonderfuldispensation.

ThusthedevildidnotharmGodinanyway,eitherbyfallinghimselforinseducinghumanitytodeath.Nordidthemaninanywayhurtthetruth,power,orblessednessofhisMaker,when,afterhispartnerhadbeenseducedbythedevil,ofhisowndeliberatechoiceheconsentedwithhertodowhatGodhadforbidden.

–St.Augustine,OntheCatechizingoftheUninstructed,18


DoIworshipGodoutofcandiddesire?DoIwilltoserveGodastheheavenlyangelsdo?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,IdesiretoofferyoumuchmorethanIhavetogive;makeupmylackwithyourgrace,andletmeserveyouforeverwithyourholyangelsinHeaven.

Satanismoreguiltythanweare

Satan, saysSt.Gregory theGreat, left his exaltedpositionbyhis ownwickedness,whereaswewerepersuadedbySatantosin.Ofthetwo,therefore,Satanisthemoreguilty,whichiswhywehavethechancetoberedeemedandhedoesnot.

“MayGodabovenotseekit,norlightshineuponit”(Job3:4).

There is another way in which it was both appropriate that humanity should berecoveredwhen lost,and impossible for thespirit thatelevatedhimself toberecovered.Theangelfellbyhisownwickedness,buthumanityfellbythewickednessofanother.

We are brought to the light of repentance by the coming of theRedeemer, but thefallenangelisnotbroughtbacktothelightofarestoredpositionbyanyhopeofpardon;hedoesnot changehiswaysandconvert.Therefore it isveryappropriate to say, “MayGodabovenotseekit,norlightshineuponit.”Inotherwords,“Sincehehasbroughtonthedarknesshimself,lethimsufferwhathehimselfhasmadeeternally.Andlethimneverrecover the lightofhis formerstate,sincehe left itwithoutevenbeingpersuaded todoso.”



God condemned Satan right away, but offers me a once-in-a-lifetime chance atredemption.AmIdoingeverythingIcantotakehimuponhisoffer?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,guidemetotruerepentance,sothatImaynotstrayintothewayofthefallenangels.

Weareforgivenbecauseoftheflesh

The angelswho sinned cannot be forgiven, says St.Gregory theGreat, because—having purely spiritual natures—they don’t have the excuse of the flesh. God ismerciful to us becausehe knows that ournature is combinedwithan element thatdragsusdown.

Thespiritsof theangelssinnedwithoutforgivenessforthisreason:becausetheymighthavestoodstronger,sincenomixtureoffleshheldthemcaptive.Butweweregivenpardon after sin for this reason: because, having a body of flesh,we have a thing thatmakesusbeneathourselves.

Thus,intheeyeoftheJudge,thisweaknessofthefleshisitselfgroundsforshowingpity—asthepsalmistsays:

“Yet he, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them; herestrainedhisangeroften,anddidnotstirupallhiswrath.Herememberedthattheywerebutflesh”(Ps.78:38-39).



Godhasmercy on us becausewe areweaker than angels.Butwhat am I doing tobuildupmyspiritualstrength?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Iamweak,Lord,butsendmeyourangelstostrengthenmeandmakemeworthyforyourservice.

Wedon’tdeserveGod’smercy

Theevilangels,saysSt.Augustine,sufferthejustpunishmentfortheirbetrayal.Wemight have suffered the same way, but instead God chose to show us completelyundeservedmercy.

Thewholehumanracewascondemned,ruined.Itdelightedinevil.Itplummetedfrom one evil to another. It made common cause with the fallen angels, and it wassufferingthepunishment—whichwascompletelydeserved—foritswickedbetrayal.ForwemustsaythatGod’sangerisquiterightlyturnedonthethingswickedpeopledofreely,intheirblind,uncontrolledlust.Obviously,whateverpunishmentstheyhavetosuffer,intheopenorinsecret,comefromthatanger.ButthegoodnessoftheCreatorneverstopssustaininglifeandvigor,evenfortheevilangels.Ifthatsustenanceweretakenaway,theywouldnolongerexist.

Humanitycomesfromacorruptandcondemnedline.Butwestillhavethepowertoconceiveoffspring,todirectourlimbsintheirworldlybusiness,andtonourishthebody.Goddecidedthatitwasbettertobringgoodfromevilthannottoallowanyeviltoexist.

IfGodhaddecidedthathumanbeingscouldneverreform—ashediddecidewiththeevilangels—wouldn’tthathavebeenjust?HumanitydesertedGod.Weusedourpowersforevil,tostompdownandrunafoulofourCreator’slaws,thoughwecouldeasilyhavekept them.We stubbornly turned away fromGod’s light.We violated the image of theCreator in us. Using our free will for evil, we tore ourselves away from the healthydisciplineofGod’s law.Wouldn’t ithavebeen just ifGodhadcompletelyabandonedacreaturelikethat,andsentustotheeternalpunishmentwedeserved?

Godwouldcertainlyhavedonethatifhewereonlyjust,andnotmercifulaswell—ifhehadnotdecidedtomanifesthismercymuchmoredramaticallybypardoningsomewhodidnotdeserveit.



HowamIrepayingGod’scompletelyundeservedmercy?

DoIdoastheangelsdo,repayinghimwithalifeofconsistentservice?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian Angel, keep God’s mercy in my mind, and teach me to show the samecompassiontoothers.

Godshowedmercytoourweakness

If fallenhumanitydeservedmercy,whynot the fallenangels?Onereason, saysSt.Gregory theGreat, is our very weakness. Satan had themoral strength of a purespirit,butweconstantlystrugglewiththeweaknessofthebody.

Godwasabletocreategoodthingsoutofnothing.Likewise,whenhewilledit,healsorestored,bythemysteryofhisIncarnation,thegoodthingsthatwerelost.

Now,hehadmadetwocreationstocontemplatehim:theangelicandthehuman.Butpridestruckdownbothofthem,anddashedthemfromtheiruprightpositionoforiginalrighteousness.Butonewasclothed in flesh,and theotherhadnotweakness thatcomesfromtheflesh:anangelicbeingisonlyspirit,butahumanisbothspiritandflesh.

Thus,whentheCreatorhadcompassiontobringaboutredemption,itwasappropriatethathe shouldbringback tohim that creaturewhich,when it sinned,plainlyhad someweakness. It was also appropriate that the fallen angel should be driven down deeper,since,whenhefellfromfirmnessinstandingupright,hewasnotsupportinganyweaknessfromtheflesh.

Thusthepsalmist,speakingoftheRedeemer’scompassiononhumanity,atthesametime rightly set forth the very cause of hismercy: “He remembered that theywere butflesh.” In other words, because he saw their weaknesses, he would not punish theiroffensesseverely.



Unlike the angels, wemortals have to deal with theweakness of the flesh and itsappetites.Do I try to take intoaccount theweaknessofothersaroundme thewayGodtakesmyweaknessintoaccount?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Throughyourgrace,Lord,makemy frailnatureworthy to sanctifyyournamewiththeheavenlybeings.

EvenangelsaredarknesswithoutGod

The fallof theangels, saysSt.Augustine, showsushowcompletely every spiritualbeing—humanorangelic—dependsontheilluminationthatcomesfromGodalone.

Theangelsfell.Thehumansoulfell.Andthustheyshowustheabyssinthatdarkdeepthatwouldhavebeenreadyforthewholespiritualcreation,ifyouhadnotsaidfromthe beginning, “Let there be light,” and there had not been light, and every obedientintelligenceinyourcelestialcityhadnotclungtoyouandrestedinyourSpirit,whichisunchangeably hovering over everything changeable. Otherwise, even the Heaven ofheavensitselfwouldhavebeenadarkchasm,whereasnowitislightintheLord.

Thespiritswhofellawaydiscoveredtheirowndarknesswhentheywerestrippedofthegarmentsofyour light.Buteven in theirwretchedrestlessness,youclearlyshowushownobleyouhavemadetherationalcreature,towhichnothinglessthanyou—notevenitself—isenoughtogiveahappyrest.

Foryou,ourGod,willenlightenourdarkness.Ourgarmentsoflightcomefromyou,andthenourdarknesswillbeasnoon.



WhenIfeelrestlessordissatisfied,ismyfirstinstincttoturntoGodastheangelsofHeavendo?Orisittotrytofindsomewayofsatisfyingmyself,asSatanandhisangelsdid?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,Idependonyourlight; letmealwaysbedrawntoit,alongwiththeobedientangels,andneverseekrestinanythingelse.

Angelsandhumanshavefreewill

TatiantellsusthatbothhumansandangelswerecreatedthroughtheWord,andthatbothwerecreatedwithfreewill.Thereforeitisjustthatthegoodarepraisedandtheevilpunished,becausebothgoodandevilactscomefromthefreechoicesofGod’screatures.

TheheavenlyWord,aspiritthatcomesfromtheFather,aWordfromthepowerofthe word, in imitation of the Father who begot him made human beings an image ofimmortality,sothat,asGodisincorruptible,humanity,whichsharesapartofGod,wouldalsohavetheimmortalprinciple.

TheWordalsowastheFrameroftheangels,beforethecreationofhumanity.

Eachofthesetwokindsofcreatureswasmadefreetoactasitpleased—notthattheyhadthenatureofgood,which(again)belongstoGodalone,butisperfectedincreaturesthrough freedom of choice. So those who are bad are justly punished, because theybecamedepravedbytheirownfault.Butthejustdeservetobepraisedforthegoodthingstheyhavedone,since,byexercisingtheirfreechoice,theydidnotgoagainstthewillofGod.

Thisisthewaythingsarebothforangelsandforhumanbeings.

–Tatian,AddresstotheGreeks,7


DothethingsI’vedonetodaydeservemorepraiseorblame?WhydidIchoosethosethings,andcouldIhavechosenbetter?DidIremembertoaskmyguardianangelsforhelpinmakingthosechoices?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,Ientreatfromyouamessengerofpeace,afaithfulguide,andaguardianofmysoulandbody.

Liketheangels,wehavefreewill

Reason,saysSt.JohnofDamascus,isverycloselylinkedwithfreewill.Withreason,wecandecidewhat’sbest forourselves,andwithfreewillwecandoit—anabilitywesharewiththeangels.

Everyonewhodeliberatesdoessobelievingthatthechoiceofwhattodoliesinhishands—thathemaychoosewhatseemsbestastheresultofhisdeliberation,andhavingchosenmayactuponit.

And if this is so, free will must necessarily be very closely related to reason. Foreithermanisanirrationalbeing,or,ifheisrational,heismasterofhisactsandendowedwithfreewill.Thuscreatureswithoutreasondonotenjoyfreewill:natureleadsthem,buttheydonot leadnature.And so theydonotoppose thenatural appetite, but as soonastheirappetitelongsforsomethingtheyrushheadlongafterit.

Butwe,being rational, leadnature;naturedoesnot leadus.Andsowhenwewantsomething,wehavethepowertocurbourappetiteortoindulgeit—whicheverweplease.Thereforecreaturesthathavenoreasonareneitherpraisednorblamed,whilemanisthesubjectofbothpraiseandblame.

Notealsothattheangels,beingrational,areendowedwithfreewill,and,sincetheyarecreated,are liable tochange. Infact, this ismadeplainby thedevil,whowasmadegood by theCreator, but of his own freewill became the inventor of evil—and by thepowers who revolted with him (the demons), and by the other troops of angels whopersistedingoodness.

–St.JohnofDamascus,ExpositionoftheChristianFaith,2.27


Do I use my freedom faithfully, as the angels do? Do I act with forethought andprayer?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holy Guardian Angel, you are with me in every decision I face. Help me to beattentivetoyourpromptings.

Ourfreedomisdifferentfromtheangels’

Like the angels, says St. John of Damascus, we have free will; but it’s a little bitdifferent. For the angel, the choice comes instantaneously. For us, limited by ourbodiesandattackedbythedevil,thechoiceisneverinstantaneous:wearefacedwithasituation,andthendecidewhattodoaboutit.

Freedomofwillisusedinseveralsenses:oneinconnectionwithGod,anotherinconnectionwithangels,andathirdinconnectionwithhumanbeings.

UsedinreferencetoGod,itistobeunderstoodastranscendingordinarybeing.

Inreferencetoangels,itistobetakeninthesensethatthechoicecomesatthesametimeasthestate,andnointervaloftimeatallcomesbetweenthem:forwhiletheangelhas free will by nature, he uses it without any hindrance, having neither the body’santipathytoovercomenoranyonetoattackhim.

Again,usedinreferencetohumanbeings,itistobetakeninthesensethatthestateisconsideredtocomebeforethechoiceintime.Formanisfreeandhasfreewillbynature,buthehasalsotheassaultofthedevilandthemotionofthebodytoimpedehim:andthusthroughtheassaultandtheweightofthebody,thechoicecomestobelaterthanthestate.



Godhasgivenustimetoworkoutourchoices.Inthetimehegivesus,weshouldcalluponthehelpoftheangelstohelpusmaketherightdecision.

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,sendyourangelstoguideme,sothatImayalwaysbefoundareadyministerofyourwill.

It’sgoodtobehuman

Somehereticalwritershadsaidthattherewouldbenobodilyresurrection,butthatwe would be pure spirits like the angels. St. Methodius argues that, if God hadwantedustobeangels,hewouldn’thavemadeushuman.

Goddidn’tmakeahumanbeingandthen—asifhehaddoneitbadly,ormadeamistake in forminghim—decide tomakeanangel, repentingofhiswork, as reallybadcraftsmendo.Nordidhe try tomakean angel and fail, endingupwith ahumanbeinginstead—thatwouldbeasignofweakness.

Thenwhydidhemakehumanbeingsandnotangels,ifhewantedhumanbeingstobeangelsandnothuman?Wasitbecausehecouldn’tmakeangels?Itwouldbeblasphemytothinkso!Orwashesobusymakingtheworsethathedilly-dalliedaboutthebetter?That’ssilly,too.Goddoesn’tfailinmakingwhatisgood,andhedoesn’tputitoff,andhe’snotincapable of it.He has the power to act how andwhen he pleases, since he himself isPower.

Soifheoriginallymadeushuman,it’sbecausehewantedustobehuman.

Butifthatwaswhathewanted,then,sinceGodwantsthegood,tobehumanisgood.

–St.Methodius,DiscourseontheResurrection,1.11


Godmademehumanandnotanangelforareason.AmIclosetobeingthehumanbeingGodhadinmind?OrdoesmywillleadmeawayfromGod’soriginalintentionforme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,Iamweakerthananangel,butyoumademeweakerbecauseitwasgoodformetobeahumanbeing.Helpmyweaknessthroughyourmercyandtheaidofyourgrace.

BetteraprisonerforChristthananangel

Itsoundscrazy,saysSt.JohnChrysostom,butaChristianwouldratherbeaprisonerwithPaul thanbe transformed intoanangel inHeaven.Suffering forChrist is thegreatestprivilegeaChristiancaneverknow.

Yes, to everyoneelse it seems like folly that to sufferdishonor is tobe countedworthy, that to suffer dishonor is to rejoice. But to those who understand the love ofChrist,thisiswhatcountsasthemostblessedthingofall!

IfanyoneofferedmethechoiceofallHeavenor thatchain, I’dprefer thechain. Ifanyoneaskedwhetherhe shouldputmeuponhighwith theangelsorwithPaul inhisshackles,I’dchoosetheprison.IfanyonecouldchangemeeitherintooneofthosepowersthatareinHeavenallaroundthethrone,orintoaprisonerlikePaul,I’dchoosetobetheprisoner.

Nothingismoreblessedthanthatchain.IfonlyIcouldbeinthatveryspotrightnow—they say the shackles are still there—to see and admire those men for their love ofChrist!IfonlyIcouldseethechainsatwhichthedevilsfearandtremble,butwhichtheangelsreverence!

NothingismorenoblethantosufferanyevilforChrist’ssake.

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily8onEphesians


WhatopportunitiestosufferforChristhaveIpasseduprecently?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardianangel, teachme to preferGod’s presence to everything, every comfort increation.HolyApostleSt.Paul,intercedeforme,thatImaybeattentivetotheangels,asyouwere,andthattheymayleadmetoheaven,astheyledyou.

SatanpresentshimselfbeforetheLord

Satanstillhasanangel’snature,saysSt.GregorytheGreat.Althoughhehasfallen,heisstillrightlyclassedwiththeangelsintheBookofJob.

“NowtherewasadaywhenthesonsofGodcametopresentthemselvesbeforetheLord,andSatanalsocameamongthem”(Job1:6).

It iscertainlynecessary toaskhowSatancame tobe thereamong theelectangels,whenlongbeforehehadbeencondemnedandbanishedfromamongthem—whichiswhathispridemadenecessary.

Butheiswellsaidtohavebeenamongthem.Thoughhehadlosthisblessedstate,hestillhadanatureliketheirs.Thoughhisdemeritssinkhimdown,heisstillliftedupbytheattributesofhissubtlenature.

So it says he came before the Lord among the “sons ofGod,” because the eye ofAlmightyGod looks on everything spiritual and sees that Satan also has amore subtlenature—asScripturetellsus:“TheeyesoftheLordareineveryplace,keepingwatchontheevilandthegood”(Prov.15:3).



Knowingthat“theeyesofGodareineveryplace,”areGod’seyesonmetoprotectme,ortoprotectothersfromme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,protectmefromtemptation,sothatImayfindmercyandgracewithallthesaintsthathavebeenpleasingtoyousincetheworldbegan.

Whencehaveyoucome?

When Satan appears before the Lord, God asks him, “Whence have you come?”That’snotbecauseGodwasignorantofwhereSatanhadbeen,saysSt.GregorytheGreat.It’sGod’swayofsayingthatSatanhasnotbeendoinghiswill.

“The Lord said to Satan, ‘Whence have you come?’ Satan answered the Lord,‘Fromgoingtoandfroontheearth,andfromwalkingupanddownonit’”(Job1:7).

Whydidn’theeversaytotheelectangels,“Whencehaveyoucome?”—buthedoesaskSatanwherehecomesfrom?Certainlyweneveraskunlesswedon’tknow.

But forGod, “not knowing”means condemning.Thus at the last judgment hewillsay,“Idonotknowwhereyoucomefrom;departfromme,allyouworkersofiniquity!”(Luke13:27).Inthesameway,whenatruthfulmanrefusestosinbyfalsehood,wesayhedoesn’tknowhowtolie.Wedon’tmeanthatheisignorantifhereallywantedtolie,butthatherefusestotellaliebecausehelovesthetruth.

So saying “Whence have you come?” to Satan is condemning his ways as if Goddidn’t know them. Sowhile Satan is interrogated aboutwhere he came from, the electangelsneverhave tobequestionedaboutwhere theycamefrom.Godknowswhat theydo,sincetheydoitathisowninstigation.Whiletheyservehiswillalone,theycanneverbeunknowntohim.



DoesGod knowwhere I’m coming from?What should I be doing to avoid being“unknown”thewaySatanis?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, you knowmy frailty; deliverme from the evil oneandhisworks, andall hismaliceandcraftiness.

SatandoesnotseeGod

ExaminingthebookofJob,St.GregorytheGreatencountersapuzzleverynearthebeginning.HowcouldSatancomebeforetheLordwhenonlythepureinheartshallseeGod?Theanswer,hesays, is thatGodsawSatan,butSatandidnot really seeGod.

“NowtherewasadaywhenthesonsofGodcametopresentthemselvesbeforetheLord,andSatanalsocameamongthem”(Job1:6).

When it says that Satan camebefore the presence ofGod, that raises an importantquestionforus.Itiswritten,“Blessedarethepureinheart,fortheyshallseeGod”(Matt.5:8).ButSatancanneverbepureinheart.HowcouldhehavepresentedhimselftoseetheLord?

Butwe shouldnotice that it sayshecamebefore theLord,butnot thathesaw theLord.Hecametobeseen,nottosee.HewasintheLord’ssight,buttheLordwasnotinhissight.Inthesamewayablindmanstandinginthesunreallyisbathedintheraysoflight,buthehimselfdoesnotseethelightthatbrightenshimatall.

ThisishowSatanappearedintheLord’ssightamongtheangels.ThepowerofGodpenetrates everythingwith a look.God saw the impure spirit, but the spirit did not seehim.EventhethingsthatrunawayfromGod’sfacecannotbehidden.Allthingsarebarein theviewof theMostHigh.ThusSatan,whowasabsent,cameto theLord,whowaspresent.



WhenIcomebeforetheLord,willIbeblindlikeSatan,orwillIseewhatthepureinheartwillsee?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Countmeworthy,lovingLord,tocallonyouwithacontritespirit,withapureheart,andwithsanctifiedlips,sothatImayseeyouwiththepurespiritsofHeavenandallthesaints.

God’slighttakesinthedarkness

MeditatingonthefirstappearanceofSataninJob,St.GregorytheGreatlooksatthesetting:“therewasaday.”WhydoesScripture specifya certainday?St.Gregoryoffersonesymbolicinterpretation.

Or,consideringthatSatanwasthereaswell,wasHolyScriptureintendingtopointout,bysayingthatthishappenedonacertainday,thatinthelightGodsawthedarkness?

Wecannot take in lightanddarkness in thesameview.Whentheeyeloomsonthedarkness,thelightretreats.Whentheeyeturnstotheshiningraysoflight,theshadowsofthedarknessvanish.

ButtothatPowerwhounchangeablyseesallchangeablethings,Satanwaspresentasintheday.ThelightofGodtakesinundimmedthedarknessofthefallenangel.

AsIsaid,wecannotlookinoneviewbothattheobjectsthatweapproveandchoose,and at the objectswe condemn and reject.Whenever themind is tuned to one, it turnsawayfromtheother,andwhenitisbroughtbacktotheseconditturnsawayfromthefirst.

ButGodseeseverythingat thesamemomentwithoutchanging.SoSatan issaid tocomebeforehimonaday,meaningthatthelightofGod’seternityisimpervioustoanycloudofchange.



Giventhechoice,doIlookmoretowardthedarknessofthefallenangelsortowardthelightofGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, scatter the darkness of sin within me. Save me from the devil and histemptations,andbringmeupfromthedepthsofdarknessintolight.

Wrathagainstthedevilismercyonsinners

WhydoesthePsalmistaskGodto“ariseinyouranger”?St.Augustinesuggeststhatthisisactuallyaprayerofcharity.The“anger”oftheLordshouldpunishthedevilbytakingthesoulsofsinnersawayfromhimandbringingthembacktoGod.

“Arise,OLord,inyouranger”(Ps.7:6).

Wesayheisperfect.ThenwhydoesheinciteGodtoanger?Shouldn’tweaskinsteadwhetherhewasperfectwho,whenhewasbeingstoned,said,“Lord,donotholdthissinagainstthem”(Acts7:60)?

Or is thePsalmist praying, not against humanbeings, but against thedevil andhisangels, towhomsinnersand theungodlybelong? In thatcase,hedoesnotprayagainsthiminwrath,butinmercy.

Whensomeonewhoisungodlyisjustified,heismadejustinsteadofungodly,andhepassesoutofthepossessionofthedevilandintothetempleofGod.Ifyouwanttoruleover something, and the possessionof it is taken away fromyou, that is a punishment.Andthispunishment—thatheshouldnolongerpossessthosewhomhenowpossesses—iswhatthePsalmistcallsthe“anger”ofGodagainstthedevil.

–St.Augustine,ExpositiononPsalm7


HowmuchtimehaveIspentlatelyprayingforthedeliveranceofsinnerswhohavegiventhemselvesovertobondagetothedevil?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,rememberyourstrayingsheep,andallwhoneedthetendercareofyourholyangels.

TheworldbelongstoChrist,notSatan

Satan temptedChrist by promising to give him all the kingdoms of theworld. Butthosearenothistogive,saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria.AllthekingdomsoftheworldalreadybelongtoChrist,andanypowerSatanhasishisonlybyfraud.

“And the devil took him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a

moment of time” (Luke 4:5).Malignant,wicked, and cursed being!How did you dareshowtheLordallthekingdomsofthewholecreation,andsay,“Allthesearemine;nowthereforeifyouwillfalldownandworshipme,Iwillgivethemtoyou”?Howcanyoupromisewhatisnotyours?WhomadeyouheirofGod’skingdom?WhomadeyoulordofallunderHeaven?Youhaveseized these thingsby fraud.Restore them therefore to theincarnateSon,theLordofall.

Hear what the prophet Isaiah says about you: “For a burning place has long beenprepared;yea, for theking it ismadeready, itspyremadedeepandwide,withfireandwood inabundance; thebreathof theLord, like a streamofbrimstone,kindles it” (Isa.30:33).Thenhowdidyou,whoselotistheinextinguishableflame,promisetotheKingofallwhathealreadyowns?Didyouthinkhewouldworshipyou—heatwhomall thingstremble—whiletheSeraphimandalltheangelicalpowershymnhisglory?

“Itiswritten,‘YoushallworshiptheLordyourGod,andhimonlyshallyouserve’”(Luke4:8).Itwasappropriateforhimtomentionthiscommandment,strikingasitwerehis very heart. For before his advent, Satan had deceived all under Heaven, and washimself everywhereworshiped:but the lawofGod, ejectinghim from thedominionhehadusurpedby fraud, has commandedmen toworship only himwhobynature and intruthisGod,andtoofferservicetohimalone.



WhenI feel tempted todespairover theworld,does ithelp toremember thatSatanhasnorealrule,andthatChristwinsintheend?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Preserveme,Lord,fromalltemptationsoftheevilone,andkeepmeinyourservice.

EvenSatan’ssinaccomplishedGod’swill

God’splanissowellthoughtoutthateventhesinfulfreewillofSatanandthewickedangelscouldnotgoagainstit.Infact,saysSt.Augustine,Godcontrivestousetheirsin,andours,tobringabouthiswill.

Thesearethegreat“worksoftheLord:soughtoutaccordingtoallhiswills”(Ps.111:2).Infact,theyaresowisely“soughtout”that,whenhisangelicandhumancreationsinned—thatis,didnotdowhathewilled,butwhatitwilled—hecouldstillaccomplishwhathehimselfhadwilled.AndheaccomplisheditthroughthesamewillinhiscreaturesbywhichthefirstactagainsttheCreator’swillhadbeendone.AstheSupremeGood,hemade good use of evil deeds, for the condemnation of those whom he had justlypredestined to punishment and for the salvation of those whom he had mercifullypredestinedtograce.

Asfarastheywereconcerned,theyweredoingwhatGoddidnotwillthemtodo.ButasfarasGod’somnipotenceisconcerned,theywerequiteunabletoachievetheirpurpose.Bytheirveryactofgoingagainsthiswill,theyaccomplishedhiswill.Thisisthemeaningofthestatement,“GreataretheworksoftheLord:soughtoutaccordingtoallhiswills”:that in a strange and indescribableway evenwhat is doneagainst hiswill is not donewithouthiswill.Itwouldnotbedoneifhedidnotallowit(andsurelyhispermissionisnotunwillingbutwilling),norwouldhewhoisgoodallowtheeviltobedone,unlessinhisomnipotencehecouldbringgoodevenoutofevil.



WeknowthatnothingcanreallybedonewithoutGod’swill.ButisGod’swillbeingaccomplished throughmyownwill, as it iswith thegoodangels,or in spiteof it,withSatanandhisangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,makemeaninstrumentofyourwill,andremoveeverymotionofmyspiritthatisnotinaccordancewithyourwill.Makemetoserveasyourangelsserve.

Thedevil’spowertohurtcomesfromGod

Thedevilwillsevil,saysSt.Augustine,butGod’swill isalwaysdoneeven throughthewickednessofthedevil.Nevertheless,Satanwillberightfullypunished,becausehiswillwas,andis,tohurtus.

Even the power of those who are hurtful is from God alone. For it is notunrighteousthat,whenthewickedreceivethepowerofbeinghurtful,boththepatienceofthegoodshouldbetestedandtheiniquityoftheevilpunished.ThroughpowergiventothedevilJobwastestedsothathemightappearrighteous,andPeterwastemptedsothatheshouldnotbepresumptuous,andPaulwasbuffetedso thatheshouldnotbeexalted,andJudaswasdamnedsothatheshouldhanghimself.

Sowhen,throughthepowerhehasgiventhedevil,Godhimselfhasdoneallthingsrighteously, nevertheless punishment will at last be rendered to the devil—not becausethesethingswerejustlydone,butforhisunrighteouswillingtobehurtful,whichwashisown will. Then it will be said to the impious who persevered in consenting to hiswickedness,“Departfrommeintotheeternalfirepreparedfor thedevilandhisangels”(Matt.25:41).

–St.Augustine,OntheNatureofGood,AgainsttheManicheans,32


InwhatwaysamIconsentingtothedevil’swickednesseveryday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Sovereignalmighty, fromwhomallpowercomes,cleansemymindandmythoughtsfromallinfluenceofthedevil.

EventheevilangelsareGod’sinstruments

Godusestheevilangelsashisinstrumentsforcorrectingus,saysSt.Augustine.Thepurposeofthesepunishmentsistobringusbacktotherightpath,sothatwewon’tbecondemnedforeveratthelastjudgment.

“Godisajustjudge,strongandpatient:isheangryeveryday?”(Ps.7:11).WhatGodisjudge,buttheLord,whojudgesthepeople?

Heisjust;“hewillrepayeverymanforwhathehasdone”(Matt.16:27).

He is strong,meaning inendurance; thoughhe isall-powerful, forour salvationheevenputupwithungodlypersecutors.

He ispatient; afterhis resurrection,hedidnothurryoff right away topunish eventhosewhopersecutedhim,butputupwiththem,sothattheymightatlastturnfromthatungodlinesstosalvation.Andstillheputsupwiththem,reservingthelastpenaltyforthelastjudgment,anduptothispresenttimeinvitingsinnerstorepentance.

“Is he angry every day?” Perhaps “bringing in anger” would be a better way ofputtingitthan“beingangry”(andsowefinditintheGreekcopies).Inotherwords,theangerwithwhichhepunishesisnotinhim,butinthemindsofthoseministerswhoobeythe commandments of truth, through whom orders are given right down to the lowerministries,whoarecalledangelsofwrath,topunishsin.Theydelightinthepunishmentofmortalsnotforthesakeofjustice,inwhichtheyhavenopleasure,butforthesakeofmalice. God then does not bring in anger every day—that is, he does not collect hisministersforvengeanceeveryday.FornowthepatienceofGodinvitestorepentance:butin the last time,whenmortals throughtheirhardnessandunrepentantheartshavestoredup for themselveswrath “on the day of wrathwhenGod’s righteous judgment will berevealed”(Rom.2:5),thenhewillbrandishhissword.

–St.Augustine,ExpositiononPsalm7


DoIlookuponmymisfortunesasoccasionsofconversion?DoIstandwiththegoodangelsineverydayskirmishesofspiritualwarfare?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holy angels, winme the fortitude to face adversity, to accept chastisement formysins,andtogrowinvirtuethroughthetrialsthatGodpermitsinmylife.

Demonsareweaponsagainstthedevil

Evenwhentheevilangelsturntheirstrengthagainstus,saysSt.Augustine,they’reactuallyweaponsinourstruggleagainstSatan.Ifwedon’tdespairwhenwerunintotrouble,thenSatanloses,andwe’remadestrongerbythestruggle.

Youhavemademethereproachofthefoolish.Youhavesowilledit,thatIshouldliveamong those, andpreach theTruthamong those,who lovevanity; and I can’thelpbeinglaughingstocktothem.For“wehavebecomeaspectacletotheworld,toangelsandtomen”(1Cor.4:9): toangelswhopraiseus,and tomenwhocensureus.Or rather toangels,someofwhompraise,someofwhomarecensuringus,andtomenalso,someofwhomarepraising,andsomecensuringus.

Boththeoneandtheotherareweaponsforus.Theoneisontherighthand,theotherontheleft,butbothofthemareweapons.Bothofthesekindsofweapons,boththoseontherighthandandthoseontheleft—boththosewhopraise,andthosewhocensure—boththosewhopayushonor,andthosewhoheapdishonoruponus—withboththesekinds,Isay,Ifightagainstthedevil;withbothoftheseIstrikehim.Idefeathimwithprosperity,ifIamnotcorruptedbyit;Idefeathimbyadversity,ifIamnotbrokeninspiritbyit.



What’stroublingmemostrightnow?HowcanIuseitasaweaponagainstSatan?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,inmyjourney,alwaysdefendmefromthetroublesandstormsstirredupbythedevil.

EvenmagiccomesfromGod’swill

Themagicians ofPharaoh, says St. Augustine,were able to duplicate some of theplagues by magic. But their magic had its limits. Nothing can be done, even bymagic,withoutGod’swill.

Now, aweak judgmentmight askwhymiracles like these can also be done bymagic—forthewisemenofPharaohalsomadeserpents,anddidothersimilarthings.

Yetitisstillmorewonderfulthatthepowerofthosemagicians,thoughitcouldmakeserpents,completelyfailedwhenitcametoverysmallflies.Gnats, thethirdplaguethatstruck the proud people of Egypt, are very short-lived little flies, but the magicianscertainlyfailedtomakethem,saying,“ThisisthefingerofGod”(Exod.8:19).

Thistellsusthatnoteventhoseangelsandpowersoftheairwhosinned,whohavebeenthrowndownfromtheirhomesintheloftyetherealpuritytothelowestdarknessastheir own special prison, who give the magic arts whatever power they have, can doanythingexceptbypowergivenfromabove.



Howdoes itchangemyviewof theworld toknowthateventhewickedangelsgettheirpoweronlyfromGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, turnmeaway fromdealingswithdemonsandeverywicked thing,and letmedevotemywholelifetoyou.

ThewillofGodisthecauseofeverything

St.Augustineargues that thewill ofGod isultimately the causeof everything thathappensintheworld.AlongthewayhegivesusabeautifulpictureofHeaven,wheretheangelsare“combinedinonewillbyakindofspiritualfireoflove.”

Let us turn our thoughts to that heavenly country above, from which we arepilgrimsdownhere.TherethewillofGod,whomakestheangelsspirits,andhisministersaburningfire(Ps.104:4),presidesamongspirits joined inperfectpeaceandfriendship.Theyarecombinedinonewillbyakindofspiritualfireoflove.ThereGod’swill,initsown house and temple, sits, so to speak, on a high and holy secret seat. From there itspreads itself through all things by perfectly ordered movements of the creature—firstspiritual,andthenbodily.Ituseseverythingaccordingto theunchangeablechoiceof itsownwill—bodilessorbodilythings,rationalorirrationalspirits,goodbyhisgraceorevilbytheirownwill.

Butthecoarserandlowerbodiesaregovernedindueorderbythelivingspirit,andthelivingspiritwithoutintelligenceisgovernedbythelivingspiritwithintelligence,andtheintelligentlivingspiritthatfallsandsinsisgovernedbytheintelligentlivingspiritthatispiousandjust,andthatisgovernedbyGodhimself.

Soeverycreature isgovernedby itsCreator.From, through,and in itsCreator it iscreatedandestablished.

Thus it happens that thewill ofGod is the first and highest cause of every bodilyappearanceandmotion.



HowcouldIcombinemywillwiththewilloftheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holy Lord, I am sinful, but accept my praise along with the praise of the holyCherubimandSeraphim.

PursuedbytheangeloftheLord

A terrifying image fromPsalm35 provokes St.Augustine tomeditate on howGodpunishes.WhenGodsendshisangeltopursuethewicked,it’snotoutofanger,butsimplythenatureofrighteousnessatwork.

“Letthembelikechaffbeforethewind,withtheangeloftheLorddrivingthemon!Let theirwaybedarkandslippery,with theangelof theLordpursuing them!” (Ps.35:5-6).

Ahorribleway!Everyoneisafraidofdarknessalone,andeveryoneavoidsaslipperywayalone.Howwillyougoinadarkandslipperyway?Wherewillyoufindafoothold?

These two evils are the great punishments of humanity. Darkness is ignorance. Aslipperywayisluxury.

“WiththeangelsoftheLordpursuingthem”:sothattheywillnotbeabletostand.Ifyouwereinadarkandslipperyway,andyouseethatyouwillfallifyoumoveyourfoot,andthereisnolightinfrontofyou,youmightdecidetowaituntillightcame.ButhereistheangeloftheLordpursuingyou!

The Psalmist predicted that these thingswould happen to them—not as though hewanted them to happen.But even though the prophet says these things in the Spirit ofGod, in the samewayGoddoes,with sure judgment,with a judgmentgood, righteous,holy, tranquil—notmovedwith anger, orwith bitter jealousy, orwith a desire tomakeenemies,butofpunishingwickednesswithrighteousness—nevertheless,itisaprophecy.



AmI indangeroffallinginto the“darkandslipperyway,”with theangelpursuingme?WhatamIdoingtoovercomeignoranceandluxury?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, send yourangels topursue thosewhomistreatme, towin themover to yourcause,toinspiretheirconversion,togivethemtruepeace.

Angelsareavengingpowers

Althoughthegoodangelswantnothingmorethanoursalvation,sometimestheymustbetheinstrumentsofGod’sjudgment.St.JohnChrysostompointsoutthat,althoughGodcamedown toearthhimself tosaveus,when it isnecessary topunishus thatworkisusuallydonebytheangels.

Letusnotbeundulyphilosophical.Letusshowourselvespitying,thatwemaybepitied.

There’snothinglikethisbeautifultrait:tous,nothingsomarksthestampofhumannatureasshowingpityandbeingkindtoourfellowhumans.Infact,thisiswhythelawsconsignthewholebusinessofpunishmenttopublicexecutioners.Theycompelthejudgetopunishsofarastopronouncethesentence,butafterthattheycallontheexecutionerstoperformtheactitself.

Thisisagreattruth:thoughthepunishmentisjust,itisnotthepartofageneroussoultoinflictpunishment.Itrequiresanothersortofpersonforthis.EvenGoddoesn’tpunishbyhisownhand,butbymeansoftheangels.

Thenaretheyexecutioners,theangels?Godforbid!I’mnotsayingthat.Buttheyareavengingpowers.WhenSodomwasdestroyed,thewholethingwasdonebythemastheinstruments.WhenthejudgmentsinEgyptwereinflicted,itwasthroughthem.

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily43ontheActsoftheApostles


PityisavirtuewovenintoournaturebyGod,anditisareflectionofdivinemercy.DoIcharacteristicallyshowthisvirtue?DoIreflectGod’sjudgment—asfaithfullyastheangelsdo—inmyownjudgments?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpmeto judgewisely the thingsof thisearth,so thatwithyouImayenjoythethingsofHeaven.

Beingpunishedisnotanevil

Are the angels evilwhen they punish sinners?No, saysDionysius the Areopagite:whatisevilisnotbeingjustlypunishedwhenwehaveearnedpunishment.

Evil does not exist in the angels. By participation, the angel is in a secondarydegreewhatGod,whomheannounces,isinthefirstdegreeasCause.Iftheangelwhohasthe likeness of good proclaims the goodness of God, then the angel is a likeness ofAlmightyGod:amanifestationoftheunmanifestedLight—anuntarnishedmirror,asclearas can be, flawless, pure,without spot.He receives, so to speak, the full beauty of thegood-stamped likeness of God without stain. Then he pours out, without impurity, thegoodnessoftheSilencewhodwellsintheinnermostshrines.

Evil,then,isnoteveninangels.Butaretheyevilwhentheypunishsinners?Bythatrule thosewhopunishcriminalswouldbeevil,andsowould thosepriestswhoshut theprofaneoutofthedivinemysteries.

Butbeingpunishedisnotanevil;whatisevilisbecomingworthyofpunishmentinthefirstplace.Andbeingdeservedlyexpelledfromholythingsisnotevil;whatisevilisbecomingaccursedbyGod,andunholy,andunfitforthingsthatareundefiled.



Weallsinandbecomeworthyofpunishment.ButhowoftendoIaskmyguardianangelforhelpinresistingtemptation?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,bewithmewhenIconfessmysins;remindmeofthetransgressionsIneedtoconfess,andhelpshieldmefromthetemptationtosinagain.

Angelshatechastisingus

TheangelsaresometimesministersofGod’sjustchastisement.Buttheydon’tlikeit,St.Ambrosetellsus.Remember,hesays, thattheangelsinHeavenrejoiceoverthesalvationofevenonesinner.

Andshouldn’twebelievethattheangelsthemselves,whointhetoilsofthisworldfulfillvariousministries,aswereadintheRevelationofSt.John,alsogroanwhenthey’remadetheministersofvengeanceanddestruction?Sincetheirlifeisblessed,wouldn’ttheyratherspenditintheiroriginalstateoftranquilitythanbeinterruptedbytheinflictionofvengeance on our sins? If they rejoice in the salvation of one sinner, surely theymustgroanoverthemiseriesofsuchgrievoussins.

SoifthecreaturesandpowersofHeavensufferthebondageofcorruption,butstillinhope that hereafter they may rejoice on our behalf and together with us, let us alsoalleviatethesufferingsofthispresenttimebythehopeandexpectationoffutureglory.



WhenIhearofsomeonereceivingajustpunishment,ismyfirstreaction“serveshimright”?OrdoIremember,liketheangels,toprayforhissalvation?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,Ipraythatyouwillnotsendchastisementstooheavyformystrength,butsendyourangelstopreservemefromalltemptationsoftheenemy.

Don’tlisteneventoanangelpreachingheresy

St. Paul warned the Galatians not to listen even to an angel from Heaven if hepreachedanygospelotherthanwhattheyhadalreadyheard.Couldaheavenlyangelactuallydothat?No,saysSt.VincentofLerins.ButSt.Paulmeansthat,eveniftheimpossibledidhappen,weshouldneverdeviatefromtheonegospel.

Thesepeoplewerewanderingaroundinprovincesandcities,carryingtheirvenalerrorswiththem.SomeofthemhadfoundtheirwaytoGalatia,andwhentheGalatiansheardthem,theyfeltsickofthetruthandvomitedupthemannaofApostolicandCatholicdoctrine.Theyweredelightedwiththegarbageofhereticalnovelty.

Theapostle thenhad toexercise theauthorityofhisofficeanddeliverhissentencewiththeutmostseverity.“Butevenifwe,oranangelfromHeaven,shouldpreachtoyouagospelcontrarytothatwhichwepreachedtoyou,lethimbeaccursed”(Gal.1:8).

Whydoeshesay“evenifwe”?Whynot“evenifI”?

Hemeans even if Peter, or Andrew, or John—in short, thewhole company of theapostles—shouldpreachsomethingcontrarytowhatwehavepreachedtoyou,lethimbeaccursed.

What tremendous severity!He sparesneitherhimselfnorhis fellowapostles, sohemaypreserveunalteredthefaiththatwasfirstdelivered.Noristhisall.Hegoeson:“EvenifanangelfromHeavenshouldpreachtoyouagospelcontrarytothatwhichwepreachedtoyou,lethimbeaccursed.”Forthepreservationofthefaithasitwasdelivered,itwasnotenoughjusttorefertohumanbeings:hehadtotakeinangelsaswell.“Evenifwe,oranangelfromHeaven.”Not that theholyangelsofHeavenarecapableofsinningnow.Butwhathemeansisthis:“Evenifwhatcannothappendidhappen—ifanyone,whoeverhemaybe,shouldattempttoalterthefaithonceforalldelivered,lethimbeaccursed.”

–St.VincentofLerins,Commonitory,8


DoIseekthehelpoftheangelsinthediscernmentofspirits?DoIrecognizethatnotevenanangelwilldaretocontradicttheteachingofChrist’sChurch?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,protectmewithyourpower,andkeepmeinthelightofdivinetruth.

Angelsareboundtothegospel

The Donatists were a schismatic sect that called itself the only true Church. St.Augustinewarns thatnoone—not evenanangel—can trulypreachanygospelbutthegospelChristpreachedtous.

YouwerekindenoughtotellusaboutthelettersenttoyoubyaDonatistpriest—although,with the spirit of a trueCatholic, youhold it in contempt.So, to help you inseekinghiswelfare(assumingthathisfollyisn’tincurable),webegyoutoforwardtohimthefollowingreply.

HewrotethatanangelhadtoldhimtodeclaretoyoutheepiscopalsuccessionoftheChristianityofyourtown—toyou,mindyou,whoholdtheChristianitynotofyourowntown only, nor of Africa only, but of the whole world: the Christianity that has beenpublished,andisnowpublishedtoallnations.

Thisprovesthattheydon’tthinkit’simportantthattheythemselvesarenotashamedofbeingcutoff,andthattheyaren’tdoinganythingtocomebacktogetherwithuswhileit’sstillpossible.They’renothappyunlesstheydotheirbesttocutothersoff,andbringthemtosharetheirownfate,asdried-upbranchesfitfortheflames.

So, even if you had yourself been visited by that angel he says appeared to him(whichwethinkwasjustacunningfiction),andeveniftheangelhadsaidtoyoutheverywordshesayshewastoldtosaytoyou—eveninthatcaseitwouldhavebeenyourdutytorememberthewordsoftheApostle:“Butevenifwe,oranangelfromHeaven,shouldpreach toyouagospelcontrary to thatwhichwepreached toyou, lethimbeaccursed”(Gal.1:8).

–St.Augustine,Letter53,1.1


AmIcarefultoseekthehelpoftheholyangels?DoItakecaretoaddressmyangeldirectlyas“myguardianangel”or“AngelofGod”?

CLOSINGPRAYER

My Guardian Angel, all you holy angels, protect me from the works and thedeceptionsofmaliciousspirits.

Helpingahereticescapefalseangels

When asked for advice on dealingwith a hereticwho claimed to have revelationsfromangels,St.Augustinegavethissensibleadvice.IftheangelisleadingawayfromCatholic truth, it’sa falseangel.Butdon’tdespisehim: instead, lethimknowhowmuchyoulovehimandwanthimbackintheChurch.

TheApostlePaulsayssomewherethatevenSatantransformshimselfintoanangelof light, so it isnot strange thathis servants shoulddisguise themselvesasministersofrighteousness(2Cor.11:13-15).Soifyourcorrespondentreallydidseeanangelteachinghimerror,andwantingtoseparateChristiansfromtheCatholicunity,hehasmetanangelofSatantransforminghimselfintoanangeloflight.Ontheotherhand,ifhehasliedtoyou, and he did not see such a vision, then he himself is a servant of Satan disguisinghimselfasaministerofrighteousness.

Yet if he is not completely stubborn and perverse beyond all correction, then if hethinksaboutwhatwehavesaid,hemaystillbedeliveredfrommisleadingothersandfrombeingmisled himself. Since you gaveme the opportunity, I havemet himwithout anyhostility,rememberingwhattheApostlesaidaboutpeoplelikehim:“Havenothingtodowith stupid, senseless controversies;youknow that theybreedquarrels.And theLord’sservant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, forbearing,correctinghisopponentswithgentleness.Godmayperhapsgrantthattheywillrepentandcome to know the truth, and theymay escape from the snare of the devil, after beingcapturedbyhimtodohiswill”(2Tim.2:23-26).SoifIhavesaidanythinghardtohim,let himknow that it doesnot come from thebitternessof argument, but from love thatintenselydesireshimtocomebacktotherightpath.



HowwouldSt.Augustine’sadvicehelpmedealwithnon-Catholicsinmyeverydaylife?Howwould Ihelp themescape the falseangelswithoutgettingmired ina“stupidsenselesscontroversy”?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Havepity,OLordGod,lesttheywhopassbytrampleontheunfledgedbird;andsendyourangeltorestoreittoitsnest,thatitmayliveuntilitcanfly.

Judgethemessage,notthemessenger

St.ClementofAlexandriatellsusthateventhedevilcanspeakthetruthwhenitsuitshis purposes. It’s a hard thing to learn, but we have to judge the message by itscontent,notbythemessenger.

It’struethatthemainpurposeofthepruninghookispruning.Butwealsouseittoseparatetwigsthathavegottangled,andtocutthethornsthathavegrownalongwiththevineswhenthey’renotveryeasytoreach.Allthesethingshavetodowithpruning.

In the sameway,we aremade principally for the knowledge ofGod.Butwe alsomeasure land,practiceagriculture, andphilosophize.The firstpromotes life, the secondlivingwell,andthethirdthestudyofthingsthatcanbedemonstrated.

Now,letthosewhosaythatphilosophywasinventedbythedevilknowthis,thattheScripture says thedevil is transformed intoanangelof light (2Cor.11:14).What ishedoingwhenhe’stransformedintoanangeloflight?Plainlyhe’sabouttoprophesy.Butifhe prophesies as an angel of light, hewill speakwhat is true. If he prophesieswhat isangelical,what belongs to the light, then he prophesieswhat does us goodwhen he istransformedintoanangeloflight—eventhoughheisnotreallyanangeloflight,butanapostate. How could he deceive anyone, unless he drew the lover of knowledge intofellowship with him, and then drew him into falsehood afterwards?We’ll find that heknowsthetruth—hemaynotunderstandit,butheisnotignorantofit.

So philosophy is not false, even if it is a thief and a liarwho speaks the truth bychangingthewayheworks.Andweshouldnotcondemnwhatissaidonaccountofwhosaysit(thoughwehavetokeepthatinmindinthecaseofthosewhoclaimtobeprophetsnow).Wehavetolookatwhatissaidtoseewhetheritstickstothetruth.

–St.ClementofAlexandria,Stromata,6.8


HoweasilydoIacceptthetruthfromsomeoneIdon’tlike?HowdoIknowhowtorecognizethetruthevenwhenitcomesfromthemouthofademon?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Remember,Lord,allwhorightlyinterprettheWordofyourtruth.Sendyourangelstoprotectthemfromthedeceitoftheevilone.

Keepthecreedallyourlife

St.CyrilofJerusalemadviseshisstudentstomemorizethecreedwordforword,andtokeepitfreshintheirmemoriesalltheirlives.Ifyouknowyourcreed,hesays,youknoweverythingimportantabouttheChristianfaith.

Butasalearner,andinyourprofessionoffaith,takeandholdonlythatfaithwhichtheChurchdeliverstoyou,andwhichisestablishedfromallScripture.

Not everyone can read Scripture: some are uneducated, and others are too busy.Thereforeweencompassall thewholedoctrineof thefaith inafewarticles,so that thesoulmaynotperishforlackofinstruction.Iwantyoutorememberthesearticleswordforword, and repeat it diligently amongyourselves.Donotwrite it onpaper, butget it bymemoryandengraveitonyourheartasifitwereonamonument.

Iwantyoutokeepthiscreedallthroughyourlifeasaprovisionforyourjourney,andneverreceiveanyothercreedbesidesthis—evenifImyselfshouldchangeandcontradictwhatIamteachingyounow,orevenifsomeopposingangel,transformedintoanangeloflight, should try to lead you astray. “But even ifwe, or an angel fromHeaven, shouldpreach toyouagospelcontrary to thatwhichwepreached toyou, lethimbeaccursed”(Gal.1:8).



Who are the “angels of light”whomight try to persuademe to accept a differentcreed?HowcanIrecognizethem?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,keepthetruthofthecreedinmymind,andhelpmedistinguishfalsespiritswhowouldleadmeawayfromtheTrueFaith.

Letfalsehopeperish

ContinuinghismeditationonJob’scursingthedayhewasbornandthenighthewasconceived,St.GregorytheGreatseesthecurseasarenunciationofeverythingSatanofferstous.

This holyman ( Job)mourned, in his own sorrows, the condition of thewholehuman race. He saw nothing that was in any way particular to himself in his ownparticularsuffering.It’sveryappropriateforhimtobringbacktomindtheoriginalcauseofsin,andtosoftenthepaininflictedonhimbythinkingaboutitsjustice.

Hecanlookathumankind,andseewherewefellfrom,andwherewehavefallento,andexclaim,“LetthedayperishwhereinIwasborn,andthenightwhichsaid,‘Aman-childisconceived’”(Job3:3).

It’s as if hewere saying, in somanywords, “Let the hope perish that the apostateangel held out to me—who, when he disguised himself as day, was shining with thepromiseofadivinenature,butthenshowedhimselfasnightandbroughtacloudoverthelightofourimmortality.Letouroldenemyperish,whoshowedusthelightofpromises,butgaveusthedarknessofsin—whopresentedhimselfasdaybyhiswheedling,butledusintoanightofutterdarknessbyclosingourheartswithblindness.”



DoIrenounceSatanandallhisworkseveryday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, I renounce Satan and all his evil works, all his empty promises, and all hisworldlymagnificence.

AgainstPrincipalitiesandPowers

Aslongaswe’resinners,saysSt.Augustine,we’reslavestothedevilandhisangels.Ourlifeonearthisastruggleagainsttheirdominion.

TheLordsenthislambsintothemidstofwolves—thatis,righteousmenintothemidstof sinners, topreach thegospel received in the timeofman from the inestimabledivineWisdom,sothathemightcallusfromsintorighteousness.

ButwhattheApostlesays,thatourstruggleisnotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstPrincipalities and Powers (Eph. 6:12), and the other things that have been quoted, thismeans that the devil and his angels, like us, have fallen and lapsed by sin, and havesecuredpossessionofearthlythings—thatis,sinfulhumanbeings,who,aslongaswearesinners, areunder theiryoke; just aswhenweshallbe righteous,weshallbeunder theyokeofrighteousness.Andwecontendagainstthem,sothatpassingovertorighteousnesswemaybefreedfromtheirdominion.

–St.Augustine,DisputationAgainstFortunatus,23


DoIstruggleagainsttheevilPrincipalitiesandPowersasmuchasIshould?OrdoIoftenenduplettingthemhavetheirway?

CLOSINGPRAYER

CompassionateandmercifulGod,donotwithholdyouraidfrommeinmystrugglewiththedevil.

Angelsdon’tstandbetweenusandChrist

Likemany Christian interpreters, St. Augustine sees Psalm 24 as a description ofChrist’s triumphal ascent intoHeaven. Angels are powerful beings and have theirrole inmanaging theworld, he says, butwe don’tworship them.Only theLord isKingofGlory.

“WhoisthisKingofglory?”(Ps.24:10).

What, you too, “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2)—you marvel and ask,“WhoisthisKingofglory?”

“TheLordofhosts,heistheKingofglory.”

Yes,hisbodyisnowmadealiveagain.Hewhowastemptedmarchesaboveyou;hewhowastemptedbytheangel,thedeceiver,goesaboveallangels.

Sononeofyouhadbetterputhimself infrontofusandstandinourway, tryingtomake us worship him as a god. Neither Principalities, nor Angels, nor Powers, willseparateusfromtheloveofChrist(Rom.8:38-39).

It isgoodto trust in theLord,rather thanto trust inaprince.“Lethimwhoboasts,boastoftheLord”(1Cor.1:31).Angelscertainlyarepowersintheadministrationofthisworld,buttheLordofhosts,heistheKingofglory.



DoIrecognizethatwhenIprevailovertemptation,Iinheritgreaterglory?DoIasktheangelstoministertomeastheyministeredtoChristinthedesertoftemptation?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelofGod,cometomewhenIamtempted.Givemelight,wisdom,hope,strength,andjoytosustainmeinmyeverystruggle.

Lord,whoislikeyou?

Don’tlistentoanyonewhotellsyoutoworshipidols,ornature,orevenangels,saysSt. Augustine.God alonemade all these things and they are nothingwithout him.Insteadofworshipingangels,weshouldworshipGodasCreatoroftheangels.

“Allmybonesshallsay,OLord,whoislikeyou?”(Ps.35:10).

Whocansayanythingworthyofthesewords?Ithinktheycanonlybepronounced,notexplained.

Whydoyouseekthisorthat?WhatislikeyourLord?Youhavehimrightinfrontofyou.Theunrighteoushaveshownmedelights,butnothinglikeyourlaw,OLord!

Therehavebeenpersecutorswhohavesaid,“WorshipSaturn”or“WorshipMercury.”Idonotworshipidols,hesays:“Lord,whoislikeyou?”Theyhaveeyes,butdonotsee.Theyhaveears,butdonothear.Lord,whoislikeyou,whomadetheeyetosee,theeartohear?

ButIdonotworshipidols,hesays,becauseaworkmanmadethem.“Worshipatreeormountain; did aworkmanmake them, too?”Here too,Lord,who is like you?Theyshowmeearthlythings,butyouareCreatoroftheearth.

Thentheymightturnfromthesetothehighercreation,andsaytome,“Worshipthemoon,worshipthesun,whowithhislight,asagreatlampintheheavens,makestheday.”HerealsoIplainlysay,“Lord,whoislikeyou?”Youmadethemoonandthestars;yousetthesunalighttoruletheday;youputtheheavenstogether.

Buttherearemanybetterthingsthatareinvisible.Perhapssomeonewillsaytome,“Worshipangels,adoreangels.”AndherealsowillIsay,“Lord,whoislikeyou?”Eventheangelsyouhavecreated.Theangelsarenothingexceptbyseeingyou.It isbetter topossessyouwiththem,thantofallfromyoubyworshipingthem.



Do I make time in my prayer to praise the Lord for the wonder of creation—beginningwiththeangels?DoIrecognizethatpraiseisthepurestformofprayerandthesurestprotectionagainstidolatry?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Letmebeyours,OLordofalltheangels,forIworshipnootherGodthanyou,andnamenoothernamethanyours.

Givingthedevilhisdue

Eachofus,saysRufinusofAquileia,willgettherewardwehaveearnedinthefinaljudgment. And that goes for the devil, too, who—along with all his angels—hasearnedtheeternalfire.

Inaddition, Ibelieve ina judgment tocome, inwhicheveryonewill receive therewardheearnedinhisbodilylife,accordingtowhathehasdone,whethergoodorevil.

Andiftherewardforushumansistobeaccordingtoourworks,imaginehowmuchmore thiswillbe true in thecaseof thedevil,who is theuniversalcauseof sin.Of thedevilhimselfourbeliefiswhatiswrittenintheGospel:thatbothheandallhisangelswillreceive as their portion the eternal fire, andwith him thosewhodo hisworks—that is,whobecometheaccusersoftheirbrethren.

Soifanyonedeniesthatthedevilistobesubjectedtotheeternalfires,mayhehavehispartwithhimintheeternalfire,so thathemayknowbyexperiencethefact thathenowdenies.

–RufinusofAquileia,Apology,5


DoIacceptwhatGodhasrevealed,andwhattheChurchteachesaboutthedevilandaboutHell?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, protect me from evil, saveme from the fires of Hell.Maymy life be judgedworthyofHeavenwhereIwishtospendeternitywithyourangelsandsaints.

LearntorecognizeSatanindisguise

Satancantransformhimselfintoanangeloflight,saysSt.Augustine.Ifhedoes,weneedtorelyonthehelpofGodtokeepusontherightpath,andtoteachustoseethroughSatan’sdisguise.

It’sveryimportanttobeabletoseeandknowwhenSatanhastransformedhimselfintoanangeloflight;otherwise,bydeceivingusthatway,hecouldseduceusintodoingrealdamage.

There’s no danger to our religion when he only deceives our bodily senses, anddoesn’t turnourminds from the true and correct judgment that guidesour life of faith.Evenifhepretendstobegoodanddoesorsaysthingsthatagoodangelwouldsay,andhefoolsusthatway,themistakeisn’tdangerous;itcan’tkillourChristianfaith.

Butwhenhestarts to leadus intohisownwayswith this strange trickery, thenwereallyhave tobeon thealert to recognizehimandnot followhim.Howfewofuscanavoidhisdeadlyschemes,unlessGodguidesandsavesus!

But the fact that it’ssodifficult to recognizeSatan’s tricks isactuallyuseful inoneway: it reminds us that no one can put his hope in himself, or in any other person.EveryonewhobelongstoGodshouldthrowhishopeinwithGod.Certainlynoreligiouspersonwoulddenythatthisisthebestwayforus.



WhattoolshasGodgivenustodistinguishthedeceptionsofSatan?HowdoImakeuseofthem?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,humbletheenemiesofyourChurch,andputSatanbehindus.

Angelsdon’twantourworship

Some human beings are called “gods” even in the Bible, says St. Augustine—althoughofcourseonlymetaphorically.ButScripturenevercallsangelsgodsevenmetaphorically, so that we will understand that angels desire that we should notworshipthem,buttheGodwhomtheyandweserve.

Sothatnoonemaythinkthatthereisnolivingandintelligentnaturethatdelightsinthepagansacrifices,theApostleadds,“whatpaganssacrificetheyoffertodemonsandnottoGod.Idonotwantyoutobepartnerswithdemons”(1Cor.10:20).

Soifweneverfindinthedivinewordsthattheholyangelsarecalled“gods,”IthinkthebestreasonissothathumansmaynotbepersuadedbythenametoofferthatministryandserviceofreligiontotheholyangelsthattheangelswouldnotwishhumanstopayatalltoanyonebutGod,whoisGodofbothangelsandhumanbeings.

Thus they are much more correctly called angels, which in our language ismessengers, so that, by the nameof their function, not their substance,wemay clearlyunderstandthattheywantustoworshiptheGodwhomtheyannounce.



Are there somestrongdesiresor interests inmy life thatwould tend tomakemeapartnerwithdemons?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Remember me when I am backsliding, Lord, and send in your divine mercy, yourangelstohelpme.

AngelswantustoworshipGod,notthem

TheNameofGodiswonderfulandpowerful,saysSt.JohnChrysostom.It’stheonlynameaChristiancan invoke. It’s fine toask theangels forhelp,but ifwepray tothemasif theyweregods, they’ll throwourprayersaway,becauseall theywant isthehonorofGod.

ThereisnothingequaltothisName.Everywhereitiswonderful.“Yournameisoilpoured out,” it says (Song 1:3).Whoever speaks it is filledwith perfume immediately.“Noone,”itissaid,“cansay‘JesusisLord’exceptbytheHolySpirit”(1Cor.12:3).Thatishowgreatthisnameis.

Ifyousay,“InthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost,”you’vesaid everything.Lookwhat great things you’vedone!You’vecreatedaman, and doneeverythingelsethatgoeswithbaptism!

The Name is just as formidable in commanding diseases. That’s why the devilintroduced the custom of using the names of angels, because he envied us the honor.Incantationswithangels’namesareforthedemons!Evenifit’sthenameofanangel,oranarchangel,oroneoftheCherubim,donotallowit.Thosepowerswillnotacceptitifyoucallonthemthatway.TheywillthrowawayyourprayerswhentheyseetheirMasterdishonored.

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily9onColossians


HowdoIhonortheNameofGod?DoI treatGod’snameassomethingholyeveryday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,youarefaraboveeveryPrincipality,andPower,andMight,andDominion,andeverynamethatisnamed,notonlyinthisworld,butintheworldthatistocome.

WorshipGod,notangels

St.Augustineexplainswhywedon’tworshipangels.JustasPaulandBarnabas refused to be worshiped when pagan Greeks tried to pay them divinehonors,sothegoodangelshaveonlyonedesire:toleadustoGod.TheonlyangelswhodesiredworshipweretheoneswhowerecastoutofHeaven.

Seewhatholymendo—menwhoareliketheangels.IfyoufindsomeholymanwhoservesGodandtry toworshiphiminsteadofGod,hewon’t letyou.Herefuses totakethehonorduetoGodforhimself.Hedoesn’twanttobelikeGodtoyou,buttobeunderGodwithyou.ThisiswhattheholyApostlesPaulandBarnabasdid.

Thesegoodmenrefusedtobeworshipedbypeoplewhowantedtotreatthemasgods.They insisted thatonlyGodcouldbeworshiped.OnlyGodcouldbeadored.OnlyGodcouldbeofferedsacrifices.

Inthesameway,theholyangelsseekonlythegloryoftheGodtheylove.Theytrytolead andprompt everyone they love to contemplateGod.Because they aremessengers,theybringGod’smessage,not theirown.Andbecause theyaresoldiers, theyseekonlythegloryof theirCaptain. If theyseek theirownglory, they’recondemnedasusurpers.That’swhathappenedtothedevilandhisangels:heclaimeddivinehonorforhimselfandall his demons. He filled pagan temples and persuaded people to make him idols andsacrificetohim.



AmIallowingtheangelswhosurroundmetoleadmetoGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,teachmetotrustthatyourholyangelsdesireonlytoleadmetoyou,andletmedesiretofollowwheretheylead.

Don’tbesurprisedbydemons’tricks

Theevilangelscanputonagoodshow, saysSt.Augustine.But thatdoesn’tmeanthey’rebetterthanweare.WeshouldrememberthatwewhoareonthesideofGodaccomplishfargreatermiracleseveryday.

Itiseasyforthemostworthlessspiritstodothingswiththeiretherealbodiesthatastonish souls weighed down by earthly bodies—even the souls of the better inclined.Earthlybodies themselves,once theyare trained inskillandpractice,canshowussuchgreatmarvelsintheatershowsthatthosewhoneversawsuchthingshardlybelievethemwhentheyaretoldaboutthem.Thenwhyshoulditbehardforthedevilandhisangels,with their ethereal bodies, to make from corporeal elements things at which the fleshmarvels?Why should it behard for them,byhidden inspirations, todeludeour senses,awakeorasleep,ortodriveusintoafrenzy?

Thoughyoumaybebetterthanastageperformerinlifeandcharacter,youmaygazeatthemostworthlessperformerwalkingonarope,ordoingthingswiththemotionsofhisbody that arehard tobelieve—andyetyouprobablydonotwish todo those things,orthinkthattheperformerisbetterthanyouarebecausehecandothem.Inthesameway,ifyou are a faithful and pious soul, you may see the miracles of the demons, and theweaknessofthefleshmaymakeyoushudderatthem—yetforallthatyouwillnotdeploreyourownlackofpowertodothosethings,orthinkthatthedemonsarebetterthanyouarebecausetheycandothem.No,ifyouareapioussoul,youareinthecompanyoftheholy.Andtheholy,humanorgoodangels,accomplishwondersthroughthepowerofGod,towhomallthingsaresubject,thatarefargreater,andquitethereverseofdeceptive.



DoIallow thedemons todistractmefromholinesswithglittery things likemoneyandstatus?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,keepmethankfulforyourpreciousandheavenlygiftstome,andpreservemefromthetemptationssetbeforemebythedemonicpowers.

Demonscan’treallygiveusprosperity

Pagans complained that neglecting their gods made Rome decline. St. Augustinereplies that, even if it were true, it’s far better to face adversity than to worshipdemons.Butit’snottrue.OnlyGodcanreallymakeusprosperous.

What beings are really propitiated by practicing such abominations inworship?BecauseChristianityhasexposedtheperversityandtrickeryofthosedevils(anditisalsoby theirpower thatmagicdeceivespeople’sminds), andbecause it hasbroughtout thedistinctionbetweentheholyangelsandthesemalignantenemies,andhaswarnedpeopletobeontheirguardagainstthem,andevenshowedhowitcanbedone—becauseofthesethings, Christianity is called an enemy of the State! As if any amount of adversitywouldn’t be better than gaining prosperity by the aid of demons—even if worldlyprosperitycouldbegainedthatway.

Yet it pleased God to keep us from being confused in this matter. In the age ofcomparativedarknessoftheOldTestament,inwhichtheNewTestamentishidden,GoddistinguishedthefirstnationthatworshipedthetrueGodanddespisedfalseGodsbysuchprosperity in thisworld, thatanyonecanseefromtheircase thatprosperity isnotat thedisposalofdevils,butonlyofhimwhomangelsserveanddevilsfear.

–St.Augustine,Letter138,4


WhenIlookformaterialprosperity,doIendupmakingdealswiththedemons?DoIcompromisemyChristianfaith?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian Angel, always remind me that adversity is far better than the help ofdemons.Guardmefromtemptation,andleadmetotrustinGodformytrueprosperity.

Letthemlaugh

Evendevils can sometimesperformapparentmiracles, saysSt.Augustine,and ifarumor started that one of their own “philosophers” had done the miracles in theScriptures, you would hear the same people who laugh at the Bible shouting intriumph.

Iftheseobjectorsrefusetobelieveanynarrativeofadivinemiracle,theymustberefutedbyanotherlineofargument.Inthatcase,theymustnotsingleoutoneparticularmiracle to be objected to, and called in question as incredible, but to denounce asincredibleallnarrativesinwhichmiraclesofthesamekind,ormoreremarkableones,arerecorded.

Andyet,supposewhat iswrittenconcerningJonahweresaid tohavebeendonebyApuleiusofMadauraorApolloniusofTyana—who, theyboast, thoughunsupportedbyreliable testimony, performedmanywonders. And even the devils do someworks likethosedoneby theholyangels—not in truth,but inappearance,andnotbywisdom,butobviously by subtlety.What if some such eventwere narrated in connectionwith thesementowhomtheygivetheflatteringnameofmagiciansorphilosophers?Thenweshouldhearfromtheirmouthssoundsnotofderision,butoftriumph.

Well, fine—let them laugh at our Scriptures; let them laugh asmuch as they can,whentheyseethemselvesdailybecomingfewerinnumber,whilesomeareremovedbydeath, and others by their embracing the Christian faith, andwhen all those things arebeingfulfilledwhichwerepredictedbytheprophetswholongagolaughedatthem,andsaid that theywould fightandbarkagainst the truth invain,andwouldgraduallycomeovertoourside;andwhonotonlytransmittedthesestatements tous, theirdescendants,forourlearning,butpromisedthattheyshouldbefulfilledinourexperience.



HowdoIreactwhensomeonederidesScripture?AmItemptedtoexplainawaytheangels and miracles in the Bible, as if they were embarrassments? Or do I have thepatiencetoreactcalmly,reasonably,andtolerantly,thewaySt.Augustinedoes?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel, keep the truthofGod’swordalwaysbeforemy eyes, andgivemeyourassistanceinspreadingthetruthtoothersaroundme.

Worshipingidolsisworshipingdemons

St.AugustinesaysthattheonlyreasondemonsseducedusintoworshipingthemwasbecausetheyknewthatworshipbelongstoGodalone.

The false gods, that is to say, the demons,which are lying angels,would neverhave required a temple, priesthood, sacrifice, and the other things connectedwith thesefromtheirworshipers,whomtheydeceive,hadtheynotknownthatthesethingswereduetotheonetrueGod.

When, therefore, these thingsarepresented toGodaccording tohis inspirationandteaching,it is truereligion;butwhentheyaregiventodemonsincompliancewiththeirimpious pride, it is baneful superstition. Accordingly, those who know the ChristianScriptures of both the Old and the New Testaments do not blame the profane rites ofpagans on the mere ground of their building temples, appointing priests, and offeringsacrifices,butonthegroundoftheirdoingallthisforidolsanddemons.

Astoidols,indeed,whodoubtsthattheyarecompletelydevoidofperception?Andyet,when theyareplaced in these templesandsetonhighon thronesofhonor, so thattheymay bewaited upon by suppliants andworshipers praying and offering sacrifices,theneventheseidols,thoughdevoidbothoffeelingandoflife,soaffectweakminds,justbecausetheyappeartohavethemembersandsensesofalivingbeing,thattheyappeartolive and breathe, especially under the added influence of the profound venerationwithwhichthemultitudefreelyrenderssuchcostlyservice.



Whatare thedemonsIworship—the things that takemeawayfromtheworshipoftheonetrueGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyGuardianAngel,keepmefromtheworshipofdemons,andleadmetodesire,asyoudo,onlythetrueblissofthedivinevision.

Angelswantustobeimmortalandhappy

Theangelswantus tobeashappyas theyare,saysSt.Augustine.That’swhy theyrefusetoletusworshipthem,butdirectallourworshiptoGod,thesourceoftheirownhappiness.

Theangelslookonusmiserablemortalscompassionatelyandtenderly,andwishus to become immortal and happy—these blessed and immortal spirits, who inhabitcelestialdwellings,andrejoiceinthecommunicationsoftheirCreator’sfullness,firminhis eternity, assured in his truth, holy by his grace. So it is very right that they do notdesireustosacrificetothemselves.Fortheyknowthattheythemselvesare,alongwithus,hissacrifice.

Forweand they together are theone cityofGod, towhich it is said in thepsalm,“Glorious thingsarespokenofyou,OcityofGod”(Ps.87:3)—thehumanpartvisitinghere below, the angelic helping us from above.And it was from that heavenly city, inwhichGod’swill is the intelligibleandunchangeable law—from thatheavenlycouncil-chamber(fortheysitincounselwatchingus)—thatthisHolyScripturecamedowntousbytheministryofangels,inwhichitiswritten,“Whoeversacrificestoanygod,savetotheLordonly,shallbeutterlydestroyed”(Ex.22:20).

ThisScripture,thislaw,theseprecepts,havebeenconfirmedbysuchmiracles,thatitis clear enough to whom these immortal and blessed spirits, who desire us to be likethemselves,wishustosacrifice.



TheangelsputalltheireffortintodirectingourpraisestowardGod.DoIdothesameforotherpeople,oramIhappytoabsorbagoodbitofthepraiseformyself?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyGuardianAngel,youloveuswithanunwaveringlove.Teachmeto lookuponotherswiththesameconstancyincharity.

Satantakesonallshapes

InSt.Augustine’stime,therewerestillmanypaganswhotriedtofindenlightenmentinstrange,sometimesevenhallucinogenic,rituals.Ifyouseeangelswhenyou’reoutofyourmind,saysSt.Augustine,rememberthatSatancanlooklikeanangel,buthestillwantstohurtyou.

As to thosewhoperform these filthycleansingsbysacrilegious rites, andsee intheirinitiatedstate(asPorphyrytellsusfurtheron,thoughwemayquestionthisvision)certainwonderfullylovelyappearancesofangelsorgods,thisiswhattheApostlereferstowhenhespeaksofSatantransforminghimselfintoanangeloflight(2Cor.11:14).

Forthesearethedelusiveappearancesofthatspiritwholongstoentanglewretchedsouls in thedeceptiveworshipofmanyandfalsegods,and to turn themaside fromthetrueworshipofthetrueGod,bywhomalonetheyarecleansedandhealed,andwho(astheyusedtosayaboutProteus)turnshimselfintoallshapes—allofthemequallyhurtful,whetherheassaultsusasanenemy,ortakesonthedisguiseofafriend.



Do I understand that evil spiritsmakeuse of occult practices tomanipulate humanbeings?DoIavoidthosepractices—fortunetellers,horoscopes,tarotreaders,andsoon—atallcosts?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,delivermefromtheeviloneandhishosts;becauseyours is thekingdom, thepower,thestrength,themight,andthedominioninHeavenandonearth,nowandalways.

Makenosacrificestoangels

ThemoreabeinglovesGod,saysSt.Augustine,thelessthatbeingwantsanyoftheworship due to God alone. That’s why, although angels are incomparably morepowerfulandpurethanweare,weneverworshipthem.

Asforthespiritualpartofcreation, it iseitherpiousorimpious: thepiousbeingpeopleandangelswhoare righteous, andwho serveGod in the rightway; the impiousbeingwickedpeopleandangels,whomwealsocalldevils.

Now, it’s obvious that sacrificemust not be offered to a spiritual creature, even arighteousone,becausethemorepiousandsubmissivetoGodanycreatureis,thelesshepresumestoaspiretothehonorthatheknowsbelongstoGodalone.

Then how much worse it is to sacrifice to devils—that is, to a wicked spiritualcreature—which, living in the comparatively dark heaven nearest the earth, as in theprisonassignedtohimintheair,isdoomedtoeternalpunishment.



Ifanobjectiveobservercouldseeintomymind,wouldheseemeofferingsacrificetodevils,likegreedoranger?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Sanctifymysoul,body,andspirit,Lord,andcastoutthedemonsofworldlydesires.

Onlydevilsreceivesacrifices

Evenifyouthinkyou’reworshipingangels,saysSt.Augustine,theonlybeingsthatreceive your sacrifice are devils. Theangelswho loveGod could never accept thehonorthatbelongsonlytotheirLord.

Somepeoplesaytheyareofferingsacrificestothehighercelestialpowers,whichare not devils, and imagine that the only difference between themselves and us is thename: they call those powers gods, and we call them angels. But the only beings thatreallypresentthemselvestothosepeople,whoaregivenovertobetossedaroundbymanydeceptions,arethedevils,whofinddelightintheerrorsofhumanity—andinasensearenourishedbythoseerrors.

Fortheholyangelsdonotapproveofanysacrificeexceptwhatisoffered,accordingtotheteachingoftruewisdomandtruereligion,totheonetrueGod,whomtheyserveinholyfellowship.

Impiouspresumption—inpeopleorinangels—demandsordesiresthehonorsduetoGodalone for itself.Butpioushumility—inpeopleor inangels—declines thosehonorswhentheyareoffered,anddeclaresthattheyonlybelongtoGod.Andwehavesomeverynotableexamplesofthisconspicuouslysetforthinoursacredbooks.



If I’m flatteredor honored immoderately, do I remember to follow the holy angelsandputthehonorwhereitreallybelongs?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,keeptheloveofGodalwaysbeforemymind,andleadmetopraisethenameoftheLordwithoutboldnessorpride.

Howtoearntheangels’help

Magicalincantationswon’tearnyouthehelpoftheangels,saysSt.Augustine.Whatdoesearnustheirhelpistryingtolivealifeaspureandgoodastheirs.Ifwedothat,wecanliveamongtheangelsonearth,eventhoughoureyescan’tseethem.

Wemustcertainlynottry,throughthesupposedmediationofdemons,tomakeuseofthegoodwillorhelpof thegods,orratherof thegoodangels.Instead,weearntheirhelpbyresemblingthemintheirhavingagoodwill,throughwhichwearewiththem,andlivewiththem,andworshipthesameGodwiththem,althoughwecannotseethemwiththeeyesofourflesh.

Wearenotdistantfromtheminplace,but inmeritof life,causedbyourmiserableunlikenesstotheminwill,andbytheweaknessofourcharacter.Forthemerefactthatweliveonearthundertheconditionsoflifeinthefleshdoesnotpreventourfellowshipwiththem.Itisonlypreventedwhenwe,intheimpurityofourhearts,payattentiontoearthlythings.Butinthispresenttime,whilewearebeinghealedsothatwemayeventuallybelikethem,wearebroughtneartothembyfaith,ifbytheirassistancewebelievethattheGodwhoistheirblessednessisalsoours.



Howwouldmy lifebedifferent if I took the lifeof theangelsasmymodel?WhatwouldIdodifferentlytoday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MyGuardianAngel,neverleavemeunprotectedandpreservemefromthemisfortuneofoffendingGod.

AreChristiansatheists?

One of the most common charges against the first Christians was that they wereatheists!Well,saysSt.JustinMartyr,weareatheists—ifyoumeanthatwerefusetoworship the demons who masquerade as gods in the pagan mythology. But weworshiptheonlytrueGod.

Sinceancient timesevildemons,makingapparitionsof themselves,bothdefiledwomenandcorruptedboys,andshowedsuchfearfulsightstomen,thatthosewhodidnotusetheirreasoninjudgingoftheactionsthatweredonewerestruckwithterror.Carriedawaybyfear,andnotknowingthattheseweredemons,theycalledthemgods,andgavetoeachthenamewhicheachofthedemonschoseforhimself.

WhenSocratestriedtobringthesethingstolightbytruereasonandexamination,andtodeliverhumanityfromthedemons,thenthedemonsthemselves,bymeansofmenwhorejoicedininiquity,plottedhisdeathasanatheistandasacrilegiousperson,onthechargethathewasintroducingnewgods.

Theydo thesame thing inourcase.Fornotonlyamong theGreeksdid theLogos,reason,prevailtocondemnthesethingsthroughSocrates,butalsoamongthebarbarianstheywerecondemnedbytheLogoshimself,whotookshape,andbecameman,andwascalledJesusChrist.Inobediencetohim,wenotonlydenythattheywhodidsuchthingsasthesearegods,butassertthattheyarewickedandimpiousdemons,whoseactionswillnotbearcomparisonwiththoseevenofmendesirousofvirtue.

Thisiswhywearecalledatheists.Andweconfessthatweareatheists,asfarasgodsof this sort are concerned.But notwith respect to themost trueGod.Weworship andadorehim,andtheSonwhocameforthfromhimandtaughtusthesethings—heandthehostoftheothergoodangelswhofollowandaremadelikehim—andthepropheticSpirit.We know them in reason and truth, and declare what we have been taught withoutgrudgingtoeveryonewhowishestolearn.

–St.JustinMaryr,FirstApology,5-6


Have I really renounced all the demonsmasquerading as gods?Or are there somefalsegodsoftodaywhocanclaimmyallegiance?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,teachmetodistinguishthefalsespiritsfromthetrue,andalwaystorenouncewhateverisnotformyeternalgood.

SatandoesnotcontroltheEarth

SatantoldChristthathecontrolledallthekingdomsoftheEarth.Buthelied,saysSt.Irenaeus.Godcontrolsallthegovernmentsoftheworld,notSatan.

Since the authorities that exist “have been instituted by God” (Rom. 13:1), thedevilobviouslyliedwhenhesaid,“Thesehavebeendeliveredtome,andIgivethemtowhomIwill”(Luke4:6).

KingsareappointedbythelawofthesameBeingwhocallsusallintoexistence,andthosekingsareadaptedforthepeoplewhoareplacedundertheirgovernmentatthattime.Someof themaregiven for the correction and thebenefit of their subjects, and for thepreservationof justice; but others, for thepurposesof fear andpunishment and rebuke.Stillothers,ifwedeserveit,arefordeception,disgrace,andpride.ThejustjudgmentofGod,asIhaveobservedalready,passesequallyuponall.

Thedevil,however,sinceheistheapostateangel,canonlygoasfarashedidatthebeginning: he can deceive and lead astray the human mind into disobeying thecommandmentsofGod,andgraduallydarkentheheartsofthosewhowouldtrytoservehim,untiltheyforgetthetrueGod,andadorethedevilasGod.



AmIobedienttothelawfulgovernments,atleastasfarasIcanbeandstayconsistentwith moral law? Do I remember to pray for the help of the angels who guard thegovernmentsthathavepoweroverme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord JesusChrist, strengthen the angelswho guard all nations, and grant that theChurchmayalwayshavepeacewiththeirgovernments.

Actlikeademon,becomeademon

People were often superstitious in St. John Chrysostom’s day, and many of theuneducatedwereafraidofghosts.St.Johnsaysthatit’snotdyingaviolentdeaththatmakesyouanevilspirit:it’sactinglikeanevilspirit.

Here,beforeIgoon,Iwanttoremoveawrongimpressionfromyourminds.Foritis a fact thatmanyof the less instructed think that the soulsof thosewhodieaviolentdeathbecomewanderingspirits.Butthisisnotso.Irepeat:itisnotso.

Itisn’tthesoulsofthosewhodieaviolentdeaththatbecomedemons,butratherthesoulsofthosewholiveinsin;notthattheirnatureischanged,butthatintheirdesirestheyimitatetheevilnatureofdemons.ShowingthisverythingtotheJews,Christsaid,“Youareofyourfatherthedevil”(John8:44).Hesaidthattheywerethechildrenofthedevil,notbecause theywerechanged intoanature likehis,butbecause theydid thekindsofthingshedid.Forthesamereasonheadds,“andyourwillistodoyourfather’sdesires.”AlsoJohnsays:“Youbroodofvipers!Whowarnedyoutofleefromthewrathtocome?Bear fruit that befits repentance, and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We haveAbrahamasourfather’”(Matt.3:7-9).

TheScripture,therefore,usuallybasesthelawsofrelationship,notonnaturalorigin,butongoodorevildisposition;andifanyoneactslikeordoesthesamethingsasacertaingroup,theScripturedeclareshimtobetheir“son”ortheir“brother.”

–JohnChrysostom,FourDiscourses,ChieflyontheParableoftheRichManandLazarus,Discourse2,chapter1


Angelordemon:whichonedoIresemblemosttoday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,sendyourSpirittofreemefromeveryinfluenceofthedevil.

Pridemakesyouthinkyou’reanangel

It’seasytogetallpuffedupwitheventhehumblesthonor,saysSulpitiusSeverus.IftheChurchputsyouinapositionofresponsibility,youmaythinkyou’resomesortofangel.Butyou’renot.You’rejustmakingafoolofyourself.

ButwhenI thinkabout these things, itoccurs tomehowunhappyandweakweare.Who is there among us who isn’t elatedwith pride right away, or puffed upwithvanity,ifonemiserablefellowhasgreetedushumbly,oronewomanhasgivenusfoolishand flatteringcompliments?Thenwhathappens?Even ifyoudon’thaveanyconsciousfeelingofsanctity,theflattery—orperhapssomefool’smistake—makesyouthinkyou’reveryholyindeed!Andthen,ifyougetfrequentgifts,you’llstarttothinktheycometoyoubecauseofGod’sowngenerosity,sinceeverythingyouneed isgiven toyouevenwhileyousleep.

But then, if somesignsofanypowerhappen to fallonyou,nomatterhow little—well,youthinkyou’renolessthananangel!

Andevenifyouaren’tdistinguishedfromanyoneelse,eitherbywhatyoudoorwhatyou’re capable of, what happens if you’re just made a cleric? Instantly you put longfringesonyourrobe,andyou’redelightedbythewayeveryonegreetsyou.You’repuffedup when people visit, and you go wandering around everywhere. Even if you used totravelonfoot,oratmostrodeadonkey—nowyou’reproudlyridingonfoamingsteeds.Youusedtobehappyinyourhumblecell,butnowyoubuildaloftyfrettedceiling.Youputuplotsofrooms,andyouinstallcarveddoorsandpaintedwardrobes.Youwon’twearcheapclothesanymore,butyouhavetohavesoftgarments.Youorderthedearwidowstoweave an embroidered cloak for you, and the friendly virgins to weave you a flowingrobe.

ButI’llleaveittoJerometodescribethesethingsmoresarcastically.

–SulpitiusSeverus,Dialogue1,21


What inmylifegivesmethemostpride?Is thatpride leadingmeawayfromwhatGodreallywantsforme?DoIhavethehumilitytoseehowfarIamfromtheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,youknowmyweakness.Through theministryofyourholyangels,delivermefromtheeviloneandhispride.

Strengthinweakness

The devil has the perfection of an angel, says St. Augustine, and that makes himproud.OurweaknessandmortalityshouldhelpusovercomeprideandconfessthatwecandonothingwithoutGod.

Manoffendedby a kindof strength, so it had to be correctedbyweakness.Weoffendedbyacertainpride,soithadtobechastenedbyhumility.

Allproudpeoplecallthemselvesstrong.But“manywillcomefromeastandwestandsitattablewithAbraham,Isaac,andJacobinthekingdomofHeaven”(Matt.8:11).Whywill theybeallowedtositat that table?Becausetheywouldnotbestrong.Whatdowemeanby“wouldnotbestrong”?Theywereafraidtoassumetheirownmerits.Theydidnot seek to establish their own righteousness, and they did submit themselves to therighteousnessofGod.

Look:you’remortal;andyoucarrywithyouabodyoffleshthatisrottingaway.Andyouwill fall likeoneof theprinces.Youwill die likemen, andwill fall like thedevil.Whatgooddoestheremedialdisciplineofmortalitydoyou?Thedevilisproud,becausehedoesnothaveamortalbody,sinceheisanangel.Butyouhavereceivedamortalbody—buteventhisdoesyounogood:suchagreatweaknessdoesnothumbleyou.Youwillfalllikeoneoftheprinces.

So this is the firstgraceofGod’sgift, tobringus toconfessourweakness, so thatwhatevergoodwecando,whatever abilitywehave,wemaybe that inGod. “Let himwhoboasts,boastoftheLord”(1Cor.1:31).“WhenIamweak,”theapostlesays,“thenamIstrong”(2Cor.12:10).



Havetherebeenproblemsinmylife lately thatI justcan’tovercomewithouthelp?DoIhavethewisdomtoseekthehelpoftheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,donotwithholdyourheavenlyaidfromme,forIamunabletoovercomewhatisopposedtome.Sendyourangelstosaveme,Lord,fromeverythingthatisagainstme.

SinnersareSatan’sgraves

When our sins let Satan into our hearts, says St. Gregory the Great, our heartsbecomesomanygravesforthedoomedspirit,whoisboundforeternaldeath—andreadytotakeuswithhim.

There isagreatdifferencebetween thenaturesofhumanbeingsandangels.Butthosewho are bound together by one and the same guilt in sin are caught in the samepunishment.

Theprophetconveysthisinafewshortwordswhenhesays,“Assyriaisthere,andallhercompany,theirgravesroundabouther”(Ezek.32:22).Now,whomdoeshemeanby“Assyria,”thatproudking,excepttheoldenemywhofellbypride?Becausehedrawssomanyintosin,hedescendswithallhismultitudeintothedungeonsofhell.Gravesareashelterforthedead—andwhosufferedamorebitterdeaththanhewho,settinghisCreatorat naught, gave up life?Andwhen human hearts let him remain in this state of death,surely they become his graves. So his graves are “round about” him, because all thepeopleinwhosesoulsheburieshimselfbytheiraffectionswillbejoinedtohimhereafterbytorments.



IsmyheartlettingSatanintoburyhimself?Whatsecretsinsareopeningthedoortohim?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Grant me your power, Lord, to avoid the attacks of the evil one, and give me anacceptabledefensebeforethejudgmentseat.

Angelssuggest,butwechoose

Quoting two very earlyChristianwriters,Origen tells us that an evil angelmightsuggestanevilthought,andagoodangelagoodthought.Butineithercasewehavefreewill:wecanchoosetodoevilorgood.

Thatcertainthoughtsaresuggestedtoourheartseitherbygoodorevilangels,isshown both by the angel that accompanied Tobias (in the book of Tobit), and by thelanguageoftheprophet,wherehesays,“Theangelwhotalkedwithmesaid”(Zech.1:9).

ThebookoftheShepherddeclaresthesame,sayingthateachindividual isattendedbytwoangels;thatwhenevergoodthoughtsariseinourhearts,theyaresuggestedbythegoodangel;butwhentheotherkindarise,theyareinstigatedbytheevilangel.

ThesameisdeclaredbyBarnabas inhisepistle,wherehesays thereare twoways,oneoflightandoneofdarkness,overwhichheassertsthatcertainangelsareplaced—theangelsofGodoverthewayoflight,theangelsofSatanoverthewayofdarkness.

Butweshouldnot thinkthatanyotherresultfollowsfromwhat issuggestedtoourheart, whether good or bad, except a stirring and an incitement instigating us either togoodorevil.Foritisquitewithinourreach,whenanevilpowerhasbeguntoinciteustoevil,tocastthewickedsuggestionsawayfromus,andtoresistthevileinducements,andtodonothingthatisatalldeservingofblame.And,ontheotherhand,itispossible,whenadivinepowercallsustobetterthings,nottoobeythecall.Ineithercase,ourownfreewillremains.



DoIknowthat“thedevilmademedoit”isanunacceptableexcuse?DoIlistenforthevoiceofthegoodangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

My Guardian Angel, whenever I stray, stir up a desire of repentance in me, andintercedewithGodformypardon.

Don’tblamethedevilforyoursin

It’struethatthedeviltemptsustosin,saysSt.CyrilofJerusalem.Butthesinitselfisentirelyourowndoing.Wehavethepowertogiveinortoresist.

Butyoumaysay,“Whatcansinbe?Isitalivingthing?Anangel?Anevilspirit?Whatisthisworkinginsideus?”

Itisnotanenemyfromoutsidefightingwithyou,butashootofevilgrowingfrominside you. “Let your eyes look directly forward” (Prov. 4:25), and lust does not exist.Keepwhatisyours,anddonottakewhatissomeoneelse’s,andthereisanendtotheft.Rememberthejudgment,andneitherfornication,noradultery,normurder,noranyotherunrighteousnesswillprevailinyou.ButassoonasyouforgetGod,youstarttothinkupwickednessanddoevil.

Butnatureisnottheonlycauseofthisevil.Thereisanotherwhomiserablyurgesusontoit—thedevil.Heurgeseveryone,butheprevailsonlyoverthosewholistentohim.Ifyouindulgentlyallowyourselftothinkoflust,throughyourimagination,itwillstrikeitsrootsintoyou,andcaptivateyourmind,anddragyoudownintothepitofevils.Anddon’tsay,“I’mabeliever,soitwon’tgaincontroloverme,evenifmyminddwellsontheobjectsoflust.”Don’tyouknowthatevenarockissplitafterawhilebyarootthatclingstoitforalongtime?Don’tlettheseedin:itwillbreakyourfaithinpieces.Rootouttheproblembefore itblooms,or,becauseyouwere lazyat thebeginning,youmayhave toattackitwithaxesandfirelater.



What small sins do I let the devil persuade me to indulge in—sins that might begrowingroots?Alittlebitofgluttony?Asmidgenoflust?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, protect me from the snares of the Evil One, make the evil odor of my soulfragrantagain,andpurifymewiththesanctifyingpowerofyourHolySpirit.

TheOldandNewTestamentsagree

InthetwoSeraphimIsaiahsawintheheavenlycourt,St.AugustineseesasymbolofthetwoTestamentsofScripture—bothof themsinging“Holy,holy,holy”inperfecttune.

Hear thisaswell: “OutofZion, theperfectionofbeauty,Godshines forth” (Ps.50:2).Thepsalmclearly agreeswith theGospel,which says, “to all nations, beginningfromJerusalem”(Luke24:47).

“Out ofZion, theperfectionof beauty”means that thebeautyof his gospel beginsthere.From therehebegan tobepreached,beautiful in formbeyondallhumanity.ThatagreeswiththewordsoftheLord,whosays,“beginningfromJerusalem.”Newthingsarein tune with old, and old things are in tune with new. The two Seraphim say to oneanother,“Holy,holy,holy is theLordofhosts”(Isa.6:3).ThetwoTestaments(OldandNew) are both in tune, and the two Testaments have one voice. Let the voice of theTestamentsbeheard—notthevoiceofdisinheritedpretenders.



AmIsensitivetotheroletheangelshaveplayedthroughallthehistoryofsalvation,intheOldTestamentandtheNewTestament?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,blessmeandkeepme,andhelpmetoreceiveyourwordasitisdeliveredbytheangels—asMosesdid,astheprophetsdid,asJohntheseerdid.

Angelswillproclaimthegospeltotheend

InOrigen’stime,somehereticalsectssaidthattheGodoftheOldTestamentwasnotthesameastheGodoftheNew.ButOrigensaysthereisonlyonegospel,andangelswillproclaimittoeverynationeventotheendoftime.

ButthebeginningofthegospelisnothingbutthewholeOldTestament.

John(theBaptist)is,inthisrespect,atypeoftheOldTestament,or,ifweregardtheconnectionoftheNewTestamentwiththeOld,JohnrepresentstheterminationoftheOld.Markhimselfsays:“ThebeginningofthegospelofJesusChrist,theSonofGod.Asitiswritten in Isaiah the prophet, ‘Behold, I sendmymessenger before thy face,who shallpreparethyway;thevoiceofonecryinginthewilderness:PreparethewayoftheLord,makehispathsstraight’”(Mark1:1-3).

AndhereImustwonderhowthehereticscanconnect the twoTestamentswith twodifferentGods.Thesewords,eveniftherewerenoothers,areenoughtoconvictthemoftheirerror.HowcanJohnbethebeginningofthegospeliftheysupposehebelongstoadifferentGod,ifhebelongstothedemiurge,and,astheyhold,isnotacquaintedwiththenewdeity?

Andtheangelsarenotentrustedwithjustoneevangelicalministry—andthatashortone, the one addressed to the shepherds—for at the end an exalted and flying angel,having the gospel, will preach it to every nation, for the good Father has not entirelydeserted those who have fallen away from him. John, son of Zebedee, says in hisApocalypse: “Then I saw another angel flying inmidheaven,with an eternal gospel toproclaim to thosewhodwellonearth, toeverynationand tribeand tongueandpeople;andhesaidwithaloudvoice,‘FearGodandgivehimglory,forthehourofhisjudgmenthas come; and worship himwhomade heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains ofwater’”(Rev.14:6-7).

–Origen,CommentaryonJohn,1.14


HowamIhelpingtheangelsspreadthegospel?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Remember, in yourmercyandcompassion,allwhohavenotheardyourWord,andsendyourmessengerstoproclaimittothem.

Christwasmademan,notangel

St.Gregory theGreatsays thatChristwasmademanbecausehecame tosaveus,not the fallen angels. By not taking on their nature, he rejected Satan and hisfollowers.

OuroldenemydoesactuallyseethecomingoftheRedeemer.But,becauseheisrestrictedbythedarknessofhispride,henevercomesbacktopardonwiththeelect.

Thisiswhyitiswritten,“ForsurelyitisnotwithangelsthatheisconcernedbutwiththedescendantsofAbraham”(Heb.2:16).

In fact, this iswhy ourRedeemerwas notmade an angel, butwasmademan.Heneededtobemadeofthesamenatureasthatwhichheredeemed;sohecouldletthelostangel go immediately, by not taking on his nature, and restore humanity by taking ournatureintohimself.



Christtookonmynature,notthenatureoftheangels.HowmucheffortdoIputintotryingtoimitateChrist?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Savior,Redeemer,andBenefactor,whenyoucametoredeemmefromtheshameofmytransgressions,youweremadeahumanbeinglikeme.Teachmetoimitateyourhumility,sothatImayalsobecountedasachildofGod.

Godpassedtheangelstobecomeoneofus

Why did it take the whole Old Testament to prepare humanity for Christ? Simplybecause the truth of the Incarnation was so incomprehensibly wonderful, says St.JohnChrysostom.Godpassedbyalltheordersofangelstobecomealowlyhumanbeing.

ThetruthoftheIncarnationwasveryhardtoreceive.God’sextraordinarymercyand the greatness of his condescension were simply amazing, and needed muchpreparationtobeaccepted.

Godisindescribable,unintelligible,invisible,incomprehensible.Heholdstheendsofthe earth in his hands. He looks on the world and makes it tremble. He touches themountains andmakes them smoke. Even theCherubim couldn’t bear theweight of hiscondescension,butveiledtheirfacesintheshelteroftheirwings.

Thinkwhat a great thing it was to hear and learn that this Godwho surpasses allunderstanding,andbafflesallcalculation,hadpassedbyAngels,Archangels,andallthespiritualpowersabove,anddeignedtobecomeahumanbeing,totakefleshmadeofearthand clay, and enter thewombof a virgin, andbe carried there for ninemonths, andbenourishedwithmilk,andsuffereverythingthatcanhappentoaman.

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homilyon“Father,IfItBePossible…”


How must the Incarnation have looked from the angels’ point of view? WouldthinkingofitfromthatpointofviewhelpmeseehowmuchGodhasgivenme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

WiththeheavenlypowersIgiveyouthanks,Lord,becauseyouhavegrantedmeyourgreatgracethatcannotberepaid.Youtookonourhumannature,thatyoumightbestowlifeonusthroughyourdivinity.Youraisedourruinedstate.Yourousedupourmortality.Youblottedoutourguilt.Youenlightenedourintelligence.Youcondemnedourenemy,andyoucausedourinsignificantandfeeblenaturetotriumph.

Theangelsareevangelists,too

Origen suggests that, ifwe call theGospelwriters evangelists (aGreekword thatmeans “messengers of good news”), then surely we ought to call the angelsevangelistsaswell,sincetheywerethefirstwhobroughtthegoodnews.

Iftherearesomepeoplewhoarehonoredwiththeministryofevangelists,andifJesushimselfbringsnewsofgoodthingsandpreachestheGospeltothepoor,surelythosemessengerswhoweremadespiritsbyGod,thosewhoareaflameoffire,ministersoftheFatherofall,cannothavebeenexcludedfrombeingevangelistsalso.

Thus an angel standing over the shepherds made a bright light shine round aboutthem,andsaid:“Benotafraid;forbehold,Ibringyougoodnewsofagreatjoywhichwillcometoall thepeople; for toyou isborn thisday in thecityofDavidaSavior,whoisChristtheLord”(Luke2:10-11).

AndatatimewhentherewasnoknowledgeamonghumanityofthemysteryoftheGospel,thosewhoweregreaterthanhumanandinhabitantsofHeaven,thearmyofGod,praisedGod,saying,“Glory toGod in thehighest,andonearthpeaceamongmenwithwhom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14).And having said this, the angels go away from theshepherdsintoHeaven,leavingustogatherhowthejoypreachedtousthroughthebirthof Jesus Christ is glory in the highest to God; they humbled themselves even to theground,andthenreturnedtotheirplaceofrest,toglorifyGodinthehighestthroughJesusChrist.

Buttheangelsalsowonderat thepeacewhichis tobebroughtaboutonaccountofJesus on the earth, that seat of war, on which Lucifer, star of the morning, fell fromHeaven,tobewarredagainstanddestroyedbyJesus.

–Origen,CommentaryonJohn,1.13


WhatamIdoingtopassonthemessagetheangelsfirstbroughttous?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Countmeworthy, Lord, to be your angel on earth, and tomake known yourWordwithoutcondemnation.

Theangelslearnedthegospelalongwithus

IntroducingtheGospelofJohntohisflock,St.JohnChrysostomtellsthemtheyareabouttohearwhattheangelsthemselvesdidn’tknowuntilitwasrevealedtousandthem—thefulltruthoftheGospel.

AllHeavenishisstage.Histheateris theinhabitedworld.All theangelsarehisaudience—andallofuswhoareangelsalready,orwanttobecomeangels.Foronlysuchpeoplecanheartheharmonytruly,andshowitintheirworks.Buttherestarelikelittlechildrenwho hear but don’t understandwhat they’re hearing, because they’re thinkingabout candyand toys: stuck inmerriment and luxury, livingonly forwealth andpowerandpleasure,theysometimeshearwhatissaid,buttheydisplaynothinggreatornobleinwhat they do. They don’t make themselves part of the clay that forms bricks for theChurch.

BesidethisApostle thepowersfromabovearestanding,marvelingat thebeautyofhissoul,andhisunderstanding,andthebloomingvirtuethatdrewChristhimselftohim,andwonhimthegraceoftheSpirit.Hehasmadehissoulready,asifitwereawell-madelyrewithgoldenstrings,andgivenituptothespirittoplaysomethinggreatanddivine.

Sincethisisnolongerjustthefisherman,thesonofZebedee,buttheOnewhoknowsthedeepthingsofGod(1Cor.2:10)—ImeantheHolySpirit—thatplaysthislyre,letuslisten.Forhewillnotspeaktousasaman,buthewillsaywhathesaysfromthedepthsoftheSpirit,fromthosesecretthingsthateventheangelsdidn’tknowbeforetheyhappened.TheyalsohavelearnedwhatweknowfromthevoiceofJohnwithus,andevenbyus—asanotherApostle declared: “that through the church themanifoldwisdom ofGodmightnowbemadeknowntothePrincipalitiesandPowersintheheavenlyplaces”(Eph.3:10).

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily1ontheGospelofJohn


DoImaketimetolistentothemessagethattheangelsweresoeagertohear?

CLOSINGPRAYER

YouaretheGospelandthelight,Saviorandkeeperofmysoulandbody.

AngelssawtheSonwhenwedid

Theangels,saysSt.JohnChrysostom,didnotknowthemysteryof theSonofGoduntilitwasrevealedtotheChurch.This,asSt.Paulsays,isagreatmystery,andthebeginningofourbeingmadeliketheangels.

“Greatindeed,weconfess,isthemysteryofourreligion:

Hewasmanifestedintheflesh,

vindicatedintheSpirit,

seenbyangels,

preachedamongthenations,

believedonintheworld,

takenupinglory”(1Tim.3:16).

TheChurchisthepillaroftheworld.Considerthismystery,andyoumaybestruckwithawe: for it is indeedagreatmystery, andamysteryofgodliness, and thatwithoutcontroversyorquestion,forit isbeyondalldoubt.Sinceinhis(Paul’s)directionstothepriestshehadrequirednothinglikewhatisfoundinLeviticusherefersthewholemattertoAnother,saying,“Hewasmanifestedintheflesh.”

The Creator was seen incarnate. “He was vindicated in the Spirit.” As it is said,Wisdomisjustifiedbyherchildren—or,becauseChristpracticednoguile,astheprophetsays,“althoughhehaddonenoviolence,andtherewasnodeceitinhismouth”(Isa.53:9).“Seenbyangels.”SothatangelstogetherwithussawtheSonofGod,nothavingbeforeseenhim.Great,trulygreat,wasthismystery!

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily11on1Timothy


God gave his revelation to both angels and human beings. Do I recognize theircompanywhenIhearGod’swordproclaimed?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GodandLordofall,letmejoinmypraisetothepraiseofallcreation:thesun,themoon,andallthechoirofthestars;earth,sea,andallthatisinthem;spiritsofthejustand of prophets; souls of martyrs and of apostles; Angels, Archangels, Thrones,Dominions, Principalities, and Authorities, and dread Powers; and the many-eyedCherubim,andthesix-wingedSeraphim.

Maryalonesawthegloryofthearchangel

Mary,theBlessedVirgin,hadaprivilegenooneelseinhistoryhaseverhad,saysSt.GregorytheWonder-Worker:shesawthearchangelGabrielinallhisglory.

Mostoftheholyfathers,andthepatriarchs,andtheprophetsdesiredtoseeChristandtobeeyewitnessesofhim.Buttheydidnotreachthatgoal.Invisions,someofthemsaw him figuratively and dimly. Others had the privilege of hearing the divine voicethroughthecloud,andwerefavoredwithvisionsofholyangels.

ButonlytoMary,thepurevirgin,didthearchangelGabrielshowhimselfluminously,bringingherthehappygreeting,“Hail,youwhoarefullofgrace!”

Andthatwashowshereceivedtheword.Andinduetime,asthebodyranitscourse,shebroughtforththepricelesspearl.–Origen,LettertoGregory,3

–St.GregoryThaumaturgus,Homily1ontheAnnunciationtotheHolyVirginMary


AmIreadytoreceivenewsofGod’splanforme, thewayMarywillinglyreceivedthenewsthearchangelbroughther?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangel,St.Gabriel,youcamefromHeaventoaddressOurLadyasyourqueen.May we too recognize her queenship, give her due reverence, and know her powerfulmaternalcareinourlives.

UndoingEve’sdamage

TheAnnunciation,saysSt.Irenaeus,ismorethangoodnews.Inherobediencetotheword from a good angel, Mary undoes the effects of Eve’s disobedience at thepersuasionofawickedangel.

Evewasbetrothedtoaman,andwasunhappilydeceived.

TheVirginMarywasbetrothedtoamanaswell.ThetruthhappilydeclaredtoherbytheangelshowsthattheLordwascomingtowhatbelongedtohim,andsustainingthembymeansofthatcreationwhichhehimselfsupports.Hewasreenactingthatdisobediencethathadhappenedinconnectionwithatreethroughtheobedienceheshowedonthetree.AndtheeffectsofEve’sdeceptionwerebeingdoneawaywith.

Just as Eve was led astray by an angel, so that she fled from God when she haddisobeyedhisword,soMaryheardfromanangelthegladnewsthatshewouldbearGodinobediencetohisword.ThoughEvedisobeyedGod,MarywaspersuadedtoobeyGod,sothatshemightadvocateforthevirginEve.

Thus,justasthehumanracefellintobondagebymeansofavirgin,soitisrescuedbyavirgin.Onevirgin’sdisobedienceisbalancedinthescalebytheothervirgin’sobedience.

–St.Irenaeus,AgainstHeresies,5.19.1


Whichofthetwoangelsmoreoftenpersuadesme—GabrielorSatan?

CLOSINGPRAYER

God,youwerepleasedthatyourWord,whentheangeldeliveredhismessage,shouldtakefleshinthewomboftheBlessedVirginMary.Giveeartomyhumblepetitions,andgrantthatI,whotrulybelievehertobeMotherofGod,maybehelpedbyherprayers.

WeaddourpraisetoGabriel’s

St.Gregory theWonder-Worker invitesus to joinourvoices to theangelGabriel’s.When we look at what graces were given to Mary, we can only say along withGabriel,“Hail,Ofavoredone,theLordiswithyou!”

DavidandIsaiahandalltheprophetsforetoldtheLord’sbecomingmaninalltheirpreaching.Butyou,HolyVirgin—youaloneshallreceivethemysteryunknownbythem.Learn,anddonotwonderhowthiscanhappentoyou.Forhewhomademanoutofvirginsoil,theverysamewillnowdoashewishesforthesalvationofhiscreature.

New radiance of eternal light gleams forth for us now in the inspired harmony ofthesewords.NowisitrightandfittingformetowonderliketheHolyVirgin,whomtheangel appropriately first greeted thus: “Hail, O favored one”—becausewith her all thetreasuresofgracearemadealive.Amongallnationsshealonewasbothvirginandmotherandwithoutknowledgeofman,holyinbodyandsoul.AmongallnationsshealonewasmadeworthytobringforthGod;aloneshecarriedinhertheOnewhocarrieseverythingbyhisWord.

AndnotonlyisitrighttomarvelatthebeautyoftheHolyMotherofGod,butalsoattheexcellenceofherspirit.Thereforeletusalsocome,myfriends,anddischargeourdebtaccordingtoourability.Followingthevoiceofthearchangel, letuscryaloud:“Hail,Ofavoredone,theLordiswithyou!”

–St.GregoryThaumaturgus,HomilyConcerningtheMotherofGod,20-23


HaveImadetheHolyVirgin,QueenofAngels,aregularpartofmyprayerlife?

CLOSINGPRAYER

All-holy, pure, most glorious, andmost blessed Lady, Queen of the heavenly hose,helpmetobeliketheangelsindevotingmywholelifetoChristmyGod.

TheperplexityofGabriel

WefinditeasytoimaginehowamazedMarywasbytheAnnunciation.ButwhatwasGabriel thinking? St. Gregory, known as the Wonder-Worker, imagines Gabriel’sperplexity when he’s given his assignment. The mystery of the Incarnation is asbafflingtoarchangelsasitistohumans(1Peter1:12).

“SpeakintheearsofmyrationalArk”(GodsaidtoGabriel),“toprepareawayformeinherhearing.ButdonotdisturbortroublethesouloftheVirgin.Showyourselfinawaybefittingthatsanctuary,andgreetherfirstwiththevoiceofgladness.AddressMarywiththissalutation:‘Hail,Ofavoredone,’sothatImayshowcompassionforEveinherfall.”

The archangel heard these things, and thought them over—which was onlyreasonable. “This is a strange thing,” he thought. “What has just been said is beyondcomprehension.HewhoisdreadedbytheCherubim,hewhocannotbelookedonbytheSeraphim,hewho is incomprehensible toall theheavenlypowers—ishesaying thathewillbeconnectedthiswaywithavirgin?Isheannouncingthathewillcomeinperson?Andmore, does hemake himself available to her hearing? Is hewho condemned Eveeager togiveEve’s daughter suchhonor?Forhe says, ‘toprepare away forme inherhearing.’Canthewombcontainhimwhocannotbecontainedinspace?Thisiscertainlyafearfulmystery.”

–St.GregoryThaumaturgus(Wonder-Worker),Homily3


When I see the Incarnation from Gabriel’s point of view, does it give me a freshappreciationforthemagnitudeofGod’sgrace?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LetmejoinmyprayertotheprayersofGabrielandalltheangelswhoministeredtothe Son inHeaven. They saw him on earthwhen hewas serving us, washing our feet,cleansingoursouls.Blessedbehislowliness!

Hail,Ofavoredone

IfweimitatethevirtuesoftheBlessedVirginMary,saysSt.GregoryThaumaturgus,thenwe,too,willbeincludedinthatangelicsalutation,“Hail,Ofavoredone!”

Withwhatspiritualsongorwordshallwehonorherwhoismostgloriousamongthe angels?She is planted in the houseofGod like a fruitful olive that theHolySpiritovershadowed;andbymeansofherwearecalledsonsandheirsofthekingdomofChrist.Sheistheever-bloomingparadiseofincorruptibility,inwhichisplantedthetreethatgiveslife,andthatprovidesthefruitsofimmortalitytoall.Sheistheboastandgloryofvirgins,andtheexultationofmothers.Sheisthesuresupportofthebelieving,andthehelpofthepious.Sheisthevestureoflight,andthedwellingplaceofvirtue.Sheistheever-flowingfountain, from which the water of life sprang and produced the Lord’s incarnatemanifestation.Sheis themonumentofrighteousness;andallwhobecomeloversofher,andsettheiraffectionsonvirgin-likeinnocenceandpurity,willenjoythegraceofangels.

All who keep themselves from wine and intoxication, and from the wantonenjoymentsofstrongdrink,willbemadegladwiththeproductsofthelife-bearingplant.Allwhohavekeptthelampofvirginityalightwillbeprivilegedtoreceivetheunfadingcrown of immortality. All who have possessed themselves of the stainless robe oftemperancewill be received into themystical bride-chamber of righteousness.Allwhohave come nearer the angelic degree than others will also enter into the more realenjoyment of their Lord’s beatitude. All who have possessed the illuminating oil ofunderstanding, and the pure incense of conscience,will inherit the promise of spiritualfavorandthespiritualadoption.AllwhoworthilyobservethefestivaloftheAnnunciationof the Virgin Mary, the mother of God, acquire as their proper recompense the fullerinterestinthemessage,“Hail,Ofavoredone,theLordiswithyou!”(Luke1:28).

–St.GregoryThaumaturgus,Homily2ontheAnnunciation


WhatcouldIchangeinmylifetobeabetterimitatorofMary’svirtues,sothatIcanbeworthyofthatsameangelicgreeting?

CLOSINGPRAYER

OMotherofourLordJesusChrist,whomthearchangelGabrielcalledthe“favoredone,” beseech for me the only-begotten Son, who was born of you, to forgive me myoffensesandmysins,throughyourintercessionforme,OholyMother.

WhydidtheangelwaittotellJoseph?

St.JohnChrysostomanswersanobviousquestion:whydidn’t theangel tellJosephaboutthecomingbirthofJesusatthesametimehetoldMary?Inhisexplanation,hepointsoutthevalueofdiscretion,notjusttruth,inchoosingwhatwesayandwhenwesayit.

It’sworthaskingwhytheangeldidn’tspeaksooner,beforethehusbandhadsuchthoughts, but camewhen he thought about it, and not until then—for it is said, “as heconsideredthis,”theangelcomes(Matt.1:20).Andyettoherhedeclaredthegoodtidingsevenbefore sheconceived.Here’s anotherdifficulty; for even though theangelhadnotspoken,whywastheVirginsilent,whohadbeeninformedbytheangel;andwhy,whenshesawherbetrothedhusbandintrouble,didshenotputanendtohisperplexity?

Well,then—forwemustexplainthefirstdifficultyfirst—whydidn’ttheangelspeakbeforeJosephbecametroubled?Whatwasthereason?ItwassothatJosephwouldn’tbeunbelieving,andthesamehappentohimthathappenedtoZechariah(Luke1:18-20).Forwhenthethingwasvisible,beliefwaseasyfromthenon;butwhenithadnotyetbegun,itwasnotaseasytoreceivetheangel’ssaying.

Thisiswhytheangeldidn’tspeakatthefirst,andforthesamereasontheVirgintooheldherpeace.Shedidn’t thinkherbetrothedhusbandwouldbelieveherwhenshetoldhimsomethingnoonehadeverheardofbefore.Shewasafraidshe’dprovokehimevenmore, as though shewere concealing a sin she had committed.After all, if she herself,whowastoreceivesogreatafavor,reactedmoreor less likeanordinaryhumanbeing,and said, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” (Luke 1:34), he would havedoubtedmuchmore—and especially when hearing it from the woman who was undersuspicion.

That’swhytheVirginsaysnothingtohim,buttheangelpresentshimselftohimwhenthetimeisright.

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily4onMatthew,8


Angelsnevererr indiscretionbecause theyarealwaysattentive toGod.HowcanImakesureIamattentivetoGodduringallofmyhumaninteractions?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,myworldissobigandIhavenoattentionforit.Helpmetohaveamindthat is always attentive to divine things, evenwhen I am busy in the earthlywork that

needstobedone.

Praisedbyangels,borninpoverty

Although as God he was without beginning, says St. Gregory theWonder-Worker,Christ’s life on earth began the way every child’s life begins. The God whomCherubimpraisewasachildwhosharedourmiserysohecouldliftusoutofit.

Turn, congregations, andcome—letusallpraisehimwho isbornof theVirgin.Praisehimbecause,althoughhewasthegloryandimageoftheDivinitybeforetheages,he still came to sufferpovertyalongwithus.Althoughhewas thepowerand imageofGodbeyondallmagnificence,hestill tookon the formofa slave.Althoughheputsonlightasagarment,hestilllivedalifeaswretchedasours.AlthoughheishymnedbytheCherubimandbycountlessangels,hestilllivedasacitizenonearth.Althoughheexistedbeforeallexistenceandmakesallcreationalive,hewasbornoftheHolyVirgin,sothathemightmakewhathehadfirstcreatedliveagain.Althoughhesharedthebeginning-lesslifeofGodtheFather,Christ,ourGod,beganlifeasahumanbeing,sothathecouldliftfallenhumanityuptothebeginning-lessbeginningoftheDivinity.

–St.GregoryThaumaturgus,HomilyConcerningtheMotherofGod,5-6


Jesussaid,“Blessedarethepoor,”andtheangelspraisedhiminhispoverty.DoIliveapraiseworthydetachmentfrompossessions?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,letmeimitateyourhumblelife,andgaintheapprovaloftheangels,byservingyourcreaturesthewayyouservedthem.

AngelswerethefirsttopreachChrist

WhenapriestatyourparishchurchpreachesChrist,saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria,hejoinshisvoicetothevoicesoftheoriginalshepherds,wholearnedthegoodnewsofChrist’scomingfromtheangelsthemselves.

Thecompanyoftheholyprophetshadforetoldthat,induetime,hewouldbebornintheflesh,andthathewouldputonourlikeness.Nowthatthishopehadbeenfulfilled,therationalpowersofHeavenbroughtthehappynewsofhisappearanceintheworldtoshepherdsatBethlehem—thefirsttoreceivetheknowledgeofthemystery.Andthisisatypethatcorrespondstothereality:forChristrevealshimselftothespiritualshepherds,sothattheycanpreachhimtotherest—justastheholyangelstaughtChrist’smysterytotheshepherds,whothenrantobringthehappynewstotheirneighbors.

Angels,then,arethefirsttopreachhim,anddeclarehisglory,Godmiraculouslybornofawomanintheflesh.

Sowhenyouseethechildwrappedinswaddlingclothes,donotletyourthoughtstopathisbirthintheflesh.RisetocontemplatehisGodlikeglory.Elevateyourmind;climbup toHeaven.Thenyouwill seehim in thehighest exaltation,with transcendentglory.Youwillseehimlifteduponathrone.YouwillheartheSeraphimpraisinghiminhymns,andsayingthat“heavenandeartharefullofhisglory.”

Indeed,thishasevenhappenedonearth.ForthegloryofGodshonetotheshepherds,andamultitudeof theheavenlyhost toldChrist’sglory.Manyholyprophetswerebornfromtimetotime,butnoneofthemeverwasglorifiedbyangels’voices—fortheyweremen,likeus.ButChristwasnotlikethem:heisGodandLord.Hewastheonewhosenttheholyprophets.Asthepsalmistsays,“WhointhecloudsshallbecomparedtotheLord,andwhoshallbelikenedtotheLordamongthesonsofGod?”

–St.CyrilofAlexandria,CommentaryonLuke,2:8-18


NoonecanpraiseGodadequately.ButdoIsetasidesometimeinmyprayerlifejusttopraiseGodforhisgoodnessandshowmygratitude?

CLOSINGPRAYER

“Holy,holy,holyistheLordofhosts;thewholeearthisfullofhisglory”(Isa.6:3).

Thebestnewsever

The birth ofChrist, says St. JohnChrysostom, is simply the best news ever. In aninstanttheworldischanged,andwe’remadeclosefriendswiththeangels.

Whatnewscouldeverbeasgoodasthis?GodonEarth—maninHeaven—andallmixedtogether:angelsjoinedthechoirsofmen;menhadfellowshipwiththeangels,andwith the other powers above! We see the long war ended, and God and our naturereconciled—the devil brought to shame, demons in flight, death destroyed, Paradiseopened,thecurseblottedout,sinputoutoftheway,errordrivenoff,truthreturning,theword of godliness planted everywhere, and flourishing in its growth, the city of thoseaboveplantedon theearth, thosepowers in safeassociationwithus,andangelsalwaysvisitingearth,andhopeabundantforthingstocome!



In the Lord’s Incarnation, we are led to see “the angels of God ascending anddescendingupontheSonofMan”(Jn.1:51).DoIgratefullyandeagerlytakeupthisgift?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelofGod,youknowtheplanofsalvation,themeansbywhichGodhasdivinizedhumanflesh.Helpmeto live inmybodythewaytheLordlivedinhis, thatImayknowglorywithhimandwithyouforever.

Christgivesusthepeaceoftheangels

Christ,saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria,takesawaythesinthatcamebetweenusandtheFather.NowwecanhavethesamepeacethattheangelsknowinHeaven—thepeacetheangelsproclaimedtotheshepherdswhenJesusChristwasborn.

Sodonotlookuponhimwhowaslaidinthemangermerelyasababy,butinourpovertyseehimwhoasGodisrich,andinthemeasureofourhumanityhimwhoexcelstheinhabitantsofHeaven,andwhothereforeisglorifiedevenbytheholyangels.

And how noble was the hymn, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peaceamong men with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). For the Angels and Archangels,ThronesandDominions,andhighabovethemtheSeraphim,preservingtheirsettledorder,areatpeacewithGod.Theynevertransgresshisgoodpleasureinanyway,butarefirmlyestablishedinrighteousnessandholiness.Butwe,wretchedbeings,bysettingupourownlusts in opposition to the will of our Lord, had put ourselves into the position of hisenemies.

ButChristhasgotridofallthis.Heisourpeace;hehasunitedusbyhimselftoGodtheFather.Hehastakensinawayfrombetweenus—sin,thecauseoftheenmity—andsojustifiesusby faith, andmakesusholy andwithoutblame, andcallsnear tohim thosewhowerefaroff.Andbesidesthis,hehascreatedthetwopeopleintoonenewman,thusmaking peace and reconciling both in one body to the Father. For it pleased God theFathertoformallthingsintoonenewwholeinhim,andtobindtogetherthingsbelowandthingsabove,andtomakethoseinHeavenandthoseonEarthintooneflock.

Christ,therefore,hasbeenmadeforusbothPeaceandGoodwill.



Christgivesmethechancetolivealifeliketheangels’life,withmywillalwaysinharmonywithGod’s.HowwellamItakinghimuponthatoffer?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,letmenotbecastoutfromyourpresenceastherebelliousangelswere,butasyourservantletmefindgraceandmercy.

Alittlechild,Commanderofangels

St.EphremtheSyrianmeditatesonwhatitmeantfortheLordofalltobeahumanchild. Even as a baby crawling on the floor, Christ was in command of all themultitudesofangels.

Whenitborehim,theseawascalm.HowcouldthelapofJosephbearhim?

The womb of hell conceived him and burst open. How could the womb ofMarycontainhim?

Hebrokeopenthestonethatwasoverhisgravebyhismight.HowcouldMary’sarmholdhim?

Youcametoalowestate,sothatyoumightraisealltolife.Glorybetoyoufromallwhoaremadealivebyyou!

WhocanspeakoftheSonoftheHiddenOne,whocamedownandclothedhimselfwith a body in thewomb?He came forth and suckedmilk as a child; the Lord of allcrawledaroundwithlittlechildren.Theysawhimasa littlechildin thestreet; insecretangelssurroundedhiminfear.Hewascheerfulwiththelittleonesasachild;hewasawe-inspiringwiththeangelsasaCommander.Hewastoo-awe-inspiringforJohntoloosethebuckleofhissandal;hewasgentletosinnerswhokissedhisfeet.

The angels saw him as angels see; each human being saw him according to themeasureofhisownknowledge.Eachonesaw theOnegreater thanallaccording to themeasureofhisdiscernment.OnlyheandtheFatherhavethefullmeasureofknowledge,soastoknowhimasheis.



HowdoesimaginingJesusasachildplayinginthestreetaffectmyrelationshipwiththe Son of God? When I see a child playing today, can I imagine that child as theCommanderoflegionsofangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LordJesusChrist,youwereincommandofcountlessmyriadsofangels,yetyoucametousasahelplesschild.Teachmethatsamehumility,sothatwithyouImayrisetoglory.

TheLordofhostsiswithus

Asthepsalmsays,notjustanangel,notjustahostofangels,buttheLordofalltheangelsiswithus—theLordwhocametomakeusequaltotheangels.Whatcanwepossiblyfear,St.Augustineasks,ifwehavetheLordhimselfonourside?

TheLordofhostsiswithus;

theGodofJacobisourrefuge(Ps.46:7).

Notanyman,notanypower,not,inshort,anangel,oranycreatureeitherearthlyorheavenly,but theLordofhosts iswithus; theGodofJacob isourrefuge.Hewhosentangels, came after angels, came so that angelsmight serve him, came tomake humanbeingsequaltoangels.

Whatpowerfulgrace!IfGodisforus,whocanbeagainstus?“TheLordofhostsiswithus.”WhatLordofhostsiswithus?AsIsay,“IfGodisforus,whoisagainstus?Hewhodidnot spare his ownSonbut gavehimup for us all,will henot alsogiveus allthingswithhim?”(Rom.8:31-32).

Letusbesecure,then,andcultivateagoodconscienceintranquilityofheartwiththebreadoftheLord.



Ismyhearttranquil,orismyconsciencetroubled?WillknowingthatGodhimself—who made beings as powerful as angels—fights on my side help me overcome mytroubles?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Helpmetoremaininpeace,Lord,knowingthatnotonlyismyangelwithme,butyouwhocreatedthatangel,arewithmeaswell.

AngelsjoinusinChristmaspraise

InahymnfortheChristmasvigil,St.EphremtheSyrianexpresseshisastonishmentthat angels and archangels joined with human beings to praise Christ. In ourChristmashymns,wearethecompanionsoftheSeraphim.

Onhisfeastday,letustellofthebirthoftheFirst-Born.

Onhisday,hegivesussecretcomforts.Ifthewickedkingathisfeast,inmemoryofhisownbirthday,gavethegiftofwrath,thehead(ofJohntheBaptist)onaplatter,howmuchmorewilltheBlessedgiveblessingstouswhenwesingpraisesathisfeast!

Let us not suppose that this evening is like any other evening. The reward of ourwakefulness—hisfeast—exceedsahundredtimeseveryotherday.Thisfeastmakeswaronsleepthisevening.Speakingofitmakeswaronsilence.Adornedwitheveryblessing,itisthehighestofallfeasts,andofeveryjoy.

Today the angels and archangels came down to sing a new song on earth. In thismystery they come down and rejoice with those who keep the vigil. Blasphemy waseverywhere, but they gave praise. Blessed be the birth by which—Look!—the worldresoundswithanthemsofpraise!

ForthisisthenightthatbroughttogethertheWatchersonhighwiththekeepersofthevigil.TheWatcherscame tomakemorewatchers in themidstofcreation.Look!Thosewho keep the vigil become friends of the watchers! Those who sing praise becomecompanionsoftheSeraphim!BlessedbeanyonewhobecomestheharpofChrist’spraise—andChrist’sgracebecomeshisreward.

–St.EphremtheSyrian,HymnsontheNativity,14


WhenChristmasiscoming,doIfindmyplaceinthedramaofsalvationastheangelsfoundtheirplaceattheAnnunciation,atthecrib,ontheroadwiththeMagi,andamongtheshepherdsinthefields?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Angelswhomwehave heard on high, teach us to praise theGod comedown fromHeaventotakeonourlowliness.

“Increasedinwisdomandstature”

Whatdoes itmeanwhenLuke says that the child Jesus“increased inwisdomandstature”?St.AthanasiussaysthattheWordofGodcouldnotgrowanymoreperfect;butthehumanbodygrew,andasJesusgrewolderthepeoplearoundhimunderstoodhiswisdommoreandmore.

“AndJesusincreasedinwisdomandinstature,andinfavorwithGodandman”(Luke2:52).

If he “increases” in being the Word, what more can he become than Word andWisdomandSonandGod’spower?TheWordisallthesethings.Anyonewhosharesevenone ray of all this light, so to speak, becomes all-perfect amongmortals, and equal toangels.

Angels, andArchangels, andDominions, andall thePowers, andThrones, share intheWord, and by sharing in theWord always see the face of the Father. He suppliesperfectiontoothers!Howcanhe“increase”morethantheydo?AngelsevenministeredathisNativity—andthispassagefromLukecomeslaterthanthat.

Howcouldanyoneeventhinkit?HowcouldWisdomadvanceinwisdom?

No, he did not “increase” as theWord, but he did as aman, since it is human toincrease.ThustheEvangelist,choosinghiswordscarefully,mentionsthatheincreased“instature.”AsWordandGodheisnotmeasuredinstature:staturebelongstobodies.Sotheincrease is of the body; and when it increased, the manifestation of the Godhead alsoincreased,tothosewhosawit.

–St.Athanasius,Discourse3AgainsttheArians


IfIspentsometimemeditatingonthehumangrowthofJesus,mightthathelpmeseethewisdomoftheWord,withoutwhomnoteventheangelscanseethefaceoftheFather?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LordJesusChrist,letmeshareonerayofyourlight,sothatImayatthelastbecomeequaltotheangels.

“Angel”washisjob,nothisnature

SomeeveninthetimeofChristthoughtJohntheBaptistwasaheavenlyangelintheform of a man. The word “angel” is from the Greek word for “messenger,” andGreekmakesnodistinctionbetween“angel”and“messenger.”ThusSt.Cyrilhastoexplainthat“messenger”isJohn’sjobdescription,nothisnature.

TherewasalreadyarumorgoingaroundthattheholyBaptistwasnotreallyamanbynature,butoneoftheholyangelsinHeaven,makinguseofahumanbodyandsentbyGodtopreach.AsevidenceforthisinferencetheypointedoutthatGodhadsaid,“Behold,Isendmymessenger”(inGreek,angelon)“topreparethewaybeforeme”(Mal.3:1).

ButthosewhoimaginethatJohnwasanangelarewrong.Theydonotrealizethatthename“messenger”referstoministryratherthantoessence,evenasinthehistoryoftheblessedJob“messengers”oneaftertheotherruntoannouncehisvarioussufferings,andminister to those incurable afflictions. The verywise Paul explains something like thisabout theangels:“Aretheynotallministeringspiritssentforthtoserve,for thesakeofthosewhoaretoobtainsalvation?”(Heb.1:14).

John theblessedBaptist, then, iscalledanangelormessengerby themouthof theLord,notbecauseheisactuallybynatureanangel,butbecauseheissenttoannounceandcryaloud,“PreparethewayoftheLord.”

–St.CyrilofAlexandria,CommentaryonJohn,1.7


HowwellamIdoingmyjobasGod’sangel—thatis,ashismessengeroftheGospel?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, send me forth into the world as your angel to proclaim the gospel of yourkingdom.

ThethreefoldtemptationofChrist

St. Augustine gives us an analysis of the temptation ofChrist, showing howSatantriedtoappealtoChrist’shunger,hisvanity,andhiscuriosity.

ThetemptationoftheLordManwasthreefold:

1.Byfood:thatis,bythelustoftheflesh,wherehesuggests,“commandthesestonestobecomeloavesofbread”(Matt.4:3).

2.Byvainboasting,where,whenstationedonamountain,all thekingdomsof thisearthareshownhim,andpromisedifhewouldworship(Matt.4:8-9).

3.Bycuriosity,where,fromthepinnacleofthetemple,heisadvisedtothrowhimselfdowntoseewhetherhewouldbeheldupbyangels(Matt.4:6).

Thus,aftertheenemycouldnotprevailonhimwithanyofthesetemptations,itsays,“whenthedevilhadendedeverytemptation(Luke4:13).



HowdoIrespondwhenthedevil’stemptationsstrikeatmyhunger,myvanity,ormycuriosity? Can I think of any such temptations recently that I either did or did notovercome?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Preserveme,Lord,fromthemaliceandcraftinessoftheevilone,forthesakeofyourholyname.

Athishumblest,Christwasservedbyangels

There’snocontradiction,saysSt.Ambrose,betweensaying thatChristwashumbleandsayingthathewasLordofallthepowersofHeaven.TheIncarnation,thoughitmadehimahumblehumanbeing,didnotaffecthisdivinity.

LetusnotbetroubledifwefindtheSonofMancalledmightyinoneplace,andyet read in another that the Lord of glory was crucified. What might is greater thansovereigntyoverthepowersofHeaven?Butthissovereigntywasinthehandsofhimwhoruled over Thrones, Principalities, and Angels. For, although he was among the wildbeasts,asitiswritten,yetangelsministeredtohim.Soyoucanseethedifferencebetweenwhatbelongs to the Incarnation, andwhatbelongs to sovereignty.As far ashis flesh isconcerned,heendurestheassaultofwildbeasts;asfarashisGodheadisconcerned,heisadoredbyangels.



Do I followChrist in humility here on earth, so that Imay followhim in glory toHeaven?DoIservehimconstantlyastheangelsdo?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Sowinmethegoodseedofhumility,Lord,andteachmetoserveyouasconstantlyasyourangelsdo.

DemonsrecognizeChristbutdon’tknowhim

Christ revealed enoughof himself to thedemons so that theywould fearandobeyhim,saysSt.Augustine.But theydidn’tknowhim thewayhe isknownby theholyangels,wholovehisrighteousnessandsharehiseternallife.

ThedevilsthemselvesknewthismanifestationofGodsowellthattheysaidtotheLord, thoughhewasclothedwith the infirmityof flesh,“Whathaveyou todowithus,JesusofNazareth?Haveyoucometodestroyus?”(Mark1:24).

From thesewords, it is clear that they had great knowledge, and no charity. Theyfearedhispowertopunish,anddidnotlovehisrighteousness.Heletthemknowasmuchashepleased,andhewaspleasedtoletthemknowasmuchaswasnecessary.Buthedidnotmakehimselfknownthesamewayashedoestotheholyangels,whoknowhimastheWordofGod,andrejoiceinhiseternity,whichtheyshare.Hemadehimselfknownonlyasmuch aswas needed to terrify the beings fromwhose tyranny hewas going to freethosewhowere predestined to his kingdomand the gloryof it, eternally true and trulyeternal.

Hemade himself known to the demons, therefore, by someworldly effects of hispower,andevidencesofhismysteriouspresence,whichweremoreeasilydiscernedbytheangelicsensesevenofwickedspiritsthanbyhumaninfirmity.

Butwhenhejudgeditadvisabletosuppressthesesignsgradually,andtoretireintodeeperobscurity,theprinceofthedemonswasnotsurehewastheChrist,andtriedtofindout by tempting him, asmuch as he permitted himself to be tempted, so that hemightmakethehumanityheworeanexampleforustoimitate.Butafterthattemptation,when,as Scripture says (Matt. 4:3-11), hewasministered to by the angelswho are good andholy, and therefore objects of terror to the impure spirits, he revealed more and moredistinctlytothedemonshowgreathewas,sothat,eventhoughtheinfirmityofhisfleshmightseemcontemptible,nonedaredtoresisthisauthority.



Do I know Christ as my joy and my life, the way the angels do? Or do I onlyrecognizehim,thewaythedemonsdo?HowcanIknowChristbetter?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,myprotectors,youwillwhatGodwills,onEarthasinHeaven.Guardmefromthesnaresoftheonewhowasamurdererfromthebeginning,andwhoseeksmy

demise.InyourcareIwillalwaysknowsafety.

Christwasmadelessthantheangels

Arguing against heretics who denied that the Son was equal to the Father, St.Ambrose marvels at the pride of people who would judge God. Yet the mostwonderful thing of all is not that the Son is equal to theFather, but that hemadehimselflessthantheangelsforoursake.

Theysayheisinferior:Iask,whohasmeasuredit?Whohassuchanextravagantlyproudheart,as toplace theFatherand theSonbeforehis judgmentseat todecideuponwhichisthegreater?“Myheartisnothaughty,noraremyeyesraiseduntovanity,”saysDavid.KingDavid feared to raisehisheart inpride inhumanaffairs,butwe raiseourseveninoppositiontothedivinesecrets.

WhoshalldecideabouttheSonofGod?Thrones,Dominions,Angels,Powers?ButArchangelsgiveattendanceandservehim,CherubimandSeraphimminister tohimandpraisehim.Who thendecidesabout theSonofGod,on reading that theFatherhimselfknowstheSon,butwillnotjudgehim?FornooneknowstheSonbuttheFather(Matt.11:27). “Knows,” it says, not “judges.” It is one thing to know, another to judge. TheFatherhasknowledgeinhimself.TheSonhasnopowersuperiortohimself.Andagain:No one knows the Father but the Son; and he himself knows the Father, as the Fatherknowshim.

Butyousaythathesaidhewasinferior.Hesaidalsohewasastone(Luke20:17-18).Yousaymore,andyetyouimpiouslyattackhim.IsaylessandwithreverenceaddtoHishonor.Yousayheisinferior,andconfesshimtobeabovetheangels.Isayheislessthanthe angels, yet do not take from his honor; for I do not refute his Godhead, but I doproclaimhispity.



WhenIrecognizethegloryoftheangels,howmuchmoreIwillappreciatetheLord’sincarnation.Heisgreaterthantheangels,yethemadehimselflessformysake.

CLOSINGPRAYER

Let theCherubimwho carried up the Son in glory praise himwithme.He left hisglory,andtoiledandfoundthesheepthatwaslost.Thanksbetohim!

Let the Seraphimpraise himwithme also. Theywho had proclaimed the Son holywatchedashewasreviledbythosewhodeniedhim.Heboretheircontemptandtaughtustopraise.GlorybetoChrist!

Godleadsuspasttheangelstohimself

Theangelsareimmortalandblessed,saysSt.Augustine,butit’snottheirnaturethatwewillshareinHeaven.Bybecomingaman,GodleadsustosharethenatureoftheTrinity,whichistheverysourceoftheangels’immortalityandblessedness.

IdonotsaythatChristisMediatorbecauseheistheWord,forastheWordheissupremelyblessedandsupremelyimmortal,andthereforefarfrommiserablemortals.Buthe isMediatorbecausehe isman.Byhishumanityhe showsus thatweneednot seekother mediators to lead us step by step to that blessed and beatific good, but that theblessedandbeatificGod,havinghimselfbecomeapartakerofourhumanity,hasgivenusready access to participation in his divinity. In delivering us from our mortality andmisery,hedoesnotleadustotheimmortalandblessedangels,sothatweshouldbecomeimmortal and blessed by participating in their nature, but he leads us straight to thatTrinity,byparticipatinginwhichtheangelsthemselvesareblessed.

Therefore, when Christ chose to be in the form of a servant, and lower than theangels,sothathemightbeourMediator,heremainedhigherthantheangels,intheformofGod—whoishimselfatoncethewayoflifeonearthandlifeitselfinHeaven.



EventheangelsinHeavenareblessedonlybecausetheyparticipateinthenatureofChrist.HowdoIsharethenatureofChristhereonearth?DoIserveasHeserved?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Blessedareyou,Oholyangels,whosecharitydoesnotgrowwearywithourhumancrimes.Wethankyouforkeepingtheearthhabitablebyalwaysdwellingwithinit.

Lowerthantheangels,butservedbythem

WhenChristwasahumbleGalileancarpenter,saysSt.Ambrose,hewasstillLordofalltheangels.TheIncarnationtooknothingawayfromhisdivinity.

SotheSonofGodwasmadelowerthannotonlytheFather,butangelsaswell.Doyouthinkthatdishonorshim?ThenistheSon,asGod,lessthanhisangelswhoservehimandministertohim?

You see how, when you try to diminish his honor, you run into the blasphemy ofexaltingthenatureofangelsabovetheSonofGod.Buttheservantisnotabovehismaster(Matt. 10:24).Again, angelsministered to him even after his Incarnation, just tomakesure youwould acknowledge that he suffered no loss ofmajesty because of his bodilynature.ForGodcouldnotsubmittoanylossofhimself,whilethenaturehehastakenoftheVirginneitheraddstonortakesawayfromhisdivinepower.



TheangelsknewandservedChristevenwhenhewasahumblecarpenter’sson.DoIrecognizeChristandservehiminthehumblestpeopleIsee—thepoor,theforgotten,thehomeless?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LordJesusChrist,showforthaplainsignofyourmajesty,thatallonearthmayserveyouasfaithfullyasyourangelsserveyou.

EvenJesusreliedontheangels

Whenhewasintheflesh,JesushimselftookhisFather’sordersthroughtheangels,saysDionysius theAreopagite.Thoughhehimselfwas thecauseof theirexistence,Jesuskepthimselfwithinthelimitsassignedtomankind.

TheangelswerethefirstonesinitiatedinthedivinemysteryoftheloveofJesusforhumanity.Thenthegiftofthatknowledgepassedthroughthemtous.

For example, themost divineGabriel taught Zechariah the priest that the sonwhowould be born to him—by divine grace, when he had no hope of a son—would be aprophetoftheworkoftheLordJesus,Godincarnate,whichwouldbeshownintheworldforitsownsalvation,asbecomesGod’sgoodness.

GabrielalsorevealedtoMaryhowshewouldbearthesupremelydivinemysteryoftheineffableGodmadeflesh.

Anotherangel taught Josephhow the things thathadbeenpromised tohisancestorDavidwouldreallybefulfilled.

Another brought the glad news to the shepherds, who were purified by theirseparation from the crowd and their quiet life; and with that angel a multitude of theheavenlyhostannouncedthatoften-sungdoxologytousonearth.

Nowletus rise to thehighestmanifestationsof light inScripture:wesee thatevenJesushimself,whowasthecauseoftheseheavenlybeings’veryexistence,keptwithinthelimitsofmankindwhenhehadbecomeaman,andsubjectedhimselftothewillofGodtheFatherthroughangels.ThroughthemediationofangelsGodannouncedtoJosephthattheSonmust leave forEgypt,as theFatherhadarranged;and the return fromEgypt toJudea was announced in the same way. And through angels we see Jesus subjectinghimselftohisfather’sdecrees.

–DionysiustheAreopagite,HeavenlyHierarchy,4.4


Jesus had no need of the angels’ ministry; he accepted it in order to lead us byexample.AmIfollowingthatexamplebyrelyingontheangelstoleadmetoGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

DearJesus,youreceivedtheministryofangelsinthedesertandinthegarden.Helpustobenefitfromtheirministryinthedesertsandgardensofourownlives.

Ninety-nineangelsandonelostsheep

St.CyrilofAlexandriasuggestsan interpretationofChrist’s famousparableof thelostsheep:theninety-ninewhowerenotlostaretheangelsinHeaven,andtheonelostsheepishumanity,whichhadbeenlosttosinbutisnowbroughtbackwithgreatrejoicing.

“Whatmanofyou,havingahundredsheep, ifhehas lostoneof them,doesnotleavetheninety-nineinthewilderness,andgoafter theonewhichis lost,untilhefindsit?”(Luke15:4).Andifhehappenstofindit,Itellyoutruly,herejoicesmoreoveritthanover theninety-nine thatneverwentastray.For themultitudeof rationalcreatedbeingsthatformChrist’sflockinHeavenandonearthisinnumerable,andsogreatthatitevenmountsuptoaperfectnumber.Forthisiswhatismeantbytheterm“ahundred.”

Sothecompaniesoftheholyangelsaretheninety-nine—for,asIsaid,theyaremany—buttheflockonearthisone,butyetusefultocompletethenumber,andalsosoughtforbyChrist.Thendidheseekitaswhatwaslost,oraswhathadnotyetbeenlost?Butitisplainthatwhat is lost issoughtfor.Thenhowhaditbeenlost?Bybeingbroughtdowninto sin: by wandering from the divine will, and going far astray from the universalShepherd.

–St.CyrilofAlexandria,CommentaryonLuke,FragmentfromSermon21


AmIworkingwiththeguardianangelstogatherthelostsheepofChrist?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardianangels,bringbackthestraying,enlightenthedarkened,andbringthemallintothewayofsalvation.

Isitanangel?Judgebyitsfruits

Satan,St.Paultellsus,disguiseshimselfasanangeloflight,andhisministerswillcallthemselvesapostlesofChrist.Howwillweknowthegenuinearticle?St.CyrilofAlexandriarepeatsChrist’sadvice:examinethefruit.

Again, Christ somewhere says, “Beware of those who come to you in sheep’sclothingbutinwardlyareravenouswolves”(Matt.7:15).Seeagain,Christcommandsthatthosewhocometousmustbedistinguishednotbytheirclothing,butbywhattheyreallyare.“Forthetreeisknownbyitsfruit,”hesays(Matt.12:33);andjustasitisignoranceandfollyforustoexpecttofindourfavoritekindsoffruitsonthorns,likegrapesorfigs,so it is ridiculous for us to imagine that we can find anything admirable—Imean thenoblenessofvirtue—inhypocritesandtheprofane.

Wouldyouliketoseehowtruethisis?Wouldyouliketoseewhothewolvesarethatclothethemselvesinthesheep’sskin?LookatthewritingsoftheholyApostles:hearwhattheysayofcertainmen:“Forsuchmenarefalseapostles,deceitfulworkmen,disguisingthemselvesasapostlesofChrist.Andnowonder,forevenSatandisguiseshimselfasanangelof light.Soit isnotstrangeifhisservantsalsodisguise themselvesasservantsofrighteousness”(2Cor.11:13-15).

Wemaywellcallthesepeoplethornsandbriers.Thereisnoparticleofsweetnessinthem, but everything that is bitter and of an evil nature—for the fig does not grow onthorns—norwillonefindanythingpleasantinthem,forgrapesarenotproducedonbriers.Wemustdecide,then,thecharacteroftheteacher,notbyappearances,butbytheactsofeachone’slife.

–CyrilofAlexandria,CommentaryonLuke,Sermon33


IsayI’maChristian,but in thesightof theangels,doI lookmore likegrapesandfigs,orthornsandbriers?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpmeyieldfruitthirtyorahundredtimesinChrist’sChurch.

Whoisthevinedresser?

Intheparableofthefigtree,thevinedresserbegstheownernottocutdownthetreeuntil it has one more chance. Is that vinedresser the angel who guarded IsraelthroughouttheOldTestament?OrisittheSonintercedingwiththeFather?St.CyrilofAlexandriathinkseitherinterpretationisreasonable.

Butthevinedresserbeggedhim,saying,“Letitalone,sir,thisyearalso,tillIdigaboutitandputonmanure.Andifitbearsfruitnextyear,wellandgood;butifnot,youcancutitdown”(Luke13:8-9).

Nowweneedtoaskwhoistobeunderstoodbythevinedresser.Ifyoudecidedtosaythat it is the angelwhowas appointedbyGodas theguardianof the synagogueof theJews, you might be giving one appropriate interpretation. For we remember that theprophet Zechariah wrote, that one of the holy angels stood offering supplications forJerusalem,andsaying,“OLordofhosts,howlongwillyouhavenomercyonJerusalemand the cities of Judah, against which you have had indignation these seventy years?”(Zech. 1:12). And it is written also in Exodus, that when the ruler of the land of theEgyptianswith hiswarriorswas pursuing after the Israelites, andwas already upon thepointof engagingwith them inbattle, theangelofGod stoodbetween thecampof theIsraelitesandoftheEgyptians,andtheEgyptiansdidnotcomeneartheIsraelitesallthenight.There is therefore nothingwrong in supposinghere also that theholy angelwhowas the guardian of the synagogue offered supplications in its behalf, and prayed for arespite,incase,yieldingtobetterinfluence,itmightyetbringforthfruit.

But if anyone should say that the vinedresser is the Son, this view also has somereasononitsside.Forheisour“advocatewiththeFather”and“theexpiationforoursins”(1 John 2:1-2), and the husbandman of our souls.He constantly prunes awaywhateverinjuresus,andfillsuswithrationalandholyseeds,sothatwemaybringforthfruitsforhim.



InChristandinhisangels,I’vebeengiveneverythingIneednowtogrowandbearfruitabundantly.Whatfruitwilltheownerofthelandfindwhenhecomesbacktocheck?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian Angel of my parish church, Guardian angel of my diocese, guide us tohealthygrowth,sothatwemaybearfruitforChrist.

TheCrossbringsustogetherwiththeangels

OursiniswhatkeepsusfrombeingfitcitizensofHeaven.ButtheCrossovercomesthat,saysSt.JohnChrysostom.Becauseof theCross,wearenowpartof thesamecommunitywiththeangels.

TheCross destroyed the hostility ofGod toward humanity. It brought about thereconciliation; itmadeearthHeaven,associatedhumanbeingswithangels,pulleddownthefortressofdeath,destroyedthepowerofsin,savedtheworldfromerror,broughtbackthe truth, destroyed temples, overturned altars, suppressed the sacrifices, establishedvirtue,foundedthechurches.

TheCrossisthewilloftheFather,thegloryoftheSon,therejoicingoftheSpirit,andtheboastofPaul—for,ashesays,“farbeitfrommetogloryexceptinthecrossofourLordJesusChrist”(Gal.6:14).TheCrossisbrighterthanthesun,morebrilliantthanthesunbeam. Even when the sun is darkened, the Cross shines brightly—and the sun isdarkenednotbecause ithasgoneout,butbecause it isoverpoweredbythebrillianceoftheCross.

TheCross has brokenour chains. It hasmade the prisonof death useless. It is thedemonstrationoftheloveofGod.

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homilyon“Father,IfItBePossible…”


AmIlivingwiththeangels,acitizenofthenewkingdom?OramIstilltiedtotheoldworldofsinanddeath?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LordJesusChrist, rendermeworthyof the splendidgloryofyourkingdom,andofgladnesswith yourholyangels, andof confidencebefore you, that Imay standat yourrighthand.

AngelsgloryintheCross

Thecrosswasthemostshamefulmethodofexecutiontheancientworldcouldthinkof.ButangelsgloryintheCrossofChrist,saysSt.CyrilofJerusalem,becauseitwastheinstrumentofoursalvation.

WecannevergettiredofhearingaboutourcrownedLord—andleastofallinthismostholyGolgotha.Forwhileothersonlyhear,wecanseeandtouchaswell.

Let no one be tired! Take your armor against your adversaries in the cause of theCross itself. Set up the faith of theCross as a trophy against the deniers.Whenyou’regoingtoarguewithunbelieversabouttheCrossofChrist,firstmakethesignofChrist’sCrosswithyourhand—thedenierwillbesilent.

Don’tbeashamedtoconfesstheCross.Angelsgloryinit: theysay,“WeknowthatyouseekJesuswhowascrucified”(Matt.28:5).Angel!Couldn’tyouhavesaid,“Iknowyou seek my Master”? No: he says boldly, “I know that you seek Jesus who wascrucified.”TheCrossisacrown,notadishonor.



Is the Sign of theCross a regular part ofmy life?Or am I sometimes ashamed toacknowledgeinpublicthesignthattheangelsgloryin?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holy angels, the sign ofChrist’s crucifixion is your glory. Teachme tomake itmygloryaswell,sothatImayneverbeashamedtoacknowledgeJesuswhowascrucified.

Redeemedfromthedevilandhisangels

In St. Augustine’s time, the Roman Empire was crumbling, and barbarian attacksweretheworstfearofeverycivilizedfamily.(Later,St.AugustinehimselfwoulddieastheVandalsweredestroyinghisowncity.)ButChrist,hesays,redeemedusfromafarworsedangerthanbarbariancaptivity.

Brethren,iftheancientprophets,ourfathers,sighedaftertheJerusalemaboveevenbefore theLordJesusChristcamein theflesh,beforeherosefromthedead, thinkhowmuchweoughttolongfortheplacetowhichhehasgonebeforeus,andwhichheneverleft.FortheLorddidnotcometousinsuchawaythathelefttheangels.Hebothstayedforthemandcametous.Forthemheremainedinmajesty;forushecameintheflesh.

Butwherewerewe?Ifhe isourRedeemer, thenwewereheldcaptives.Butwherewere we held, that he should come to redeem us as captives? Were we held amongbarbarians?

No,worsethananybarbariansarethedevilandhisangels.Beforeourtime,theyhadpossessionofthehumanrace.Fromthemheredeemedus,givingforusnotgoldorsilver,buthisownblood.



Jesusisstandingbywithmyprice—butamIreadytowalkoutofmycaptivity?OrdoIenjoythecompanyofmydemonstoomuch?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,Irenouncethedevilandallhisemptypromises.Sendyourangelstoprotectme,andguidemetotheperfectredemption.

Noangelwasworthy

InRevelation,anangelholdsascrollandasks,“Who isworthy toopen thescrollandbreakitsseals?”St.VictorinussaysthatthescrollistheOldTestament,andtoopen it is to overcome death—something no angel could do. Only Christ couldaccomplishit.

“AndIsawintherighthandofhimwhowasseatedonthethroneascrollwrittenwithinandontheback,sealedwithsevenseals”(Rev.5:1).Thisbooksignifies theOldTestament,whichhasbeengiven into thehandsofourLordJesusChrist,whoreceivedjudgmentfromtheFather.

“AndIsawastrongangelproclaimingwithaloudvoice,‘Whoisworthytoopenthescrollandbreakitsseals?’AndnooneinHeavenoronEarthorundertheEarthwasabletoopenthescroll”(Rev.5:2-3).

Nowtoopenthescroll is toovercomedeathforhumanity.Therewasnoonefoundworthy to do this—neither among the angels ofHeaven, nor amongmen in Earth, noramongthesoulsofthesaintsinrest.OnlyChristtheSonofGodalonewasworthy,whomhesaysthathesawas“aLambstanding,asthoughithadbeenslain,withsevenhorns”(Rev.5:6).

–St.Victorinus,CommentaryonRevelation


DoIreadtheOldTestament,whicheventheangelscouldnotunseal,inlightoftheNew—withtheknowledgeofhowChristhasopenedthemeaningofit?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, I thank you that you have given us the truth that even the angels inHeavencouldnothaveunsealedwithoutyou.ThoughIammortalwithafrailnature,teachmetobedelightedwiththesweetnessofyouroracles.

Angelscouldnotsetusfree

Though angels have often come to aidGod’s faithful people, says St.Gregory theGreat,theycouldnotredeemusfromsin.OnlyGodhimselfcouldaccomplishthat.

“It(wisdom)cannotbegottenforgold”(Job28:15).

Whatdoes“gold”meanherebuttheholyangels?Theyarecalled“gold”becausetheypersistintheoriginalinnocenceinwhichtheywerecreated.Theyshinewiththebeautyofrighteousness,andtheyarestainedwithnoimpurityofsins—notintheveryleast.

ButnoneoftheangelsweretobesentinplaceofthisWisdomastheRedeemerofthehumanrace.Tokeepusfromplacingourhopeonanyofthoseangels—who,aswehavebeen taught, have often come to our aid—it is said thatwisdom “cannot be gotten forgold.”Thisisasthoughitsaidplainly,“Wisdomitselfwillbemademanifest toredeemhumanityfromsin.”Noangelissentinplaceofhim:thecreaturemustbesetfreebytheCreator.’



ThoughIcanneverequaltheangelshereonearth,doIstrivetoshinewiththebeautyofrighteousness?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,strengthenmewithyourSpirit,andsendyourangelstoprotectme;forItrustnotinmyownrighteousness,butinyourabundantmercy.

TheangelswonderedattherisenChrist

ChristrosetoHeaveninhisglorifiedbody,saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria.Heimagineshowtheangelsmusthavewonderedatthesight:theGodofallcreationappearinginhumanform,withscarsfromthenailsstillinhishands!

Thustheonly-begottenWordofGodreturnedtotheheavens,withthefleshunitedtohim.

HowstrangewasthesightinHeaven!ThethrongofangelsmarveledwhentheysawtheKingofearthandtheLordofmightinaformlikeours.Andtheysaid,“WhoisthisthatcomesfromEdom(meaningfromtheearth)incrimsonedgarmentsfromBozrah?”—theinterpretationofwhichisflesh,asbeinganarrowingandpressing(Isa.63:1).

Thentootheyinquired,“Whatarethesewoundsinthemiddleofyourhands?”

Heanswered,“WiththesewasIwoundedinthehouseofmybeloved.”

Afterhisreturntolifefromthedead,whenheshowedhishandstoThomas(forverygoodreasons),Christtoldhimtohandleboththeprintsofthenails,andtheholesboredinhisside.Inthesameway,whenarrivedinHeaven,hegavefullprooftotheholyangels,that Israel was justly cast out and fallen from being of his family. For this reason, heshowedhisgarmentstainedwithblood,andthewoundsinhishands,andnotasthoughhecouldnotputthemaway;forwhenherosefromthedead,heputoffcorruption,andwithit all itsmarks and attributes: he retained them therefore, that themanifoldwisdom ofGod,whichhewroughtinChrist,mightnowbemadeknownbytheChurch,accordingtotheplanofsalvation,toPrincipalitiesandPowers.



The angels themselves marveled at what Christ had done for the salvation ofhumanity.WhenIseethespectaclefromtheirpointofview,doesithelpmerealizejusthowmuchGodhasdoneforme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Rise,Lord,andletyourenemiesbescattered,andletallwhohateyourholynamebeputtoflight.

TheResurrectionamazedeventheangels

Theangels, says St.Ambrose,were amazedby theResurrection.Even the hosts ofHeaven could not understand the wonderful mystery of our salvation until Christhimselfrevealedit.

Whyshouldwebesurprisedifbytheirworldlywisdommenfailedtocomprehendthemystery ofGod the Father and theLord JesusChrist, inwhom all the treasures ofwisdomandknowledgearehidden (Col.2:3); thatmysterywhichnotevenangelshavebeenabletoknowexceptbyrevelation?

For who could by pure imagination, and not by faith, follow the Lord Jesus, firstdescendingfromthehighestheaventotheshadesbelow,andthenrisingagainfromHadestotheheavenlyplaces;inamomentself-emptied,sothathemightdwellamongus,andyetnevermade less thanhewas, theSonbeingever in theFatherand theFather in theSon?

Angels, too, stood spellbound in wonder at the heavenly mystery. The Lord roseagain,andtheheightsofHeavencouldnotbearthegloryofhisrisingfromthedead.Justnow, as far as his fleshwas concerned, he had been confined in the narrow limits of atomb.Eventheheavenlyhostsdoubtedandwereamazed.ForaConquerorcame,adornedwithwondrous spoils. The Lordwas in his holy Temple. BeforeHimwent angels andarchangels,marvelingatthepreywrestedfromdeath.



To know themysteries of Christ, even angels have need of Revelation. Do I takeeveryopportunitytoheartherevealedWordofGod—bypayingattentiontothereadingsandthehomilyatMassandbyreadingofteninScripture?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,keeptheloveofGod’swordandmyneedofGod’sRevelationalwaysbeforemyeyes.

AngelsproclaimtheResurrection

ThewomenwhocametothetombwhereJesushadbeenburiedweregrantedavisionofangels.Whyweretheygiventhisprivilege?ItwasbecauseoftheirdeeploveforChrist,saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria.

Thewomencametothesepulcher,andwhentheycouldnotfindthebodyofChrist—forhehadrisen—theyweremuchperplexed.Andwhathappenedthen?ForthesakeoftheirloveforChrist,andtheirearnestzealinit,theywerecountedworthyofseeingholyangels,whoeventoldthemthejoyfultidings,andbecametheheraldsoftheResurrection,saying,“Whydoyouseekthelivingamongthedead?Heisnothere,butisrisen”(Luke24:5).

For the Word of God always lives, and is by his own nature Life: but when hehumbledhimself toemptying,andsubmitted tobemade like tous,he tasteddeath.Butthisproved tobe thedeathofdeath:herosefromthedead, tobe thewaybywhichwereturntoincorruption,ratherthanhimself.

Andletnoonelookamongthedeadforhimwhoalwayslives;forheisnothere—notwithdeath, that is, and in the tomb.Sowhere ishe? InHeaven,plainly,and ingodlikeglory.Andtomakethewomen’sfaithinthesethingsevenfirmer,theangelsrecalltotheirmindswhatChristhadsaid,thathe“mustbedeliveredintothehandsofsinfulmen,andbecrucified,andonthethirddayrise”(Luke24:7).

AngelsbroughtthejoyfultidingsofthenativitytotheshepherdsinBethlehem,andnowtheytellofhisresurrection:andHeavenyieldsitsservicetoproclaimhim,andthehostsofthespiritsaboveattendtheSonasGod,evenwhenhehadbecomeflesh.

–St.CyrilofAlexandria,CommentaryonLuke,FragmentofSermon154


St.CyrilsaysthatthewaytobecountedworthyofseeingangelsisthroughearnestloveforChrist.HowcanIshowmorezealinloveforChrist?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyangelwhoguardedthetombofourLord,holyangelswhoproclaimedhisbirth,helpmetoseethetruthofthesemysteries.Reflecttheminmylifeandrevealtheminmywords.

WhoistheKingofglory?

St.Ambroseimaginesthetwenty-fourthpsalmasthedialogoftheangelswhenChristrose from the dead. He points out that even angels, though they possess greatknowledge,canadvancestepbystepjustaswedo.

WhentheangelssawtheLordofallapproaching,thefirstandonlyVanquisherofdeath,theytoldtheirleaderstoliftupthegates,sayinginadoration,“Liftupyourheads,Ogates!andbeliftedup,Oancientdoors!thattheKingofglorymaycomein”(Ps.24:7).

Yet there were still, even among the hosts of Heaven, some that were amazed,overcomewithastonishmentatsuchpompandgloryastheyhadneveryetseen.Sotheyasked,“WhoistheKingofglory?”(Ps.24:8).Butsincetheangels,likeus,acquiretheirknowledge step by step, and are capable of advancement, they certainly must showdifferences of power and understanding. ForGod alone is above and beyond the limitsimposedbygradualadvance,sincehepossesseseveryperfectionfromeverlasting.

Thenothers—namelythosewhohadbeenpresentathisResurrection,thosewhohadseenorwhoalreadyrecognizedhim—answered,“TheLord,strongandmighty,theLord,mightyinbattle!”(Ps.24:8).

Then,again,sangthemultitudeofangels,intriumphalchorus,“Liftupyourheads,Ogates!andbeliftedup,Oancientdoors!thattheKingofglorymaycomein”(Ps.24:9).



Eventheangelscangrowinwisdomandunderstanding.DoItryashardasIshouldtokeepgrowinginunderstandingofChrist’struth?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,guidemeandteachme,sothatImaygrowdailyinunderstanding,evenasourangelsdoinHeaven.

TheangelsannouncetheAscension

Angels tell the gaping disciples that “this Jesus” has been taken intoHeaven. St.AugustinesaysthattheangelsareemphasizingthatitistheverysameJesuswhosebodytheysawbrokenontheCrossandburiedinthetomb—thesameJesuswhowillcomeagain,butwho,eveninHeaven,isalwayswiththem.

“Godhasgoneupwithashout,theLordwiththesoundofatrumpet”(Ps.46:5).

Thediscipleswonderedin joy,seeinghimwhosedeaththeyhadmournedgoingupintoHeaven.

AngelspreachedtheAscensionoftheLord.TheysawthediscipleswhentheirLordascended,lingeringinwonder,confused,sayingnothingbutrejoicingintheirhearts,andthencamethesoundofthetrumpet,theclearvoiceoftheangels:“MenofGalilee,whydoyoustandlookingintoHeaven?ThisJesus…”(Acts1:11)—asiftheydidn’tknowitwasthe same Jesus. Hadn’t they just seen him in front of them? Hadn’t they heard himspeakingwith them? In fact, they didn’t just see himwith them: they had touched hisarms.Sodidn’ttheyknowbythemselvesthatitwasthesameJesus?

Buttheywereoutoftheirmindswithwonderandjoyouscelebration;andthat’swhytheangelsspecificallysaid“thisJesus.”Itwasasiftheyweresaying,“Ifyoubelievehim,this is the same Jesuswhowas crucified, and your feet stumbled—whowas dead andburied,andyouthoughtyourhopewaslost.ThisisthesameJesus.Hehasgoneupbeforeyou.HewillcomeinthesamewayyouhaveseenhimgointoHeaven.Hisbodyistakenawayfromyoursight,it’strue,butGodisnotseparatedfromyourhearts.Seehimgoingup.Believe inhimwhenhe isn’there.Hopeforhiscoming.Butyet, throughhissecretmercy,feelhimpresent.ForalthoughheascendedintoHeavenandwastakenawayfromyoursight,yethepromisedyou,“Lo,Iamwithyoualways,tothecloseoftheage”(Matt.28:20).



DoIgototheangelsforhelpinunderstandingthemysteriesofChrist’slife?DoIaskmyguardianangeltoaccompanymeasIpraytherosaryorreadtheScriptures?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelofGod,openmyeyes,thatImayseetheLord’smysteriesasyoudo.

Angelsannouncedthefirstandsecondcoming

Angels announced the first coming of Christ in the Incarnation, says St. Leo theGreat,andangelshaveforetoldthesecondcomingaswell—sothatwewouldknowwhatpowerChristwouldcomewith.

Butwhenthedisciples’eyes,turnedupinearnestwonder,hadfollowedtheLordascendingintoHeaven,twoangelsstoodbytheminrobesshiningwithbrightness,saying,“MenofGalilee,whydoyoustandlookingintoHeaven?ThisJesus,whowastakenupfromyouintoHeaven,willcomeinthesamewayasyousawhimgointoHeaven”(Acts1:11).

Bythosewords,allthechildrenoftheChurchweretaughttobelievethatJesusChristwill come visibly in the same fleshwith which he ascended, and not to doubt that allthings are subject to him, when the ministry of angels had waited on him from thebeginningofhisbirth.

AnangelannouncedtotheBlessedVirginthatChristwouldbeconceivedbytheHolySpirit.Thevoiceofheavenlybeingssangofhisbirthtotheshepherds.Messengersfromabovewerethefirsttotellthathehadbeenraisedfromthedead.Finally,theangelsweresent to foretellhis coming in the flesh to judge theworld, so thatwemightunderstandwhatgreat powerswill comewithhimwhenhe comesas Judge,when suchgreat onesministeredtohimevenwhenhewasbeingjudged.

–St.LeotheGreat,Sermon74,4


AmIreadytohearSt.Gabrielblowhistrumpet?IftheJudgmentwerescheduledforthistimetomorrow,whatwouldIdointhenexttwenty-fourhourstogetready?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, when your angels once more announce the Judgment, do not deal with meaccordingtomysins,butaccordingtoyourmercy.

Angelscan’tunderstandthemysteriesofsalvation

St.Ephrem theSyrian imagines theangels lookingall over forGod theSon.TheylookforhiminHeaven,andfindhimonearth—buttheylookforhimonearth,andfindhiminHeaven.

Itisnotonlyforweakbeingsthatthesightofyouistoogreat,orthesearchingoutof you is concealed. The senses of the body, since they stand in somuch need of thesensesinourinmostimagination,donotgraspeventhesmallestthingstheylookfor.

Letus thenask theangelsnearyourgate.Thoughtheangelsstandbeforeyouwithpraises,yettheydonotknowwhichwaytolooktoseeyou.Theysoughtyouaboveintheheight; they sawyou in thedepth.They looked foryou inHeaven, and sawyou in thedeep.TheylookedforyouwiththeWorshipfulOne,andfoundyouamongthecreatures.Theycamedowntoyouandgavepraise.

Whentheylookedintohowyouhadappearedamongcreatedthings,theycouldnotunderstandastheyranupanddownwheretostoplookingforyou.Fortheysawyouinthedepth,andtheysawyouonhigh.Theysawyouinthetomb,dead,andtheyfoundyouaRaiserofthedead.Theywereamazed;theywereastonished;theyhadnostrengthleft.



Where do I look for Christ? Do I remember to look in the depths as well as theheights—evenastheangelshadtolearn?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GloriousHiddenOne,evenyoursmallestmysteryisafountainofmysteries!Asyoutaught your angels, teachme to look downward aswell as upward and find you in thehumblestofyourcreatures.

Aglorioussubjection

All things are made subject to Christ—but what kind of subjection is this? Notignobleslavery,saysSt.Ambrose,butagloriousserviceoftheGood.Wearesubjectthewaytheangelsaresubject.

Are not all things now subject to him? Are not the choirs of the saints madesubject?Arenot theangels,whoministeredtohimwhenontheearth(Matt.4:11)?ArenottheArchangelswhoweresenttoMarytoforetellthecomingoftheLord?Arenotalltheheavenlyhosts?ArenottheCherubimandSeraphim,arenotThronesandDominionsandPowersthatworshipandpraisehim?

Buthowaretheybroughtintosubjection?InthewaythattheLordhimselfhassaid:“Takemyyokeuponyou” (Matt.11:29). It isnot the fiercewhobear theyoke,but thehumbleandthegentle.Thisclearlyisnodegradingsubjectionforus,butagloriousone:“thatatthenameofJesuseverykneeshouldbow,inHeavenandonEarthandundertheEarth,andeverytongueconfessthatJesusChristisLord,tothegloryofGodtheFather”(Phil.2:10-11).



Do I take on Christ’s glorious subjectionwillingly, like the good angels?Or am Istrainingattheyoke,likethedevilandhisangels,stilltryingtohavemyownway?

CLOSINGPRAYER

St.MichaeltheArchangel,teachmetosay,asyousaid,“Iwillserve.”

Onlythetruthcanconquer

Angels don’t lie, says St. Ephrem the Syrian. Themessage they bring fromGod istrue.AndthemessagewereadintheGospelistrue.Ifitwerenot,itcouldnothavebeenestablishedallovertheworld.

WhydidGabrielnotdeceiveDanielandsaythathewasGod(Dan.8:17)?WhydidtheSeraphnotdeceiveIsaiahandsaythathewastheSonofGod(Isa.6:6)?

Becausehewasanangel,hedidnotlie.

TheApostlespeakstrulyanddidnotdeceiveus.HeassertedandrevealedthatChristwasgreaterthanall.

HearwhatIsay:Ifthiswerenotthetruth,itwouldhavebeenrefutedandcometoanend.Only the truthcan increase in theeast,andspread to thewest,and layholdon thenorth, and clasp the south. Into the depth itwent down and conquered. Itwent up anddweltonhigh.



DoImakearealefforttobeastruthfulastheangelsofHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,guardmefromfalsehoodatalltimes,andteachmetolovetruthasyoudo.

AngelssawChristintheflesh

Theodoret of Cyrus imagines a dialogue between Orthodoxos, the champion oforthodox Christianity, and Eranistes, whose name we might translate as“Mishmash,”becausehetakeshisopinionsfromall theheresies,andexplainsthatangelscannotseeGoddirectly,butwhenChristrosetheydidseehimintheflesh.

Eranistes: Then the substance of Godwas not seen by those who beheld thoserevelations?

Orthodoxos:No!Whoismadenoughtodaretosayso?

Eranistes:Yetitissaidthattheysaw.

Orthodoxos: Yes, it is said; but using reverent reason, and relying on the divineScriptures,whichexclaimdistinctly,“NoonehaseverseenGod”(John1:18),wesaythattheydidnotseethedivineNature,butcertainvisionsadaptedtotheircapacity.

Eranistes:Thatiswhatwesay.

Orthodoxos:Andweshouldunderstand thesame thingof theangelswhenwehearthat they“alwaysbehold thefaceofmyFather”(Matt.18:10).What theysee isnot thedivine substance—which cannot be circumscribed, comprehended, or understood, andwhichembracestheuniverse—butsomeglorymadecomparablewiththeirnature.

Eranistes:Weacknowledgethat.

Orthodoxos:AftertheIncarnation,however,hewasseenalsobyangels,asthedivineApostlesays—not,however,bysimilitudeofglory,butusingthetrueandlivingcoveringof the flesh as akindof screen. “God,” says theApostle, “wasmanifested in the flesh,vindicatedintheSpirit,seenbyangels”(1Tim.3:16).

–TheodoretofCyrus,Dialogue1


AngelssawChristinthefleshaftertheIncarnation.WheredoIlooktoseeChristinthefleshtoday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,yousawChristinthefleshwhenhecametousintheIncarnation.Teach me to recognize Christ in the flesh in the poor, the sick, and the distressedeverywhere.

Aprayerforhelpfromtheangels

St. Gildas the Wise lived in the time after the legendary King Arthur, whenbarbariansweredestroyinghisnativeBritain.HerehepraysGodtosendhimhelpfromalltheangels.

Help,unityoftrinity,

havepity,trinityofunity;

Helpme,Ipray,thusplaced

asintheperilofagreatsea,

Sothattheplagueofthisyear

willnotdrawmewithit,northevanityoftheworld.

AndthisveryprayerImaketothehigh

powersoftheheavenlywarfare,

thattheywillnotleavemetobeharriedbyenemies,

butdefendmewiththeirstrongarmor;

thatbeforemeinthebattlewillgo

thosearmiesoftheheavenlywarfare,

CherubimandSeraphimwiththeirthousands,

GabrielandMichaelwithlikeones.

MayThrones,Powers,Archangels,

Principalities,Dominions,Angels,

defendmewiththeirthickarray,

andbestrongtooverthrowmyenemies.

–St.GildastheWise,Lorica


Whentroublessurroundme,doIrememberthatGodhasanarmyofangelsreadytohelpmeifIaskfortheirhelp?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MayChristmakewithmea strong covenant, hewhose terror scaresaway the foulthrongs.

Knowyourangels

AveryearlyChristianwriting,TheShepherdofHermas,givesusthefamousimageof the good and bad angels competing for our attention. In a vision, a gloriousshepherdexplainstotheauthorthatyoucantelltheangelsapartbythesuggestionstheygiveyou.

“Hearnow,”hesaid,“aboutfaith.Therearetwoangelswitheachperson—oneofrighteousness,andtheotherofwickedness.”

AndIsaidtohim,“How,sir,amItoknowthepowersofthese?Forbothangelslivewithme.”

“Hear,” he said, “and understand them. The angel of righteousness is gentle andmodest,meekandpeaceful.Sowhenhecomes intoyourheart, immediatelyhe talks toyou of righteousness, purity, chastity, contentment, and of every righteous deed andgloriousvirtue.Whenallthesecomeintoyourheart,knowthattheangelofrighteousnessiswithyou.Theseare thedeedsof theangelof righteousness.Trusthim, then, andhisworks.

“Nowlookattheworksoftheangelofwickedness.First,heisangry,andbitter,andfoolish,andhisworksareevil,andruintheservantsofGod.Sowhenhecomesintoyourheart,knowhimbyhisworks.”

AndIsaidtohim,“How,sir,Ishallperceivehim?Idonotknow.”

“Hearandunderstand,”hesaid.“Whenangercomesuponyou,orharshness,knowthathe is inyou; andyouwill alsoknow thathe is inyouwhenyouareattackedbyalonging for many business deals, and the richest delicacies, and drunken revels, andvariousluxuries,andimproperthings,andbyalustforwomen,andbyoverreaching,andpride, and blustering, and bywhatever is like these.When these come into your heart,knowthattheangelofwickednessisinyou.

“These,then,aretheactionsofbothangels.Understandthem,andtrusttheangelofrighteousness; but go away from the angel of iniquity, becausehis instruction is bad ineverydeed.”

–TheShepherdofHermas,book2,commandment8


AmIawareatalltimesthatmylifeisinfluencedbybothgoodandevilspirits?DoIprayforthegiftofdiscernmentofspirits?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MyGuardianAngel,fortifymyweaknessandshieldmefromthemanytemptationsoftheevilone.

We’resurroundedbyprotectionwecan’tsee

DuringatensetimeinMilan,St.AmbroseremindshisflockofastoryfromtheOldTestament. The king of Syria wanted to attack Israel, and decided to silence thepowerfulprophetElishafirst.Elisha’sservantfearedthearmycomingagainstthem,butElishashowedhimtheangelichostsarrayedfortheirprotection.

Nowhere’sanexamplefromtheOldTestament.

ElishawasbeingpursuedbythekingofSyria,whosentanarmytocapturehim.Hewassurroundedoneveryside.Hisservantstartedtobeafraid,becausehewasaservant—thatis,hismindwasn’tfree,andhedidn’thavethefreedomtodohisownwill.

Theholyprophet prayed that his eyesmightbeopened, and said, “Look!Seehowmanymoreareonoursidethanontheirs!”Andhelookedupandsawthousandsofangels(2Kings6:12-17).

So, as you see, the servants of Christ are protected by invisible beings rather thanvisibleones.Andwhentheysurroundyouwiththeirprotection,it’syourprayersthathavecalledthemtoprotectyou.Foryou’vereadthatthosemenwhocamelookingforElisha,when theyenteredSamaria, found theveryman theywanted tocapture—yet theywerenotabletohurthimatall.Instead,theyweresavedbytheverymantheycamefor.

–St.Ambrose,SermonAgainstAuxentiusontheGivingUpoftheBasilicas,11


DoIhavethefaithtotrustintheministryoftheangels,evenwhenIcan’tseeitatwork?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,givemeeyestoseethepowersyouhaveplacedatmyservice.

Martyrslikealegionofangels

InaverydangeroustimefororthodoxChristiansandthewholeRomanEmpire,St.Ambroseremindsusthatwealwayshavehelperstoprotectus.JustasElishacouldcountonalegionofangels,wehavethelegionsofthemartyrsonourside.

Thanksbetoyou,LordJesus,thatatthistime,whenyourChurchrequiresgreaterguardianship,youhaveraisedupforusthespiritsoftheholymartyrs.

LetallbewellawarewhatkindofchampionsIwant:thekindwhoactasprotectors,notassailants.ThesearetheonesIhaveobtainedforyou,holypeople—abenefit toall,andahurttonone.ThesearethedefendersIwant;thesearemysoldiers—nottheworld’ssoldiers,butChrist’s.Letthemcome,then,andseemybodyguard:Idon’tdenythatIamsurroundedbysuchweaponsas these.“Someboastofchariots,andsomeofhorses;butweboastofthenameoftheLordourGod”(Ps.20:7).

ThelessonfromHolyScripturerelateshowElisha,whensurroundedbythearmyoftheSyrians, toldhis trembling servant not to fear, “for thosewhoarewithus aremorethanthosewhoarewiththem”(2Kings6:16).AndinordertoconvinceGehaziofthis,heprayedthathiseyesmightbeopened,andwhenthiswasdonehesawacountlesshostofangelspresentwiththeprophet.

Andwe’reconsciousoftheirpresence,thoughwedon’tseethem.Oureyeswerekeptclosed,aslongasthebodiesofthesaintslayhidintheirgraves.NowGodhasopenedoureyes,andwehaveseentheaidswhichhadsooftenhelpedus.Before,wedidn’tseethem,althoughwedidhavethem.

Andso, as though theLord said toour tremblinghearts, “Seewhatgreatmartyrs Ihave given you,” just so, “We all,with unveiled face,” are “beholding the glory of theLord”(2Cor.3:18).Asfarasthesufferingofthemartyrsisconcerned,it’spast;asfarastheirworkingforusgoes,it’spresent.



DoIstrivetoimitatetheholymartyrs?And,inthespiritofAmbrose,doIprayforangelicprotectionevenformyenemies?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father, I joinmyprayerswith theprayersof theholyangelsandall the saints foreverysoulintribulationanddistress.

Everyonehasaguardianangel

Evenchildrenofadultery,saysoneof thecharacters inSt.Methodius’sBanquetoftheTenVirgins, have guardian angels caring for them, because, as human beings,theyare“copiesandlivingpicturesofChrist.”

Naturecouldnotaccomplishsuchagreatworkinsuchalittletimewithoutdivinehelp.Whogavethebonestheirfixednature?Whoboundthesoftmemberswithmuscles,to be extended and relaxed at the joints?Whomade channels for the blood, and a softwindpipe for thebreath?Whatother god couldhavemade thehumors ferment,mixingthemwith blood and forming the soft flesh out of the earth?No one but the SupremeArtist,whomakesushuman, the rational and living imageofhimself.He forms it likewaxinthewombfromatinymoistseed.

Bywhoseprovidenceisitthatthefetusisnotdrownedwhenshutupintheconnectedvessels?Andafteritisbroughtforthintothelight,whochangesitfromaweak,tinythingtosize,beauty,andstrength?AsIsaid, itcanonlybeGod, theSupremeArtist,makingcopiesandlivingpicturesofChristbyhiscreativepower.

This is why the inspired Scriptures tell us that even those who are begotten byadulteryarecommittedtoguardianangels.

–St.Methodius,BanquetoftheTenVirgins,2.6


If I have to deal with someone I don’t like, have I tried praying to that person’sguardianangel?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Blessedguardianangels, spreadyourwingsoverallwhoneedyourcare,and leadthemsafelytorestintheLord.

Whendowegetguardianangels?

Origen, one of theChurch’s earliest theologians, tries towork out the truth aboutguardian angels. When are they assigned to us? He finds several passages inScripturethatseemtoindicatewehavethemfrombirth.

We might ask at what time those who are called “their angels” assumeguardianshipofthelittleonespointedoutbyChrist.Didtheyreceivethiscommissiontodischarge concerning them,when, by “thewashing of regeneration” (Tit. 3:5), throughwhich theywerebornasnew-bornbabes, they“longfor thepurespiritualmilk”(1Pet.2:2)whichiswithoutguile,andnolongerareinsubjectiontoanywickedpower?Orwerethey appointed from birth, according to the foreknowledge and predestination of God,overthosewhomGodalsoforeknew,andforeordainedtobeconformedtothegloryoftheChrist?(Rom.8:29).

Withreferencetotheviewthattheyhaveangelsfrombirth,wemightquote,“hewhohadsetmeapartbeforeIwasborn”(Gal.1:15),and“UpontheeIhaveleanedfrommybirth,” and “you are hewho tookme frommymother’swomb” (Ps. 71:6), and, in theepistleofJude,“TothemthatarebelovedinGodtheFatherandarekeptforJesusChrist,beingcalled”(Jude1)—“kept”meaningkeptcompletelybytheangelswhokeepthem.

–Origen,CommentaryonMatthew,13.27


Have I cultivated a real relationshipwithmyguardian angel,whoknowsmemoreintimatelythananyoneinmyfamily?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,staynearme,andattheendofmylifedelivermysoulsothat,withyou,ImaypraisethegoodnessofGodforever.

Angelsguidetheunbornchild

Even Roman superstition, says Tertullian, admitted that the unborn child was ahumanbeing—otherwisewhywouldallthosemythicalgoddesseshavebeenassignedtoguide the embryo?Christians know that thedeveloping fetus is a livinghuman,andTertullianbelievesthattheangelsguideitsdevelopment.

Nowtheentireprocessofsowing,forming,andcompletingthehumanembryointhewombisnodoubtregulatedbysomepower,whichinallthisservesthewillofGod,whatevermaybethemethodwhichitisappointedtoemploy.

Even the superstitionofRome,bycarefully attending to thesepoints, imagined thegoddess“Alemona”tonourishthefetusinthewomb;aswellas“Nona”and“Decima,”called after the most critical months of gestation; and “Partula,” to manage and directparturition;and“Lucina,”tobringthechildtothebirthandlightofday.

We,onourpart,believethattheangelsdothisworkforGod.Theembryothereforebecomesahumanbeinginthewombfromthemomentthatitsformiscompleted.ThelawofMoses,indeed,punisheswithduepenaltiesthemanwhoshallcauseabortion,inasmuchasthereexistsalreadytherudimentofahumanbeing,whichhasimputedtoitevennowtheconditionoflifeanddeath,sinceitisalreadyliabletotheissuesofboth,although,bylivingstillinthemother,itforthemostpartsharesitsownstatewiththemother.

–Tertullian,TreatiseontheSoul,37


IstheresomethingIcouldbedoingtohelptheangelsintheirmissionofprotectingunbornchildren?Aretherepregnantmotherswhoneedhelpinmycommunity?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, send your angels to protect all your children, and grant their parents thestrengthtocareforyourpreciouscreation.

Onlythevirtuousearnangelguides

Lazarus,thepoormaninJesus’parable(Luke16:19-31)nevercursedhisevilfateorblamed God for the unfairness of life. How do we know? Because, says St. JohnChrysostom,attheendofhislifeheearnedanhonorguardofangels.

But the poor man who was left at his gate didn’t grieve, or blaspheme, orcomplain.Hedidn’tsaytohimself,asmanydo,“Whyisthishappeningtome?Thismanliving in wickedness and cruelty and inhumanity enjoys far more than he needs, andenduresnotroublenoranyoftheunexpectedreversesthatoftenhappeninhumanaffairs.Heenjoysunmixedpleasure,whileIdon’tevenhaveachancetogetthefoodIneed.Tothisman,whosquandersallhissubstanceonparasitesandflatterersandwine—tohimallgoodthingsflowlikeariver;whileIliveasanobjecttobestaredat—anobjectofshameand derision. I’m starving to death. Is this Providence?Does Justice really rule humanaffairs?”

Hedidn’tsayanyofthesethings,nordidhehavetheminhismind.Howdoweknowthat?Fromthefactthatguardianangelssurroundedhimathisdeath,andborehimawaytoAbraham’sbosom.Ifhehadbeenablasphemer,hewouldn’thavegainedthisglory.

Somost peoplewonder at thismanmerely because of his poverty; but I go on toshowthatheenduredtheseninefoldafflictions,notforpunishment,butsothathemightbecomemoreglorious.Andthat’sexactlywhathappened.



When life really seemsunfair, do I have the strength to trust thatGod’s angels areguidingmeaccordingtothedivineplan?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LordJesusChrist,youvoluntarilyenduredyourlife-givingdeathontheCross.Grantmepatiencetoendurethisbrieflifesothatyourangelsmaysurroundmeatmydeathandbearmeawaytoyou.

Angelshearourprayers

Why do we pray when God already knows what we need? Perhaps, says St.Augustine,wepraysothattheangelscanreceivetheirinstructionsaboutus.

WhentheApostlesays,“letyourrequestsbemadeknowntoGod”(Phil.4:6),weshouldnotthinkthismeansthat,whenwedoso,theybecomeknowntoGod.Hecertainlyknew them before we spoke them. But we should understand it in this sense: that ourrequestsaretobemadeknowntoourselvesinthepresenceofGodbypatientwaitingonhim,notinthepresenceofotherpeoplebypretentiousworship.

Or perhaps so that they might also be made known to the angels that are in thepresenceofGod,sothatthesebeingsmayinsomewaypresentthemtoGod,andconsulthimaboutthem,andeitheropenlyorsecretlybringuswhattheyhavelearnedishiswillby listening tohis commandment—for theymust fulfill hiswill according towhat theyhavelearnedthereistheirduty.FortheangelsaidtoTobias,“Andso,whenyouandyourdaughter-in-lawSarahprayed,IbroughtareminderofyourprayerbeforetheHolyOne”(Tob.12:12).



How much of my prayer is pretentious worship, and how much is really patientwaitingonGod?DoIpraytobeheardbyangels,ortobeheardbyotherpeople?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Faithfulspiritswhoalwaysadorethedivinity,teachmetolove,sothatonedayImayjoinyouinHeavenforalleternity.

Whenangelshearus,Godhearsusinthem

Goddoesworkmiracles,St.Augustinesays,butallaccordingtohisunchangingwill.WecanlookateverythingthathappensasamiracleofGod.Andwheneverwepraytotheangels,it’sGodworkingintheangelswhohearsourprayers.

Althoughwedon’tusuallythinkaboutthestandingmiracleofthisvisibleworld,becauseit’salwaysinfrontofus,yet,whenwestarttothinkaboutit,it’sagreatermiraclethan the rarest andmostunheard-ofmarvels.Manhimself is agreatermiracle thananymiracledonebymeansofman.

Therefore God, whomade the visible heaven and earth, does not disdain to workvisible miracles in heaven or earth, so that through them he may awaken the soulimmersedinvisiblethingstoworshiphim,theInvisible.Buttheplaceandtimeofthesemiraclesdependonhisunchangeablewill, inwhich future thingsareorderedas if theywere already accomplished. For he moves temporal things without himself moving intime.Hedoesnotseethefutureonewayandthepastinadifferentway.Nordoeshelistentothosewhoareprayingnowdifferentlyfromthewayheseesthosewhowillpray.Forevenwhenhisangelshearus, it isGodhimselfwhohearsusinthem,ashedoesinhistruetemplenotmadewithhands,ashedoesinthosepeoplewhoarehissaints.Andhisanswers,thoughtheyhappenintime,havebeenarrangedbyhiseternaldecision.



DoItrustthatGodhasaplanforme,andthatmyangelknowsthatplan?DoIgotomy guardian angel, so that Imaywalk the sure pathsGod has arranged forme in hisprovidencesincethebeginningoftime?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,byyourGod-givenpower,youcansearchmyheartandknowme.Helpme form the prayers inmy heart, and joinme in those prayers, that theymay bepleasingtoGod,andImaydohiswill.

Angelsvisitwhenyou’realone

SulpitiusSeverusvisitedtheholyhermitsofthedesertinEgypt.Theytoldhimastoryofoneparticularhermitwhowassointentonhisdevotionthatheneverallowedanyhumanvisitorsatall.Hetoldtheonemanwhohadvisitedhiminallthoseyears,thatifyouarefrequentlyvisitedbymortals,theangelswon’tvisityou.

IvisitedtwomonasteriesofSt.Anthony,whichareatthepresentdayoccupiedbyhis disciples. I alsowent to that place inwhich themost blessed Paul, the first of thehermits,hadhisabode.IsawtheRedSeaandtheridgesofMountSinai,thetopofwhichalmosttouchesheaven,andcannotbereachedbyanyhumaneffort.

Theysaidthatananchoritewaslivingsomewherewithinitsrecesses.Itriedveryhardtoseehimforalongtime,butIcouldn’t.Hehadbeenremovedfromallhumanfellowshipfornearlyfiftyyears,andworenoclothes,butwascoveredwithbristlesgrowingonhisownbody—though,bydivinegift,hedidn’tknowofhisownnakedness.Thoughpiousmen often wanted to visit him, rushing into the pathless wilderness, he shunned allmeetingwithhiskind.

AboutfiveyearsbeforeIgotthere,theysaid,hehadgrantedaninterviewtoonlyoneman;andIbelievethatmanobtainedthefavorthroughthepowerofhisfaith.Thetwoofthemtalkedtogetherforquiteawhile.Theysaidthatwhenthemanaskedwhyheshunnedallhumancontactsocarefully,therecluserepliedthatthemanwhowasfrequentlyvisitedbymortalslikehimselfcouldnotoftenbevisitedbyangels.Fromthis,notwithoutreason,thereporthadspread,andwasacceptedbymultitudes,thatthatholymanenjoyedangelicfellowship.

–SulpitiusSeverus,Dialogue1,17


Do I find enough opportunities to be alone for prayer and contemplation? Do Iacknowledgethepresenceofmyangel?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,may I know peace through your companionship.May I praywellthroughyourinstruction.

Insolitude,butnotalone

St. Ambrose recognizes that, when he seems to be completely alone, he is neveralone.Mary was visited by an angel when she was alone, and when we read theScripturesGodwalkswithusinparadise.

Sinceyoualsotakepleasureinreceivingmyletters,bymeansofwhich,althoughseparatedfromeachother,wediscoursetogetherasifpresent,Iwillforthefuturemorefrequentlyconversewithyouby letterwhenIamalone.For Iamnever lessalone thanwhen I seem tobe so,nor ever less at leisure than in the intervalsof labor.Then I cansummonanyoneIwish,andvisitwithwhoeverIlovemostorfindmostsympathetic;noone interruptsor intrudesuponus.That’swhen I feel closer toyou, andwhen I conferwithyouintheScriptures,andwhenweconversetogethermoreatlength.

Marywasalonewhenaddressedbytheangel,alonewhentheHolySpiritcameuponher,andthepoweroftheMostHighovershadowedher.Shewasalonewhensheeffectedthesalvationoftheworld,andconceivedtheRedemptionoftheuniverse.PeterwasalonewhenthemysteryofthesanctificationoftheGentilesallovertheworldwasmadeknownto him.WhenAdamwas alone, he didn’t fall, because hismind stayedwithGod.Butwhen the woman was joined to him, he lost his power of sticking with the heavenlyprecepts,andthereforehehidhimselfwhenGodwalkedinParadise.

Andevennow,whileIreadthesacredScriptures,GodwalksinParadise.ThebookofGenesis,inwhichthevirtuesofthePatriarchssprout,isParadise;Deuteronomy,inwhichtheprecepts of theLawgrow, is alsoParadise,where the tree of life brings forth goodfruit,anddiffusesoverallnationsthepreceptsofeternalhope.

–St.Ambrose,Letter49


When I have time to myself, do I turn to my angel and read Scripture with thisdivinelyappointedsupernaturalhelp?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyAngel,God’smessengerandmyguardian,keepthedivineWordinmymind,inmyheart,andonmylipsallthedaysofmylife.

TheLordalwaysdelivers

TheLordsentanangeltorescuePeterfromprison.Thenwhydidn’thesendanangeltorescuehimfrombeingcrucified?NotbecausetheLordfailedtodeliverhim,saysSt.Augustine,butbecausethedeliverywasevenmorecomplete.

Fearnot:onlydowhathecommands;andiftheLorddoesnotdeliveryoubodily,hewilldeliveryouspiritually.

HedeliveredPeter,whentheangelcametohiminprison,andsaid,“Getupquickly”(Acts 12:7)—and suddenly his chainswere loosed, and he followed the angel, and theLorddeliveredhim.

HadPeterlostrighteousnesswhenhedidnotdeliverhimfromthecross?

But didn’t he deliver him then?Yes, even then he delivered him.Did his long lifemakePeterunrighteous?PerhapsPeterheardhimmoreatlastthanatfirst,whentrulyhedeliveredhimoutof allhis troubles.Forwhen theLord firstdeliveredhim,howmanythingshehadtosufferafterwards!Butatlasthesenthimwherehecouldsuffernoevil.



Whenbadthingshappentome,doItrustthatGodisstillplanningmysalvation?DoIrecognizethathealwayssendshisangelstogivemewhatIneed—evenwhenthat’snotwhatIwant?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Bytheministryofyourangels,delivermefrommytroubles,Lord,anddriveawaythespiritofweaknessinme.

Godactsintheangels

WhetherGodactsdirectlyorthroughtheangels,saysSt.Augustine,itisGodacting.AnangeldoesGod’swill;andeventhoughwecannotseeGoddirectly,wecanseeGodactinginanycreatedbeingthatdoesGod’swill.

ThefathersoftheNewTestamentsawyourmysteriesrevealed,andtheypreachedthesecretthingsrevealedtothem.Nevertheless,theysaidthattheythemselvessawonlythroughaglass,darkly,butthatseeingfacetofaceisreservedtoafuturetime,whenwhatthe Apostle himself speaks of has come (1 Cor. 13:12). “When Christ who is our lifeappears,thenyoualsowillappearwithhiminglory”(Col.3:4)

Seeingfacetofaceisreservedforthattime,ofwhichJohnalsospeaks:“Beloved,weareGod’schildrennow;itdoesnotyetappearwhatweshallbe,butweknowthatwhenheappearsweshallbelikehim,forweshallseehimasheis”(1John3:2).

Soalthoughthenourancestorsdidnotseeyouasyouare,facetoface—althoughthatvisionisreserveduntiltheresurrection—yet,eventhoughtheywereangelswhopresentedthemselves,itisyouwho“ordainvictoriesforJacob”(Ps.44:4).Youarenotonlypresentby your own Self; but when you appear in any created beings, you are the one whocommandsby them.Whetheryoudo ityourself foryourservants’salvation,orwhethertheydoitbecauseyoucommandit,itisyourdoing.



Do I respectGod’swisdomas he uses the things of creation tomediate himself tome?DoIaccepttheproperplacehehasgiventheangelsinmylife?

CLOSINGPRAYER

In whatever I do, Lord, make me an instrument of your will, so that others canrecognizetheministryofyourangelsinmylife.

Remembertheangelsthatsurroundyou

Angels are literally everywhere, says St. Hilary of Poitiers—even within us.Wheneverwe’re tempted towardevil,we should remember that therearewitnesseswhowillknowwhatwedoandbeashamedofusifwedowrong.

Everything is filled with the angels of God, even if it seems empty. There’snowheretheydon’tliveastheygoarounddoingtheirservice.

Peopleareoftendeterredfromcommittingsomesinthey’vebeenthinkingofbecausethey’reafraid someonemightcomebacksuddenly.ButhowshouldChristiansact—andnot just act, but even think and wish—when we remember that a number of spiritualpowers live in every part of us? When some evil desire overcomes us, shouldn’t wetrembleatthepresenceofallthechoirsofangelssurroundingus?

–St.HilaryofPoitiers,HomilyonPsalm118


Doestheknowledgethatmultitudesofangelssurroundme—andevenlivewithinme—helpmedealwiththetemptationsIfaceeveryday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelsofGod,keepmeinmindofyourpresencethroughouttheday,especiallywhenIcomefacetofacewithtemptation.

WhoeverisholypushesusontoGod

Our happiness will never be found in another person or in an angel, says St.Augustine.Proudangelsandproudpeoplewillbeglad tohaveusputourhope inthem,butthetrulyholypushusforwardtowardGod.

Forifwefindourhappinesscompleteinoneanother,westopshortalongtheroad,andplaceourhopeofhappinessinapersonoranangel.

Nowtheproudpersonandtheproudangelarrogatethistothemselves,andaregladtohavethehopeofothersfixeduponthem.But,onthecontrary,theholymanandtheholyangel, even when we are weary and anxious to stay with them and rest in them, setthemselvestobuildupourenergieswiththeprovisiontheyhavereceivedfromGodforusorforthemselves;andthenurgeusthusrefreshedtogoonourwaytowardsGod,intheenjoymentofwhomwefindourcommonhappiness.

ForeventheApostleexclaims,“WasPaulcrucifiedforyou?OrwereyoubaptizedinthenameofPaul?”(1Cor.1:13),andagain:“Soneitherhewhoplantsnorhewhowatersisanything,butonlyGodwhogivesthegrowth”(1Cor.3:7).Andtheangeladmonishesthe man who is about to worship him, that he should rather worship Him who is hisMaster,andunderwhomhehimselfisafellow-servant(Rev.19:10).

–St.Augustine,OnChristianDoctrine,1.33


TheholyangelsalwaysstrivetoleadmebeyondthemselvestotheirCreator.DoIdothesame?DothepeoplewhoknowmemoveontowardGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangelswho surroundme, teachme to imitate you inhumility, so thatallwhoknowmemaybeledtowardtheirCreator.

Angelshelptheholy

A legend of an especially holy Egyptian monk shows us the strength of the earlyChristians’faithinangels.Itseemedonlynaturalthatanespeciallyholymanwouldbegivenangelicaidinovercominganobstacletohisholiness.

SinceIhavealreadymentionedthemonasteriesofEgypt,thismaybeagoodplacetogiveashortaccountofthem.Theywereprobablyfoundedataveryearlyperiod,buttheyweregreatlyenlargedandexpandedbyadevoutmanwhosenamewasAmmoun.

ItissaidthatAmmounneversawhimselfnaked:heusedtosay,“Itisnotappropriateforamonktoseeevenhisownbodyexposed.”Oncehewantedtocrossariver,buthewasunwilling toundress.Soheprayed toGod toallowhim tocrosswithouthaving tobreakhis resolution.And immediatelyanangel transportedhim to theother sideof theriver.

–SocratesScholasticus,EcclesiasticalHistory,4.23


Are there anyprinciplesofpurity that I feel so strongly about that Iwould ask forangelichelpinstickingtomyresolutions?Shouldtherebe?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel, I give youhumble thanks for the charityand zealwithwhich youprotectme,andIaskyoutohelpmepreservemyinnocencewheneverIamindangerfromtemptation.

Encounterswithangels

Two ancient anecdotes of Egyptian monks tell of their encounters with angels.Whether their visionswere reallyangelic visitsormerelydreams, the storiespointout how real the heavenly hostswere to the earlyChristianmonks. These devotedmensimplyexpectedthatangelswouldbepartoftheirdailylives.

Piammon and John presided over two celebrated Egyptian monasteries nearDiolcus. They were presbyters who discharged their priesthood very carefully andreverently.It issaidthatoneday,whenPiammonwasofficiatingaspriest,hebeheldanangel standingnear theholy table andwritingdown inabook thenamesof themonkswhowerepresent,whileheerasedthenamesofthosewhowereabsent.JohnhadreceivedfromGodsuchpoweroversufferingsanddiseases,thathehealedthegoutyandrestoredtheparalytic.

Another ascetic, Mark was, from his youth upwards, distinguished by extrememildness and prudence; he committed the sacredScriptures tomemory, andmanifestedsucheminentpiety thatMacariushimself, thepresbyterofCelliae,declared thathehadnevergiventohimwhatpriestspresenttotheinitiatedattheholytable,butthatanangeladministeredittohimwhosehanduptotheforearmhedeclareshimselftohaveseen.

–Sozomen,EcclesiasticalHistory,6.29


HowoftendoIremembertheangelicspiritswhosurroundallofus?

CLOSINGPRAYER

PureandhappyspiritssentbyGodtobeourprotectors,Iowemypreservationtoyouathousandtimes,andIhumblyoffermythanksforyourprotection.

“Bythissymbol,conquer”

ManyhistorianshavetoldthestoryofConstantine’sconversion.SozomensaysthatangelsexplainedhisvisionoftheCrosstohim.Thestorymaybeapocryphal,butitillustratesperfectlyhowcompletely theearlyChristianstrustedin theprotectionoftheangels.

WehavebeeninformedthatConstantinewasledtohonortheChristianreligionbytheconcurrenceofseveraldifferentevents,particularlybytheappearanceofasignfromHeaven.

WhenhefirstformedtheresolutionofenteringintoawaragainstMaxentius,hewasbesetwith doubts as to themeans of carrying on hismilitary operations, and as to thequarterwhencehecould lookforassistance. In themidstofhisperplexity,hesaw, inavision,thesightoftheCrossshininginHeaven.Hewasamazedatthespectacle,butsomeholyangelswhowerestandingbyexclaimed,“Constantine!Bythissymbol,conquer!”

AnditissaidthatChristhimselfappearedtohim,andshowedhimthesymboloftheCross, and commandedhim to construct one like unto it, and to retain it as his help inbattle,asitwouldinsurethevictory.

–Sozomen,EcclesiasticalHistory,1.3


EvenwhenIcan’tseeorhearangelsaroundme,doIhavethefaithtotrustintheirprotection?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, ten thousand myriads of holy angels bless and adore your majesty. Join myinsignificantvoicewiththeSanctusofSeraphimandArchangels.

TrustChrist,andtheangelswilldefendyou

WhenSatandaredJesustothrowhimselfoffatower,hequotedScripture,sayingthattheangelswouldguardhim.ButChrist,who is theLordofangels,hasnoneedoftheirprotection.Instead,ifwetrustinhim,hewillsendhisangelstoprotectus.

“For it iswritten, ‘Hewill give his angels charge of you, to guard you’” (Luke4:10).

Satanthenmadeuseoftheseverses,asthoughtheSaviorwereacommonman.Forbeingentirelydarkness,andhavinghismindblinded,hedidnotunderstandtheforceofwhatwassaid,thatthePsalmisspokeninthepersonofeveryjustmanwhoisaidedbytheHighest—thatis,theGodofHeaven.Andbesidesthis,hedidnotknowthattheWord,beingGod,wasmademan,andwashimselfnowbeing tempted inaccordancewith theplanofsalvation.

But it ismonstrous forus,whoaccuratelyknowthemystery,andbelieve thathe isGodandtheSonofGod,andthatforoursakeshebecamemanlikeuntous,toimaginethat the verses were spoken of him. To say, “You have made the Most High yourhabitation” (Ps. 91:9), then, is not appropriate for the person of the Savior. For he ishimselftheMostHigh:therefugeofall,thehopeofall,theall-powerfulrighthandoftheFather.Noevilwillapproachanyonewhotrustshimfordefense.Forheshallcommandtheangels,whoareministeringspirits,toguardthejust.

For just as our fathers in the flesh, when they see that the path is rough andimpassable,pickuptheirinfantsintheirhands,sothattheirtenderfeetwillnotbehurt,beingbecausetheyareyetunabletowalkoverthehardroad,soalsotherationalpowersdo not permit those who are as yet unable to labor, and whose understanding is stillchildish,totoilbeyondtheirstrength,butsnatchthemoutofeverytemptation.



DoIreallytrustthattheangelsareguardingmerightnow?HowcanIrecognizetheirhelp,evenwhenthingsseemtobegoingwrong?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian Angel, keepme from stumbling onmyway, and preserveme in the truefaith.

Trustingintheangels

WhenConstantinoplewasmenacedbyaPersianattack,thereportofamessagefromtheangelsgaveitscitizenscourage.Intimesoftrouble,ancientChristianskeenlyfelttheprotectingpresenceoftheangels.

When theemperorsawthat thePersianwasmusteringhiswholeforce,hemadeadditionalleviestohisarmy,andputhiswholetrustinGodforthevictory.

Andthatthekingwasnotwithoutimmediatebenefitfromthispiousconfidencethefollowing circumstance proves. As the people of Constantinople were in greatconsternation, and worrying about how the war would come out, angels from GodappearedtosomepersonsinBithyniawhoweretravelingtoConstantinopleontheirownaffairs,andtoldthemtotellthepeoplenottobealarmed,butpraytoGodandbeassuredthattheRomanswouldbeconquerors.FortheysaidthattheythemselveswereappointedbyGodtodefendthem.

Whenthismessagewascirculateditnotonlycomfortedtheresidentsofthecity,butrenderedthesoldiersmorecourageous.



DoItrustinangelstodelivermefrommyowntroubles?

CLOSINGPRAYER

St.Michael theArchangel,beourdefenseagainst thewickednessandsnaresof thedevil.

Anarmyofangels

TheGothicleaderGainastriedtomakehimselfmasterofthewholeRomanEmpire.Constantinople,theeasterncapital,wasinseriousdanger:mostoftheRomanarmywas too far away to help.But thebarbariansweredefeated—andpopular opinioninsistedthattheirdefeatwasduetoangelicprotection.

Thecitywasaccordinglyquiteinundatedbythebarbarians,anditsresidentswerereducedtoaconditionequivalenttothatofcaptives.Moreover,sogreatwasthedangerofthe city that a comet of prodigiousmagnitude, reaching fromheaven even to the earth,suchaswasneverbeforeseen,gaveforewarningofit.

Gainas first most shamelessly attempted to make a seizure of the silver publiclyofferedforsaleintheshops:butwhentheproprietors,advisedbeforehandbyreportofhisintention, abstained from offering it on their counters, his thoughts were diverted toanotherobject,whichwastosendanimmensebodyofbarbariansatnightforthepurposeofburningdownthepalace.

ThenindeeditappeareddistinctlythatGodhadprovidentialcareoverthecity:foramultitudeofangelsappearedtotherebels,intheformofarmedmenofgiganticstature,beforewhom thebarbarians, imagining them tobea largearmyofbrave troops, turnedawaywithterroranddeparted.

When thiswas reported toGainas, it seemed tohimquite incredible—forheknewthatthegreatestpartoftheRomanarmywasatadistance,dispersedasagarrisonovertheEasterncities—andhesentothersonthefollowingnightandrepeatedlyafterwards.Nowas they constantly returned with the same statement—for the angels of God alwayspresented themselves in the same form—he camewith a greatmultitude, and at lengthbecamehimselfaspectatoroftheprodigy.



WhenI’mreallyafraidofsomething,doIremembertheangelswhosurroundme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,whoadoreGodinmyriads,defendmefromtheattacksoftheenemy,sothatImaypraiseGodwithyouforeverinHeaven.

SimeonthePole-Sitter,anangelonearth

SimeonStylites(“ofthepillar”)attemptedtolivethelifeoftheangelsonearth—byremoving himself as far as possible from the earth, living on top of a column forthirty-seven years. In spite of his eccentricity, however, he was unquestioninglyobedienttotheleadersoftheChurch.

Simeontriedtorealizethelifeoftheheavenlyhostsintheflesh.Heliftedhimselfabovetheconcernsofearth,and—overpoweringthedownwardtendencyofhumannature—wasintentonthingsabove.Placedbetweenearthandheaven,heheldcommunionwithGod,andunitedwiththeangelsinpraisinghim;fromearth,offeringhisintercessionsonbehalfofhumanbeings,andfromHeaven,drawingdownuponthemthedivinefavor.

WhenSimeon,thatangelonearth,thatcitizeninthefleshoftheheavenlyJerusalem,had devised this strange and hitherto unknownway of life, the inhabitants of the holydesertsentsomeonetohim,chargedwithaninjunctiontorenderareasonforthisstrangehabit—namely,why he abandoned the beaten path the saints had trodden, and pursuedanotheraltogetherunknowntomankind.Theinjunctionfurtherdemandedthatheshouldcomedownandtraveltheroadoftheelectfathers.Atthesametimetheygaveordersthat,ifheshouldshowaperfect readiness tocomedown,heshouldbegiven thefreedomtofollowoutthecoursehehadchosen,sincehiscompliancewouldbesufficientproofthathe persevered in this endurance of his under God’s guidance. But if he should showrepugnance, or be swayed by self-will, and refuse to be guided implicitly by theinjunction,thenheshouldbedraggeddownbyforce.

When the messenger came and announced the command of the fathers, Simeon,obeying the injunction, immediately put one foot forward.But then themessenger toldhimhewasfreetotakehisowncourse.“Bestrongandplaytheman,”hesaid.“ThewayyouhavechosenisfromGod.”

–EvagriusScholasticus,EcclesiasticalHistory,1.13


AmIdociletotheauthorityoftheChurchonearth?DoIrealizethatsuchdocilityisamarkofangeliclife?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpme to resistall temptations todisobedience. Iwant to live incommunionwiththeChurch,withalltheholyangels,andwithGod.

Thekeysofheaven

WhohastheauthoritytopromisethekeysofHeaven?Notanangel,saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria,andnotanyoftheotherpowersofHeaven.RespondingtohereticswhodoubtedthedivinityofJesus,St.CyrilsaysthatonlyGodhimselfcanmakeapromiselikethat—evenwhenGodlookslikeaGalileancarpenter.

“And I tellyou,youarePeter (that is, a rock), andon this rock Iwillbuildmychurch,andthepowersofdeathshallnotprevailagainstit.Iwillgiveyouthekeysofthekingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, andwhateveryoulooseonEarthshallbeloosedinHeaven”(Matthew16:18-19).Seehowhemakes himself at once the Lord of Heaven and of Earth. For he promises things thatexceedournature,andsurpass themeasureofhumanity—infact, theysurpasseven themeasure of the angelic rank. They are appropriate to be bestowed only by that Naturewhosegloryandsovereigntytranscendall.

First he says that the church belongs to him; the sacred Scriptures neverthelessdistinctlyascribeitrathertoGod,andtohimonly,sayingthatitis“thechurchofGod.”For theysay that“Christpresented it tohimself,havingneither spotnor stain,butholyrather, andblameless.”AsGod, therefore,he says that it ishis, and indeedpromises tofoundit,grantingittobeunshaken,becausehehimselfistheLordofpowers.AndnexthesaysthathegiveshimthekeysofHeaven.Thenwhoisitthatthuspoursforthlanguageappropriate toGod?Is itanangel? Is it someother intelligentpower—aPrincipality,orThrone, orDominion? Is it one of the holy Seraphs?Not at all.As I said before, suchlanguagebelongstoAlmightyGodalone,towhombelongsthesovereigntyofEarthandHeaven.

SodonotlettheseinnovatorsdividetheoneChrist,soastosaythatoneSonistheWordofGodtheFather,andthathewhoisoftheseedofDavidisanotherSon.ForPetermentionsonlyoneChrist,theOnly-begottenwhobecamemanandwasmadeflesh.



Do I respect the earthly hierarchy which God has given extraordinary power inHeavenaswell?DoIrecognizethegiftGodhasgiveninlettingmenoccupytheofficeofangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, strengthen those inHolyOrderswho serve theChurchwith theassistanceof

yourangels.

Friendshipwithangelsisuselesswithoutcharity

ThestrugglesbetweenChristiansandtheDonatistsecthadbecomeviolent,andtwoDonatistshaddied,whomtheDonatistscalledmartyrs.St.OptatusofMilevissaystheycannotbecalledmartyrs,because theyhadabandonedcharity, theonevirtuewithoutwhichnotevencommunionwithangelswilldousanygood.

Thosemenyoucallmartyrsrefusedtorecognizetheirbrethren,andhadnocharity.

And don’t say in their excuse that they were unwilling to hold communion withBetrayers, since it has beenmost clearly proved that they themselveswere the sons ofBetrayers.Thereforeyouhavenowayofexcusingthem,foritisquiteobviousthattheyhadnocharity,withoutwhichwecan’tcallwhat theydidmartyrdom.Martyrdomcan’texistwithoutcharity.Withoutcharity,theverygreatestandmostcommandingvirtuelosesits effect; without it, the knowledge of all tongues is worthless; without it, even thefellowshipofangelsisofnouse—assaystheApostlePaul:

“If I have the power of commandingmountains so as tomove them fromplace toplace,and if Ispeakwith the tonguesofallnations,evenofangels,and if Idelivermybodytotheflames,andhavenocharityinme,Iamnothing.Iamliketinklingbrassinthedesert,sothattheeffectofmywordwilldieawaythere,wherethereisnoonetohear.”(aparaphraseof1Cor.13:1-3)

IfsomeoneasgreatastheblessedPaul,theVesselofElection,declaresthat,evenifhehascommandingvirtueandthecompanyofangels,heisnothingwithoutcharity,thenconsiderwhetherthosepeopleshouldnotbecalledsomethingverydifferentfrommartyrs,who, having deserted charity, may perhaps, because of that desertion, have sufferedsomething.

–St.OptatusofMilevis,AgainsttheDonatists,Book3


WhereamImost lacking incharity?HaveI tried to reachup to theangelswithoutfirstbeingmorecharitabletothepeopleI’mtemptedtocondemn?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,helpmetoheedthepromptingsoftheguardianangelsofpeopleIfinddifficult—people who challenge me, people who oppose me. May the angels ensure that mydealingsarealwaysmarkedbysupernaturalcharity.

Angelsourfellowservants

St.Basil theGreatreplies to thosewhowouldmake theHolySpirit something lessthanGod.TheyarguethattheangelsaresometimesalsomentionedtogetherwiththeFatherandtheSon;butSt.Basilsaysthat, inthosecases, theangelsarecalledaswitnesses,asfellowservantsunderthesameLord.

SomepeopleobjectthatotherbeingsmentionedalongwiththeFatherandtheSonare certainly not always glorified togetherwith them. TheApostle, for instance, in hischargetoTimothy,associatestheangelswiththeminthewords,“InthepresenceofGodandofChrist Jesusandof the elect angels I chargeyou” (1Tim.5:21).Wearenot foralienating theangels from the restofcreation,andyet, it isargued,wedonotallowoftheirbeingcountedwiththeFatherandtheSon.

TothisIreplythatpossiblybeforeamildandgentlejudge,andespeciallybeforeOnewhobyhisleniencytothosearraignedbeforehimdemonstratestheunimpeachableequityofhisdecisions,onemightbewilling toofferaswitnessevena fellowslave;but foraslave to bemade free and called a son ofGod and quickened from death can only bebrought about by the Lord, who has acquired natural kinship with us, and has beenchangedfromtherankofaslave.HowcanwebemadekinwithGodbyonewhoisanalien?Howcanwebefreedbyonewhoishimselfundertheyokeofslavery?ItfollowsthatthementionoftheSpiritandthatofangelsarenotmadeunderthesameconditions.TheSpirit iscalledonasLordoflife,andtheangelsasalliesoftheirfellowslavesandfaithfulwitnessesofthetruth.

ItiscustomaryforthesaintstodeliverthecommandmentsofGodinthepresenceofwitnesses,asalsotheApostlehimselfsaystoTimothy,“andwhatyouhaveheardfrommebeforemanywitnessesentrust to faithfulmenwhowillbeable to teachothersalso” (2Tim.2:2).Nowhecalls the angels towitness, forheknows that angelswill bepresentwith the Lord when he comes in the glory of his Father to judge the world inrighteousness.



Angels arewitnesses ofwhat I’m doing right now.Does remembering that changewhatIplannedtodolaterontoday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangelswhosurroundme,keepmeinyoursight,andkeepyourpresenceinmy

mindthroughouttheday.

TheangeloftheLorddrivinguson

Whenmisfortunesstrikeus,saysSt.GregorytheGreat,we’reverylikelytodespair—atendencyrepresentedbythebadadviceofJob’swife.Butweneedtorememberthatoursufferingscanbeusefulinbringingusbacktotherightpath.

“Thenhiswifesaidtohim,‘Doyoustillholdfastyourintegrity?CurseGod,anddie’”(Job2:9).

Thewife,withherbadadvice, is thecarnal thought thatprodsat themind. Itoftenhappens(asI’vejustsaid)thatwearebothharriedbyblowsfromoutsideandwornoutbycarnalproddinginside.

Thus Jeremiahmourns, saying, “In the street the swordbereaves; in thehouse it islike death” (Lam. 1:20). “The sword bereaves”when vengeance strikes and stabs at usfrom the outside; and “in the house it is like death” becausewe are lashed and yet theconscienceisstillnotclearofthestainsofinnertemptation.

ThisDavidsays,“Letthembelikechaffbeforethewind,withtheangeloftheLorddrivingthemon!”(Ps.35:5).Whoeveriscaughtbytheblastoftemptationintheheartislifteduplikedustbeforethewind.AndifthestrictnessofGodstrikesusinthemiddleoftheseblows,whatelseisit,exceptthattheangeloftheLordisdrivinguson?



HoweasilydoIgiveupwhenmisfortunestrikes?DoIrecognizetheangelofGodinmymisfortunes,drivingmeontowardHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, send your angels to strengthenme, so that Imay resist evil thoughts even inadversity.

Sicknessmaybeyourangelintheway

IntheBible’smostfamoustalking-animalstory,BalaamisridingtocurseIsrael,buthisassseesanangelintheway,thoughBalaamdoesn’t.Sickness,saysSt.GregorytheGreat,maybeyourangelintheway,stoppingyoufromsinningandturningyourmindbacktoGod.

Remindthesicktothinkabouthowgreathealthoftheheartisinbodilysuffering,whichbringsthemindbacktoknowingitself,andrenewsthememoryofinfirmity,whichhealth for themost part throws away—so that the stricken fleshmay remind the spirit,whichiscarriedoutofitselfintoelation,whatconditionitissubjectto.

ThisisrightlyshowntoBalaam—ifhehadonlybeenwillingtofollowthevoiceofGodobediently—intheveryobstructionofhis journey.ForBalaamisonhiswaytodowhat he plans to do, but the animal under him thwarts him. The ass, stopped by theprohibition,seesanangelthatthehumanminddoesnotsee.(Num.22:21-35.)

Injustthesameway,thefleshissloweddownbyafflictions.Then,fromthepainitendures,itshowsthemindthatcontrolsittheGodwhomtheminddidnotsee,sothatitstandsinthewayoftheeagernessofthespirit,whichistryingtoadvanceinthisworldasifitweregoingonajourney,untilitmakesknowntoittheinvisibleonewhostandsinitsway.Petersaiditverywell:he“wasrebukedforhisowntransgression;adumbassspokewithhumanvoiceandrestrainedtheprophet’smadness”(2Pet.2:16).Foramanreallyisrebuked as mad by a dumb beast of burden, when an elatedmind is reminded by theafflictedfleshthatitoughttokeepthegoodofhumility.

Remindthesicktothinkabouthowgreataboonbodilyafflictionis.Itbothwashesawaycommittedsinsandrestrainsthosewhichmighthavebeencommitted,whichinflictsonthetroubledmindwoundsofpenitencederivedfromoutwardstripes.

–St.GregorytheGreat,PastoralRule,3.12


WhenI’msufferingfromillnessesandtrials,doIlookforanangelinmyway?DoItrytousethattrialtoexaminemylifeandseewhetherI’mgoingsomewhereGoddoesn’twantmetogo?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,youarewithuseveninthetrialsofthislife.Helpmetohaveconfidenceinyourpresenceandyourmission.HelpmetoseeeachtrialasanopportunitytodrawclosertotheLord.

Noonecanhurtyou

Ifyou’reaChristian,saysSt.JohnChrysostom,noonecanreallyhurtyou—noteventhedevilhimself.Butmorethanthat,youcan’thurtanyoneelse.

Listentome!Itestify,andproclaimwithaloudvoice,morepiercingeventhanthesoundofatrumpet—andifitwerepossibletoriseuponhighandcryaloud,Iwouldnotshrinkfromdoingit—nooneofallthehumanbeingsthatinhabittheearthhasthepowertohurtaChristian.

Andwhy do I say human beings? Not even the evil spirit himself, the tyrant, thedevil,canhurtus,unlessweinjureourselves.Whateveranyonedoesagainstus,hedoesitinvain.Justasnohumanbeingcouldhurtanangelifhewereonearth,sonohumanbeingcanhurtanotherhumanbeing.Andthathumanbeingwillnotbeabletohurtanother,aslongasheisgood.

Whatcouldbebetterthanthis—nottobeabletobehurt,andnottobeabletohurtanother?Fornotbeingabletohurtanotherisjustasimportantasnotbeingabletobehurt.Someonelikethatislikeanangel—infact,likeGod.That’swhatGodislike,exceptthatheislikethatbynature,whereasthehumanbeingislikethatbymoralchoice.Neitheronecanbehurtbyanother,andneitheronecanhurtanother.



Am I the sort of Christian who’s really incapable of hurting anyone else—like anangel,orevenlikeGod?WhathurtshaveIinflictedthatIneedtorectify?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian Angel, leadme always to desire the good of others the way you alwaysdesiremygood.

Sufferalittlewhile,bewithangelsforever

TheHolySpiritiscalledtheComforter,saysSt.CyrilofJerusalem,becausehedoesexactly that.Howcan themartyrs facehorrible tortureswithoutblinking?BecausetheSpirithaswhisperedintheirears,remindingthemthattheywillsoonbewiththeangels.

AndtheSpiritiscalledtheComforter,becausehecomfortsus,andencouragesus.

Often aman is outraged, dishonored, and hurt forChrist’s sake. Tortures on everyside—fireandsword—savagebeasts—thedeeppit.ButtheHolySpiritsoftlywhisperstohim,“WaitfortheLord.Whatishappeningtoyounowistrivial;whatyou’rebeinggivenisgreat.Suffera littlewhile,andbewithangels forever. ‘Thesufferingsof thispresenttimearenotworthcomparingwiththeglorythatistoberevealedtous’(Rom.8:18).”

HeportraysthekingdomofHeaventotheman;healmostshowshimtheparadiseofdelight.Andthemartyrs,whosefacesmustnecessarilybeturnedtowardtheirjudges,butwhosespiritsarealreadyinparadise,despisethehardshipstheyseeinfrontofthem.



If it helped martyrs face being torn apart by beasts, could remembering that Godmeans me to share Heaven with angels, help me get through the mere annoyances oftoday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father, Idesire thecompanyofangels eternally. I pray to you that yourSpirit, theComforter,maybesentdownonmetostrengthenmeforyourservice.

Gooddeedsarelikeangelsprotectingus

AngelsprotectingLotstruckthemenwhowouldattackhimblind,sothattheycouldnot find their way into his house. This, says St. Gregory the Great, is a goodmetaphorforthegooddeedsoftherighteous,whichstriketheirenemiesblindsothattheycannotfindanopeningofwickednessanywhere.

“Theymeetwithdarknessinthedaytime,andgropeatnoondayasinthenight”(Job5:14).

The day of good deeds shines outwardly in a neighbor, but they “grope as in thenight,”becauseinwardlytheyareunder thedarknessof their jealousfeeling.Theybusythemselves to find somepoints that theymay reprimand—they seekout anopening fordetraction.Butsincetheycannotfindone,theysearcharoundinblindnessoutside.

Thisiswellsetforthinthatoccasion,whenbecausetheangelswereprotectingLot,theinhabitantsofSodomcouldnotfindthedoorwayinhishouse—asitiswritten,“ThentheypressedhardagainstthemanLot,anddrewneartobreakthedoor.Butthemenputforth their hands and brought Lot into the house to them, and shut the door.And theystruckwithblindnessthemenwhowereatthedoorofthehouse,bothsmallandgreat,sothattheyweariedthemselvesgropingforthedoor”(Gen.19:9-11).

Whatdoesitmeanthat,whenthewickedareupinarmsagainsthim,Lotisbroughtback into the house, and defended? It means that every righteous man, while heencounters the assaults of evil ones, is brought back into his interior, and stays thereundismayed. But the men of Sodom cannot find the door in Lot’s house, because thecorruptersofsoulsdetectnoopeningofaccusationagainstthelifeoftherighteousman.For, strickenwithblindness, theygo roundand round thehouse, so to speak,under theinfluenceofenvyscrutinizingwordsanddeeds.Butbecauseinthelifeofthejust,strongandpraiseworthy conduct confronts them fromevery direction, groping at random theyfeelnothingbutthewall.



AmIsowellsurroundedbygooddeeds,liketheangelsthatsurroundedLot,thattheenviouscanfindnothingtoaccusemeof?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian Angel, be with me throughout the day, and lead me to surround myselfeverywherewithgooddeedsasarmoragainsttheassaultsofevil.

Goodpeopleareworthmorethanbadangels

Justasyou’dratherhavegoldthanfleas,eventhoughfleasarehigheronthescaleofcreation than gold, it’s far better to be a good person than a bad angel, says St.Augustine.

AmongexistingbeingsthatarenotofGodtheCreator’sessence,thosethathavelife are ranked above those that havenone; those that have thepowerof generation, orevenofdesiring,abovethosethatlackit.And,amongthingsthathavelife,thosethatfeelarehigherthanthosethathavenofeeling,asanimalsarerankedabovetrees.And,amongtheonesthatfeel,theintelligentareabovethosethatdonothaveintelligence,aspeople(forexample)arerankedabovecattle.And,amongtheintelligent, theimmortal,suchastheangels,abovethemortal,suchaspeople.

These are the gradations according to the order of nature; but according to theusefulnesseachoneofusfindsinathing,therearevariousstandardsofvalue,sothatitturnsoutthatweprefersomethingsthathavenosensationtosomesentientbeings.Andsostrong is thispreference, that, ifwehad thepower,wewouldabolish the latter fromnaturealtogether—eitherbecausewedon’tunderstand theplace theyhold innature,or,thoughweknowit,wewouldsacrificethemtoourownconvenience.Forexample,whowouldn’tratherhavebreadinhishousethanmice,orratherhavegoldthanfleas?

But there is little to wonder at in this, seeing that even when valued by humansthemselves (whose nature is certainly of the highest dignity),more is often given for ahorsethanforaslave,forajewelthanforamaid.

Butwill and lovematter somuch in intelligent beings that, though in the order ofnatureangelsrankabovehumans,yet,bythescaleofjustice,goodpeopleareworthmorethanbadangels.



AmIhonestlyworthmorethanabadangel?AmIworkinginthatdirection?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MyGuardianAngel,keepmeawayfromeveryoccasionofsin,andmakemeworthyoftheaidyousogenerouslygiveme.

Friendshipmakesangelsrejoiceandlullsdemons

St.JohnChrysostomcomparesfriendshiptothemusicofaharpororchestra,wheredifferentnotesproduceasingleharmony.

Thisisawonderfulthingtosee:manyinone,andoneinmany—justasthesoundsaredifferentinaharp,buttheharmonyisone,andall togethertheymakeoneharmonyandsymphony

Butthemusicianisthepoweroflove.Thisiswhatplaysthesweetmelody,singingasong inwhichnonote isoutof tune.Theangels rejoiceat it, and theLord, theGodofangels.Thewholeaudience inHeavenrises tohear it.Thesongeven lulls thewrathofdemons.Itlullsthepassions—infact,itdoesn’tevenallowthemtorise,butmakesadeepcalm.

Justasinthetheatereveryonelistenswithahushandkeepsperfectsilencewhiletheorchestra isplaying, so among friends,when loveplays the chords, all thepassionsarecalmedandlaidtosleep,likewildbeastschainedandtamed.



Isthisagooddescriptionofmyfriendships?Dotheycalmdemonsandmakeangelsrejoice?Ordotheystiruptrouble?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,letmehearthesweetharmonyofyourlife-givingcommandments,andwiththejoyfulangelsIwillsingeverlastingglorytoyouwithoutceasing.

Showtheworldhowangelslive

Ifwelive theangelic lifehereonearth,saysSt.JohnChrysostom, thatwillbeourmostpowerfultoolforevangelism.ThepeoplearounduswillseewhatthekingdomofHeavenlookslike,andthey’llwanttobepartofit.

Let’sshowthemallanewkindoflife.Let’smakeearthintoHeaven,andbydoingitshowtheGreekswhatgreatblessingsthey’remissing.

When they see howwe treat each other, they’ll be looking at the very face of thekingdomofHeaven.Then they’ll say,“If theChristianshavealready turned intoangelshere,whatwilltheybeaftertheyleavethisworld?”

Thatwaytheytoowillbereformed.

–St.JohnChrysostom,HomilyonMatthew43:7


Could the people aroundme think I’ve turned into an angel already?Whatwouldhavetochangeinmylifebeforetheythoughtofmethatway?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpmeto liveasyouwould live in theordinarycircumstancesofeveryday—inmyworkandinmyrest,withmyfamilyandwithmyneighbors.

Unlikeangels,sometimeswe’rewrong

St.AugustinepointsoutthatSt.Cyprianwaswrongaboutsomethings—buthewaswrongintherightway.Itisangelictorefrainfromjudgingthosewhohavedifferentopinionsonobscurethings,butthepresumptionofthedeviltodividetheChurchoverthosedifferences.

Itoftenhappensthatsomethingisimperfectlyrevealedtothemorelearned,sothattheir patient and humble charity, fromwhich comes the greater fruit,may be proved—either in the way in which they preserve unity when they hold different opinions onmattersofcomparativeobscurity,orinthetemperwithwhichtheyreceivethetruthwhentheylearnthatithasbeendeclaredtobecontrarytowhattheythought.

TheblessedCyprianshowsusbothoftheseways.Heshowsusthefirstinthewayinwhich he preserved unity with those from whom he differed in opinion. For he says,“Judgingnoone,andnotdeprivinganyoneoftherightofcommunionifhediffersfromus.”Andheshowsustheotherinthewayhecouldreceivethetruthwhenhefoundittobedifferent fromwhathe thought itwas.Thoughhis letters are silenton thepoint, hisgoodtemperisstillproclaimedbyhismerits.If thereisnoletterextanttoproveit, it iswitnessedbyhiscrownofmartyrdom;iftheCouncilofbishopsdoesnotdeclareit,itisdeclaredbythehostofangels.

For it is a considerable proof of a very peaceful soul that he won the crown ofmartyrdominthatunityfromwhichhewouldnotseparate,eventhoughhedifferedfromit.Afterall,weareonlyhuman;andoneofthetemptationstowhichhumansaresubjectisthatweshouldholdviewsthatdifferwiththetruthonsomepoint.Butifwehavetoogreatloveforourownopinion,ortoomuchjealousyofourbetters,wemaycomeeventothesacrilegeofdividingthecommunionoftheChurch,andoffoundingheresyorschism,andthatisapresumptionworthyofthedevil.Butnevertohaveanopinionthatdiffersfromthetruthinanypointisaperfectionfoundonlyintheangels.

–St.Augustine,OnBaptism,AgainsttheDonatists,2.5


AmItemptedtowardthepresumptionofthedevilwhenIseethingsintheChurchIdon’tlike?HowcouldIbemoreofaforceforunity?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian Angel, keep all presumption far from me, and lead me to accept thedecisionsoftheChurchinpatientandhumblecharity.

Tasteandsee

The holy angels drink from the sweetness of God, says St. Ambrose—but thesweetnessishiddenfromyouaslongasyouarecaptivetosin.AssoonasallyourhopeisplacedintheLord,youtastewhattheangelstaste.

Withgoodreason,then,isthesweetnessofGodhiddentoyou.Thelawplacedinyourmembers,resistingthelawofyourmind,bringsyouintocaptivity.Theholyangelsdrink from that sweetness, but it is hidden from you. You cannot drink and taste thatsweetness,becauseyouareacaptive.

Youwould not have known lust if the law had not said, “You shall not lust.”Youheard,feared,triedtofight,couldnotwin.

Godforbidsadultery.Youhavecovetedanotherman’swife,butyoudonotgointoher.Youhaveachance—youhavetime,therightplace,nowitnesses—andyetyoudon’tdoit.Whynot?Becauseyoufearthepunishment.Butnoonewillknowit!Well,won’tGodknowit?Soit’sclearthat,becauseGodknowswhatyouareabouttodo,youdonotdo it. But here you fear the threats ofGod.You do not love his commandments.Whydon’tyoudo it?Becauseyou’llbe thrown intohell fire ifyoudo.The fire iswhatyoufear.

Oh, if you loved chastity, you would not do it, even if you could go completelyunpunished!IfGodsaidtoyou,“Goahead,doit,Iwon’tcondemnyou,Iwon’tsendyoutohell,butIwillwithholdmyfacefromyou”—then, ifyoudidn’tdoitbecauseof thisthreat,itwouldbefromtheloveofGodthatyourefrained,notfromthefearofjudgment.

Charityworks through you, when you act with your will. You taste the sweetnessrightawayifyouhopeintheLord.

–St.Augustine,Sermon95ontheNewTestament


Howmuchofwhatkeepsmeinlineislove,andhowmuchisfear?WouldIhavelesstroublewithtemptationifIrememberedthesweetnessthattheangelstaste?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,IamfearfulandtremblingwhenIstandbeforeyou.Makemeworthyto tasteyoursweetnesswithyourholyangels.

Wedigourownditch

WhentherichmaninChrist’sparablebegsthatLazarusgivehimjustalittlewater,Abrahamtellshimthatthere’sagreatchasmbetweentherighteousandthesinners.What does that mean? asks St. Asterius of Amasea. That the nature of our livescreatesavastseparationbetweentherighteousandunrighteous.

It isalsoworthwhile toexamine intelligentlyhoweachof thesemenwhendeadwas carried forth. The poor man, when he fell asleep, had angels as his guards andattendantswhocarriedhim,fullofjoyfulexpectation,totheplaceofrest.Therichman,Christsays,diedandwasburied.

It is not possible to improve the declaration of theScriptures in anyway.A singlesentenceadequatelyindicatestheunhonoreddeceaseoftherichman.Forthesinnerwhenhe dies is indeed buried, being earthly in body, and worldly in soul. He degrades thespiritualwithin him to thematerial by yielding to the enticements of the flesh, leavingbehind no good memorial of his life, but, dying the death of beasts, is wrapped inunhonoredforgetfulness.

After therichmanhadbeggedhimmanytimes,andafterhearingcountlesspiteousappeals,Abrahamwasnotmovedbythelamentsofthesuppliant.Hedidnottaketheonewhowasbitterlyscourgedawayfromhispain. Instead,withausteremindheconfirmedthefinaljudgment,sayingthatGodhadgiveneachwhathedeserved.Andhesaidtotherichman,“Sinceinlifeyoulivedinluxurythroughthecalamitiesofothers,whatyouaresuffering is imposed upon you as the penalty of your sin. But to him who once hadhardships,andwastrampledonandenduredinbitternesslifeintheflesh,thereisallottedhereasweetandjoyfulexistence.”

I think this parable is amaterial representation of a spiritual truth.We should notimaginethatthereisinrealityaditchdugbyangels.InsteadLuke,bythesimilitudeofachasm,hasrepresentedforustheseparationofthosewhohavelivedvirtuouslyandthosewhohavelivedotherwise.

–St.AsteriusofAmasea,Sermon1:TheRichManandLazarus


WhichsideofthegreatchasmamIlivingon—thesidewiththeholyangels,orthesidewiththefallenones?WhatdoIneedtochangetomakesureI’montherightside?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,thoughIknowIamunworthy,youhavesentangelstoassistmeandserveme.

Irelyontheirhelpbecausetheycomefromyou.

Theyieldiswhatcounts

St.Peter,saysSt.Augustine,deniedChrist,stoodinhisway,andmisunderstoodtheNew Covenant—yet he will judge angels. What matters most to Christ is not thethistleswehadtouprootfromoursouls,buttheyieldwegivehimoncethegospelisplanted.

Wesee the same thing in theGospel,where thedevilsconfess thatChrist is theSonofGod in thewords used byPeter, butwith a very different heart. So, though thewords were the same, Peter is praised for his faith, while the impiety of the devils isstopped. For Christ, not by human sense, but by divine knowledge, could inspect andinfalliblydistinguishthesourcesfromwhichthewordscame.

Besides, there aremultitudeswho confess thatChrist is theSonof the livingGod,withoutmeritingthesameapprovalasPeter—notonlyofthosewhoshallsayinthatday,“Lord,Lord,” and shall receive the sentence, “Depart fromme,” but also of thosewhoshallbeplacedontherighthand.TheymayprobablyneverhavedeniedChristevenonce;theymayneverhaveopposedhissufferingforoursalvation;theymayneverhaveforcedtheGentiles to follow Jewish law; andyet theywill notbehonoredequallywithPeter,who, thoughhedidall thesethings,willsitononeof thetwelvethrones,andjudgenotonly the twelve tribes, but the angels.So, again,manywhohavenever desired anotherman’swife,orprocuredthedeathofthehusband,asDaviddid,willneverreachtheplacewhichDavidneverthelessheldinthedivinefavor.

There is a vast difference between what is in itself so undesirable that it must beutterly rejected, and the rich and plenteous harvest which may afterwards appear. Forfarmersarebestpleasedwith the fields fromwhich,after theymayhavepulledoutbigthistles,theyreceiveahundredfold;notwithfieldswhichhaveneverhadanythistles,buthardlybearthirtyfold.

–St.Augustine,ReplytoFaustustheManichean,22.6c


WhenIconfessthatChrist is theSonofGod,doIdoitasPeterandtheangelsdo,withloveandawe?OrdoIdoitasthedevilsdid,withcringingfear?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LordJesusChrist,IconfessthatyouaretheSonofthelivingGod,andIrenouncetheimpietyofthedevilandallhisangels.

Repentancemakesanewperson

St.Augustinesaysthat,whenwerepentofoursins,our“painandtears”givebirthtoanewperson,onewhobelongsinHeavenwithChristandtheangels.Welosethatheavenlycitizenshipwhenwerelapseintoouroldsinfulways.

“Whatismanthatyouaremindfulofhim,andthesonofman,thatyoucareforhim?”(Ps.8:4).

Every son of man is a man, although not every man is a son of man. Adam, forinstance,was aman, but not a son ofman. From thatwemaybe able to tellwhat thedifference is here between “man” and “son ofman”: those who bear the image of theearthyman,whoisnotasonofman,aremeantbythenameof“men”;butthosewhobeartheimageoftheheavenlyManshouldbecalled“sonsofmen.”

Therepentanceoftheoldmanbegetsthis“sonofman”—thatis,thenewman—withpainandtears.Althoughheisnew,heisstillcalleda“manoftheflesh”whileheisfedwithmilk:“I,brethren,couldnotaddressyouasspiritualmen,butasmenoftheflesh,”saystheapostle.Andtoshowthattheywerenotalreadyregenerated,headds,“asbabesinChrist.Ifedyouwithmilk,notsolidfood.”Andwhenherelapsestotheoldlife—asoftenhappens—hehearsinrebukethatheisaman:“areyounotoftheflesh,andbehavinglikeordinarymen?”(1Cor.3:1-3).

Thisiswhythe“sonofman”wasfirstvisitedinthepersonoftheLordManhimself,bornof theVirginMary.Becauseof theveryweaknessof the flesh that theWisdomofGodcondescendedtobear,andthehumiliationofthePassion,thePsalm(8:5)justlysaysofhim,“Youhavemadehima little less than theangels.But Iadd thatglorification inwhichheroseandascendedintoHeaven:“youcrownhimwithgloryandhonor.Youhavegivenhimdominionovertheworksofyourhands(Ps.8:6).

–St.Augustine,ExpositiononPsalm8,10-11


In spite of previous repentance, have I relapsed into old sins, renderingmyself farlowerthantheangelsandclosertothebeasts?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,thoughIhavesinnedoften,permitmetostandbeforeyouwithyourangelsandimploreyourforgivenessforallmysins.

Missingtheangels

Wewerecreatedtobeinfellowshipwithangels,saysSt.GregorytheGreat.Butoursin keeps us out ofHeavenandbound toEarth.Howcanwehelpmourningwhatwe’velost?

“Butwhereshallwisdombefound?Andwhereistheplaceofunderstanding?Mandoesnotknowthewaytoit,anditisnotfoundinthelandoftheliving”(Job28:12-13).Inthispassage,whatdoesthename“land”meanbutthehumansoul?—aboutwhichthepsalmistsays,“mysoulthirstsforyoulikeaparchedland”(Ps.143:6).

Butthiswisdomcannotbefoundinthelandoftheliving,becausewhoeverisstillfedwiththepleasuresofthislifeiscutofffromtheperceptionoftheeternalWisdom.Anyonewitha trulywisemind,whenbanishedfromtheeternaldelights,wouldmournover theblindconditionoftheexilehehasfalleninto.

This iswhySolomonsays“hewhoincreasesknowledge increasessorrow”(Eccles.1:18).Themorewebegin toknowwhatwehave lost, themorewebegin tomourn thesentencepassedonusforourcorruption.Weseewherewehavefallenfromandwherewehavefalleninto;weseehowwehavecomefromthejoysofParadiseintothewoesofthepresentlife—fromthecompanyofangelstoworryingaboutnecessities.Weconsiderwhatanumberofdangerswenowlieexposedto,whenweformerlydisdainedtostandwithoutdanger. We mourn the exile we are cursed to suffer, and sigh after the condition ofheavenlyglorythatwemightbeenjoyingsafelyifwedidnothavetheurgetocommitsin.

Thepsalmistrightlyseesthisandsays,“Ihadsaidinmyalarm,‘Iamdrivenfarfromyoursight’”(Ps.31:22).AftercontemplatingtheinteriorjoysofthevisionofGod,andtheassembly in fellowship of the angels holding fast, he brought back his eyes to thingsbeneath.He saw how hewas laid low,when hewas created so that hemight stand inheavenlyrealms.



Imaynot be able to stand inHeavenwith the angels yet, but do I remember theircompanionshipandaskfortheirhelp?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,sheltermeunderyourwings;lightmypath,andguidemysteps.

Believetheangelsifnothingelse

At a time when Arian heretics threatened to take over the Church, St. AmbroseremindsusthattheangelsthemselveshavedeclaredthatChristwasdivine,andthathewastobebornofavirgin.

Butiftheywillnotbelievethedoctrinesoftheclergy,letthembelievetherevealedword of Christ. Let them believe the admonitions of angels who say, “For with Godnothingshallbeimpossible.”LetthemgivecredittotheCreedoftheApostles,whichtheRomanChurchhasalwayskeptandpreservedundefiled.

Mary heard the voice of the angel before she had said, “How shall this be?” Shedidn’t ask because she had no faith that God could do what he said. Afterwards shereplied,“BeholdthehandmaidoftheLord,beituntomeaccordingtothyword.”

Thisisthevirginwhoconceived.ThisisthevirginwhobroughtforthaSon.Forthusitiswritten,“BeholdaVirginshallconceiveandbearaSon”;declaringnotonlythatsheshouldconceiveasavirgin,butalsothatshebringforthasavirgin.

–St.Ambrose,Letter42,5


WhenIheartheWordofGod,amIwillingtogivethesameassentthatMarygave?DoIrememberthatangelsthemselveshavebroughttheWordtohumanbeings?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,withyourBlessedandEver-VirginMother,Mary,MotherofGod,letmelistentotheWordyouhavesentyourangelstoproclaim.

Comebackandmaketheangelsglad

St.Pacianremindsusthatyou’reneversofargoneinsinthatyoucan’trepent.Theangels arewatching andwaiting;when you come back, nomatter how far you’vestrayed,theangelswillrejoice.

The book of Revelation also threatens the seven Churches unless they shouldrepent.Now,Godwouldn’tthreatenthosewhodon’trepent,unlesshepardonedthosewhodo.GodHimselfsays,“Rememberthenfromwhatyouhavefallen,”and“repent”(Rev.2:5).Andagain,“Whenyoureturnandmourn,thenyoushallbesaved,andknowwhereyouhavebeen.”

AndletnoonethinkthatanysoulhasbecomesovileandsinfulthatGodhasnomoreneed of him. The Lord does notwill that any of us should perish. Even those of littleworth—eventheveryleast—aresoughtafter.Ifyoudon’tbelieveme,lookintheGospel.Thepieceofsilver issoughtafter,andwhenfoundisshowntotheneighbors.Thepoorsheep,althoughhehastocarryitbackonhisshouldersbendinglow,isnotburdensometotheShepherd.OveronesinnerthatrepentstheangelsinHeavenrejoice,andthecelestialchoirisglad.Come,then,sinner;neverstopasking!Youseewherethereisjoyoveryourreturn!

–St.Pacian,Paraenesis,25


AmItemptedtodespairofmysins?HaveIconfessedthesinsthatbothermemost?HaveIaskedmyguardianangelforhelpinkeepingmefromsin?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,donotdespiseme, inspiteofallmysins; Iknow that Iamnotworthy,but Itrustinthecareoftheangelsyousendtohelpme.

Evenangelscan’ttakeawayyoursin

When the emperor Theodosius gave orders that resulted in a massacre inThessalonica, St. Ambrose, bishop of the imperial capital of Milan, refused himcommunionuntilhemadepublicpenance.Hewarnedtheemperorthatnotevenanangelcantakeawayhissin.Only“tearsandpenitence”candoit.

AndScripturetellsusthatwhenthepeopleweredying,ontheveryfirstdayandatdinner time,David saw theangel that struckdown thepeople, andhe said, “Lo, Ihavesinned,andIhavedonewickedly;butthesesheep,whathavetheydone?Letyourhand,Ipray you, be against me and against my father’s house” (2 Sam. 24:17). So the Lordrepented, and commanded the angel to spare the people, and that David should offersacrifice. In those days therewere sacrifices for sin, but nowwe have the sacrifices ofpenitence.Soby thathumilityhewasmademoreacceptable toGod. It’snot surprisingthatamanshouldsin,butitisindeedblameableifhedoesn’tacknowledgehiserror,andhumblehimselfbeforeGod.

I’vewrittenallthis,nottoconfuseyou,butsothattheseroyalexamplesmayleadyoutoputawaythissinfromyourkingdom.YouwilldothatifyouhumbleyoursoulbeforeGod.Youareaman.Temptationhascometoyou;vanquishit.Sinisonlywashedawayby tears and penitence.Neither angel nor archangel can do it. The Lord himself—whoalonecansay“Iamwithyou”—grantsnoremissionofsinexcepttothepenitent.



AmIregular in thepracticeofsacramentalconfession?DoIcalluponmyangel tohelpmewhenIexaminemyconscience?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpmebesincerelypenitent,asDavidwas,asPeterwas,so thattheLordmayacceptmyrepentance.

Aglimpseofthechambersofthesouth

St.Gregory theGreatreads“thechambersof thesouth”inJobassymbolicof thedepthsofHeaven. Just as the climategetswarmer the farther southwego, so thedeeperweareinHeaventhemorewearefilledwiththeheatoftheHolySpirit.

“(W)homade theBearandOrion, thePleiadesand thechambersof thesouth”(Job9:9).

“Thechambersofthesouth”arethoseunseenordersofangels,andthoseunfathomeddepthsoftheheavenlycountry,thatarefilledwiththeheatoftheHolySpirit.Therethesouls of the saints are brought—both at the present time removed from the body, andafterwardrestoredtoitanew.Likestarstheyareconcealedinhiddendepths.

Thereallday,asatmidday,thefireofthesunburnswithabrighterluster,becausethebrightnessofourCreator,whichisnowobscuredbythemistsofourmortalstate,ismadevisiblemore clearly. There the beam of the orb seems to raise itself to higher regions,becauseTruthfromhimselfenlightensusmorecompletelyandthoroughly.Therethelightof interiorcontemplation isvisiblewithout the interveningshadowofchange.There theheat of the supremeLight is feltwithout anydimness from thebody.There theunseenbandsofangelsglitterlikestarsinhiddenrealms,whichmortalscannotseenow,becausetheyaresodeeplybathedintheflameofthetrueLight.



Do I feel the heat of theHoly Spirit burning inme, as it does in all the orders ofangels?OrisitchillywhereIamnow?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,teachmetoimitatetheardorofyourangels,andbestowonmetherichgiftsofyourall-holySpirit.

Longforlifewiththeangels

St. Gregory the Great tells us that our time of waiting here is preparing a richerrewardforus.WhenweloveGodandlongforlifeamongtheangels,bywaitingourlovegrowsevenstronger.

“Oh,thatIknewwhereImightfindhim,thatImightcomeeventohisseat!”(Job23:3).

Thosewholovestillhavetowait,sothat,becausetheyhavelovedandwaited,theywillhavestrongertitletothereward.SoAlmightyGodismadesweettousinmiracles,but in his own loftiness he remains hidden fromour eyes.Thus, by showing a little ofhimself,byasecretinspirationhesetsusonfirewithloveforhim;butbyhidingthegloryofhismajestyheincreasestheforceofourloveforhimbytheheatofourlongingdesire.

If theholymanhadnotwantedtoseethisBeinginhismajesty,hecertainlywouldnothavebroughtinthewords,“thatImightcomeeventohisseat.”Forwhatisthe“seat”ofGodexcept those angelic spiritswho, asScripture tells us, are called “Thrones”?Sowhoever wants to come to the seat of God wants nothing other than to be among theangelicspirits,sothathewillnotbesubjecttoanymoreweakmomentsintime,butnowwillriseuptolastinggloryinthecontemplationofeternity.

Nevertheless,thesewordsarealsoappropriatetotherighteouswhiletheyarestillinthis life.When they see anything done against their wish and desire, they turn to thehidden judgments ofGod to read in them thatwhat seems tohappen irregularlyon theoutsideisnotarrangedirregularlyontheinside.When,withtheeyesoffaith,theyseetheCreatorofallthingsrulingovertheangelicspirits,thenthey“cometohisseat.”



DoesmyloveincreasewhileIwaitformylifeamongtheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Send forth your plentiful grace and rich blessing, Lord, and make me worthy ofeverlastinglifeamongtheangelicspiritswhomakeupyourthrone.

Frombeasttoangel

Animalsdon’tsin,becausetheyfollowthelawsofnaturelaiddownforthem.AngelsinHeavendon’tsin,becausetheirwillsareperfectlyintunewithGod’s.Butwe,saysSt.Augustine,arehalfwaybetween.Ifwesubduethepartofusthat’sliketheanimals,wecanrisetotheleveloftheangels.

It isagreatquestionwhether there isanyrationalcreature forwhich there isnopleasureinwhatisunlawful.Ifthereissuchaclassofcreatures,itdoesnotincludeman,nordoesitincludetheangelicbeingsthatdidnotstayinthetruth.Theserationalcreaturesweremadesothattheyhadthepotentialityofrestrainingtheirdesiresfromtheunlawful;andinnotdoingthistheysinned.

Great,then,isthecreatureman,forheisrestoredbythispotentiality,bywhich,ifhehadsochosen,hewouldnothavefallen.AndgreatistheLord,andgreatlytobepraised,who created man. For he also created inferior natures which cannot sin, and superiornatureswhichwillnotsin.Beastsdonotsin,fortheirnatureagreeswiththeeternallawfrombeingsubject toit,withoutbeinginpossessionofit.Andagain,angelsdonotsin,because theirheavenlynature isso inpossessionof theeternal lawthatGodis theonlyobjectofitsdesire,andtheyobeyhiswillwithoutanyexperienceoftemptation.

Butman,whoselifeonthisearthisatrialonaccountofsin,subduestohimselfwhathehasincommonwithbeasts,andsubduestoGodwhathehasincommonwithangels;till, when righteousness is perfected and immortality attained, he shall be raised fromamongbeastsandrankedwithangels.

–St.Augustine,ReplytoFaustustheManichean,22.28


Howmuchdoesmy life have in commonwith the beasts, and howmuchwith theangels?HowcanItipthescalestowardtheangelicside?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Godoflight,whogivestothefaint-heartedwhoputtheirtrustinyouthosethingsintowhichangelsdesiretolook,sanctifymeinsoul,body,andspirit,andmakemeworthyofyourgifts.

ServeGodastheangelsdo

Howdowetreatourownservants?St.CyrilofAlexandriapointsoutthatGodhasarighttobeatleastassevereonusasweareonthepeoplewhoserveus.TheangelsconstantlyserveGodineverythingtheydo:shouldGodexpectanylessfromus?

Come, let us seewhat blamewe incur by our disobedience by looking atwhathappens among ourselves. We ourselves usually demand obedience mingled with fearfromourservants.Whentheyplanrebellion,andthrowofftheyokeofservitude,wemakethemhumblebybondsandtorturesandthescourge.

Sowhenwe,whoareofearth, andbynature thebrethrenof thosewhoarebowedbeneath the yoke, cannot tolerate them when rebellious, how will God endure it—hewhomPrincipalities, Thrones, andLordshipsworship, and inwhose presence the high-exaltedSeraphimstand,readilyrenderingtheirservice?ForthedivineDavidsomewheresaysoftheminthePsalms,

BlesstheLord,Oyouhisangels,

youmightyoneswhodohisword,

hearkeningtothevoiceofhisword!

BlesstheLord,allhishosts,

hisministersthatdohiswill!(Ps.103:20-21)

Itisdangerous,therefore,anddeservesfinalcondemnation,tobeunwillingtosubmittoChrist theAlmighty.But thosewhoprizehis service shall receive themostexcellentblessings.



HaveItakenupChrist’seasyyoke,astheholyangelsdosoreadily?OristherestillpartofmethatdemandstohavethingsmywayinsteadofChrist’s?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LordJesusChrist, Iamapoor,unworthy,andsinfulservant;but teachmetoservelikeanangel,andletmebearfruit.

Wecanbeangels

Doyouknowyourownnature?St.JohnChrysostomwonderswhetheryoudo.Ifyoudid,hesays,you’dknowthatyoucouldbeanangel—orabeast.

Who,youwillsay,isignorantofhisownnature?

Manyare—perhapsallbutafew.Ifyoulike,Iwillshowyoutheproofofit.

Tell me, what is man? If you were asked, could you answer these questions rightaway:Inwhatpartishedifferentfromtheanimals?InwhatisheliketheinhabitantsofHeaven?Whatcanbemadeofman?

Forasinthecaseofanyothermaterial,sointhiscase:manisthematerial,butfromthismaterialcanbemadeeitheranangelorabeast.Doesn’t thatsoundstrangetoyou?YetyouhaveoftenhearditintheScriptures.Forofcertainhumanbeingsitwassaid,“HeistheangeloftheLord,”and“menshouldseekinstructionfromhismouth,”andagain,“Isendmyangeltopreparethewaybeforeme”(Mal.3:1)—butthenofsome,“Youbroodofvipers!”(Matt.12:34).

So,then,italldependsontheuse.



AmIusuallymorelikeanangelorabeast?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyGuardianAngel,turnmythoughtsawayfrombasedesiresandtowardheavenlythings,sothatImaybe,accordingtomycapacity,anangeloftheLord.

Praytolivelikeanangel

IntheOurFather,weaskthatGod’swillbedoneonEarthasitisinHeaven.Whatdoesthatmean?We’reasking,St.CyrilofAlexandriaexplains,forthepowertolivelivesliketheangelsinHeaven,whoalwaysdoGod’swill.

“YourwillbedoneonEarthasitisinHeaven.”

Letusexaminethispartoftheprayer,foritwillbeveryprofitableforthesalvationofoursouls.WhydidhecommandthesaintstosaytoGodtheFatherinHeaven,“YourwillbedoneonearthasitisinHeaven”?

Thispetition isworthyof thesaints,and fullofpraise.Asking that thegoodwillofGod may prevail on earth—what else is it but to ask that all humanity may leadpraiseworthyandelectlives,andpracticeandknowallvirtue?Wesaythattheholyangelslive in glory in Heaven this way: for it is written, “Bless the Lord, all his hosts, hisministers that do hiswill!” (Ps. 103:21). For by clinging to thewill of their Lord, andfulfilling that righteousness which transcends human things, they preserve their highplace,whereasthosewhoactedotherwisefellfromthatposition.

But to summarize and put together briefly themeaning of the words, we ask thatpowermay be given to thosewho live on earth to do thewill ofGod, and imitate theconductoftheholyangelsinHeaven.

Letussee,therefore,aswellaswecan,howthepowersaboveandtheranksoftheholyangelssuccessfullyperformtheirduty.HowdotheyhonorGod?Isitbysacrificesofblood? Is itbyperfumeand frankincense,as indeed the Israelafter the fleshdid?No, Ithinkitwouldbecompletelyunbelievableeithertothinkortosaythat.Instead,itwouldbetruetosaythattheyperformaspiritualandnotamaterialservice,alwayscrowningtheCreatorofallwithlaudsandpraises,andfulfillingthatrighteousnesswhichissuitabletoholyspirits.



IsmycommonwealthinHeavenwiththeangelsnow?OramIstillmoreacitizenofEarththanofHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, give peace to my soul, and deemme worthy to live with the angels in yourheavenlykingdom.

Asktobelikeanangel

Godwon’thearyourprayerifyouaskhimtocursesomeoneyouhate,saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria.Youshouldbeaskingforthespiritualgiftsthatwillmakeyoupartofthecompanyoftheangels.

Whenyouaskforanyonetodieorbeexposedtoinevitabletortures,becausetheyhave annoyedormolestedyou in anyway,Godwill not grant it. For hewills us to belong-sufferinginmind,andnottopayanyonebackwithevilforevil,buttoprayforthosewhostealfromus,todogoodtothosewhoinjureus,andtobeimitatorsofhiskindness.

ForthisreasonSolomonwaspraised:whenofferingupprayerstoGod,hesaid,“Giveyourservantahearttohear,andtojudgeyourpeoplerighteously”(1Kings3:6-9).AnditpleasedtheLordthatSolomonaskedthisthing.AndwhatdidGod,wholovesvirtue,saytohim?“Becauseyouhaveaskedthis,andhavenotaskedforyourselflonglifeorrichesorthelifeofyourenemies,buthaveaskedforyourselfunderstandingtodiscernwhatisright,behold,Inowdoaccordingtoyourword.Behold,Igiveyouawiseanddiscerningmind”(1Kings3:11-12).

You,therefore,shouldaskGodtogiveyouabundantspiritualgifts.Askforstrength,sothatyoumaybeabletoresisteveryfleshlylustwithvigor.AskGodforanuncovetousdisposition, long suffering, gentleness, and the mother and nurse of all good—I meanpatience.Askforcalmnessof temper,continence,apureheart;and further,askalso forthewisdomthatcomesfromGod.

These things hewill give readily.These save the soul.Thesework in it that betterbeauty, and imprintGod’s image in it.This is the spiritualwealth, the riches thatneverneedtobeabandoned.Theseprepareforusthelotofthesaints,andmakeusmembersofthecompanyoftheholyangels.



Domydesires renderme fit to share the companyof the angels?Do I alwayswillgoodthings,andneverevil,forothers?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,makemeperfectinpiety,astheangelsare,andleadmequicklytothehopeofeternallife,andmakemeheirofthekingdomofHeaven,bytheaidofChrist,theSaviorofusall;bywhom,andwithwhom,toGodtheFatherbepraiseanddominion,withtheHolySpirit,foreverandever.

Lovemakesusangels

St. JohnChrysostomsays that lovemakesanangeloutof theonewho loves.Reallovedeliversusfromalltheevilthoughtsthatkeepusfromtheserenityweshouldbeenjoying.

Look at love—see how it spreads everywhere and manages everything (1 Cor.13:5-6).Butdonotbewearyuntilyouhavegottoknowthisgoldenchaincompletely.Forhavingsaidthat“lovedoesnotinsistonitsownway,”hegoesontotellusthegoodthingsthatcomefromthis.

Andwhatarethey?

“It is not irritable or resentful.” See how love not only subdues vice, but does notevenallowitafootholdatall.Hedidn’tsay,“thoughirritated,itovercomes,”butitisnotevenirritable.Hedidn’tsayitdoesnoevil,butitdoesn’teventhinkofevil.Sofarfromthinkingupevil,itdoesnotevensuspectitofthebeloved.Iflovecannotevenenduretoadmitanevilsuspicion,howcouldshedoanyevil,orhowcouldshebeirritated?

“Itdoesnotrejoiceatwrong”—that is, itdoesnotfeelpleasurewhensomeoneelsesuffers.And not only that, but also,which ismuch greater, “rejoices in the right.” Shefeels pleasure, he says,with thosewho arewell spokenof: asPaul says, “Rejoicewiththosewhorejoice,weepwiththosewhoweep”(Rom.12:15).Thisiswhylovedoesnotenvyorboast:sheactuallycountsthegoodthingsofothersasherown.

Doyouseehow lovemakesherchildanangel stepbystep?Whenwearevoidofanger,andpurefromenvy,andfreefromeverytyrannicalpassion,thenyoucanseethatwearedelivered fromhumannature from thenon, andhavearrived inport at theveryserenityoftheangels.

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily23on1Corinthians


HowwelldomyactualrelationswiththepeoplearoundmematchwhatSt.Paulsaysaboutlove?Inmyfamily,amongmyfriends,howfaramIfromtheserenityoftheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,breatheintomysoulthesweetfragranceofyourlove,andleadmetowardthesereneloveyourangelsknowinHeaven.

Virtuemakesangels

Humannatureisnobarriertolivinganangeliclife,saysSt.JohnChrysostom.Theevil angelswere expelled fromHeaven, but virtuous humans have been taken intoHeaven.

ButwhydoIstopatangel?AhumanbeingcanbecomeGod,andachildofGod—forwehave read,“I say, ‘Youaregods, sonsof theMostHigh,allofyou’” (Ps.82:6).Andwhat’smore,thepowertobecomebothGodandangelandchildofGodisputintoourownhands!Yes, really—ahumanbeingcanbe themakerofanangel!Thisstartlesyou,perhaps?ButhearChrist:“Forintheresurrectiontheyneithermarrynoraregiveninmarriage, but are like angels inHeaven” (Matt. 22:30), and “Hewho is able to receivethis,lethimreceiveit”(Matt.19:12).

Inshort, it’svirtuethatmakesangels.Butvirtueiswithinourpower!Thereforeweareabletomakeangels—ifnotinnature,certainlyinwill.

Afterall,withoutvirtue,it’snoadvantagetobeanangel.Thedevilisaproofofthis:hewasanangelonce.Butwithvirtue, it’sno loss tobehumanbynature—andJohn isproofofthis,whowasaman,andElijah,whowentupintoHeaven,andallthosewhoareabout to depart forHeaven.These humanbeings had bodies, but that didn’t keep themfromlivinginHeaven—buttheevilspirits,thoughtheyhadnobodies,couldnotremaininHeaven.

Soyoushouldn’tbegrievedorangryatyournatureasifitwereahindrancetoyou.It’syourwillthat’sahindrancetoyou.



Do I sometimes give up in the face of strong temptation and say, “It’s just humannature”?Does ithelp to remember that Ihave thepower tomakemyownnaturemoreangelic?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,Ibegaidfromyouforthestrengtheningofmysoul,sothatinperfectloveandtruefaithImaycareforeverythingtheFatherhasgivenme.

Wecanbealmostangels—ifwewant

Whatifyoufoundanenormousdiamond—butyouthrewitawaybecauseyouthoughtitwasadoorknob?Wouldn’t thatbeahuge loss toyou?In thesameway,saysSt.JohnChrysostom,you’remissinganenormoustreasureifyoudon’trealizewhatyourhumannatureiscapableof.

Thedevilwas incorporeal,buthebecamea lion—look, it says,“Youradversarythedevilprowlsaroundlikearoaringlion,seekingsomeonetodevour”(1Pet.5:8).

Butwewerecorporeal,andwebecomeangels.

Ifsomeoneshouldfindsomepreciousmetal,andnotcareaboutitatallbecausehe’snot a craftsman, itwould be a great loss to him—or if he should see pearls, or a pearlshell,oranyotherthingofthatsort.Inthesameway,ifweareignorantofourownnature,we won’t care about it at all—but if we know what it is, we’ll work hard and reapenormous profits. From this nature a king’s robe is made—and a king’s palace, and aking’smembers.We’reallkingly.

So letusnotmisuseournatureanddoourselvesharm thatway.Hehasmadeusalittlelowerthantheangels(Ps.8:5)—lower,Imean,becauseofdeath,buteventhatlittlewehavenowrecovered.Sothereisnothingtokeepusfrombecomingneartotheangelsifwewant.Let’swantit!Let’swantit,andhavinggivenitourbesteffort,letusgivehonorto the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, world without end.Amen.



Do my desires tend to focus on money or success? How can I focus them onbecomingneartotheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Glory to you,O Lord—glory to you for your unutterably precious gift of a humannaturecapableofbeingmadeequaltotheangels.

Likeangelsonearth

St.AmbrosetellsusthatthedeathandresurrectionofChristactuallychangedhumannature,makinguscapableofsharingthegraceofanewcreation.Wedon’thavetowaituntilwedie:throughChrist,wecanlivelikeangelsonearth.

ThisiswhyhisgraceandgoodnesshavebeenformeduponusinChristJesus:sothat, thoughweweredeadaccordingtoworks,wecouldberedeemedthroughfaithandsavedbygrace,and receive thegiftof thisgreatdeliverance.Ourverynature, raised inhim, so to speak, now shares in the grace of a new creation.We are newly created inChrist.Before,wehadfallenawaythroughthecorruptionofourguiltyancestry,butnowwecanwalkingoodworks.

Now that the strife that existed in the flesh before has been removed, a universalpeace has beenmade inHeaven.Humanbeings can be like angels upon earth, and theGentilesand Jewscanbemadeone, andboth thenewandoldmancanbeunited—themiddlewallofpartition,which,likeahostilebarrier,hadoncedividedthem,hasbrokendown.Whenthenatureofourfleshhadstirredupanger,discord,anddissension,andthelawhadbounduswiththechainsofcondemnation,ChristJesussubduedthewantonnessandintemperanceofthefleshbymortification,andmadevoidthelawofcommandmentcontainedinordinances.InthatwayhedeclaredthatthedecreesofthespiritualLawarenot to be interpreted according to the letter. He put an end to the slothful rest of theSabbathandtothesuperfluousriteofoutwardcircumcision,andopenedaccessforallbyoneSpirittotheFather.Forhowcantherebeanydiscord,wherethereisonecalling,onebody,andonespirit?



What’sthefirstthingI’dhavetochangeaboutmylifeifIreallywantedtolivelikeanangelonearth?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lordwhocreatedme,broughtmetolife,andshowedmethewaytosalvation,sendyourholyangelstome,sothatImayliveaccordingtoyourWord.

RejoiceinGod’spower,notyourown

Ifyouwanttoimpresspeoplewithyourpower,saysSt.Augustine,yourprioritiesareallwrong.YouhavefarmorerealpowerifyourwillisinlinewithGod’s.Insteadofdoingwhatanangeldoes,youcanbewhatanangelis.

ThosewhoseekGodthroughthosepowersthatruleovertheworld,orpartsoftheworld, are removed and flung far away from him—not by distances in space, but bydifference of affections. They try to find a path outwardly, and abandonwhat is insidethemselves,whichiswhereGodis.

Theymayhaveheardsomeholyheavenlypower,ormayhavethoughtofitsomehow.Buttheycovetitsdeeds,whichhumanweaknessmarvelsat,anddonotimitatethepietybywhichdivine rest isgained.Throughpride, theywould ratherbeable todowhatanangeldoes,insteadof,throughdevotion,beingwhatanangelis.

Fornoholybeingrejoicesinhisownpower,butrejoicesinthepowerofGod,whogiveshimthepowerappropriateforhimtohave.TheholybeingknowsthatitismoreofasignofpowertobeunitedtotheOmnipotentbyapiouswillthantobeable,byhisownpowerandwill,todothingsthatmakeotherswhocannotdothemtremble.



Bylettinggoofmyfoolishpride,St.Augustinesays, Icanbewhatanangel is—ajoyfulservantofGod.Lookingatmyselfhonestly,howmuchdoIworryaboutimpressingotherpeople?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,makemeworthy to serve youas faithfully as yourangels do, so thatwhen Iboast,Imayboastonlyinyou.

“Thywillbedone”

Whatdoesitmeanwhenwepray,“Thywillbedone,onEarthasitisinHeaven”?Itmeans that we should be as ready to do God’s will as the angels are, says St.Augustine.

Inthethirdpetitionwesay,“Thywillbedone,onearthasitisinHeaven.”

Whatdoesthismean?Itmeans,“AstheangelsserveyouinHeaven,letusserveyouthatwayonEarth.”

For his holy angels obey him. They do not offend him. They do his commandsbecause they love him. This is what we pray for, then: that we may also do God’scommandsinlove.

Wecanalsounderstandthesewordsanotherway.“Thywillbedone,onEarthasitisinHeaven.”Heavenis thesoul;Earthis thebody.Thenwhatdoesitmeantosay,“Thywillbedone,onEarthasit is inHeaven?”Itmeans,“Aswehearyourteaching,letourfleshconsent tous.” If fleshand spirit are fighting,wewillnotbeable to fulfillGod’scommands.

–St.Augustine,Sermon9ontheNewTestament,5


AmIreadytotakeGod’sassignmentanddohiswillastheangelsdo?WhatisGodaskingmetodorightnowthatI’mavoidingdoing?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MyGuardianAngel,teachmetolove,pray,andfightthegoodfightonEarth,sothatImayfaithfullyreflectyourlifeofserviceinHeaven.

PeacecomesfrombeingregulatedbyGod

Godcreateseverythingsothatitallworkstogetherwhenitfollowshiswill,saysSt.GregorytheGreat.Wheneverhiscreationsresisthim,theylosethatpeace,becauseitisonlypossiblewhen thingsareregulatedbyGod.Satan’spunishmentcomes fromgoingagainsthisownnature.

God,whocreatesallthingsmarvelously,regulatesthemhimselfsothat,aftertheyhavebeencreated, theyagreewith themselves.Whenever any resistance ismade to theCreator,thatagreementinpeaceisbrokenup,becausethingscanneverbewellregulatedwhen they lose themanagementof regulation fromabove.Things thatwould still havebeenatpeaceiftheyweresubjecttoGodmakeconfusionbytheirownactwhentheyareleft to themselves, because, when they fight against the Creator, they do not find inthemselvesthatpeacethatcomesfromabove.

Thus the highest angelic spirit,whomight have stood at the height if he had beensubjecttoGod,hasbeenbanished,andnowhastobeartheburdenofhimself.Heroamsuncomfortable in his own nature. In the sameway, the first parent of the human race,because he went against the Creator’s command, was immediately exposed to theinsolenceoftheflesh.Hewaslaidlowbeneathhimself;becausehewouldnotbesubjecttohisMakerinobedience,heevenlostthepeaceofthebody.

Thusitiswellsaid,“whohathresistedhim,andhathhadpeace?”(Job9:4).



Ismyownnature,likeSatan’s,makingmeuncomfortableinsomewaythatshowsmeI’mnotintunewithGod’swill?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,tunemynaturetoyourwill,andteachmetobeashumblebeforeyourpowerasthegloriousangelsinHeavenare.

Watchingforthevision

Inaverse fromthePsalms,St.Augustineseesametaphor for theChurchonearthandtheChurchtocome.OurwholepurposeonearthistoprepareusforthatangeliclifeChristpromisedus.

“SingpraisestotheLord,whodwellsinZion!”(Ps.9:11).

This is addressed to those whom the Lord does not forsake as they seek him. HedwellsinZion,whichmeanswatching,andwhichistheimageoftheChurchthatexistsnow—asJerusalemistheimageoftheChurchthatistocome:thatis,thecityofthesaintsalreadyenjoyingtheangeliclife.ForJerusalemmeansvisionofpeace.

Now,watchingcomesbeforevision,asthisChurchgoesbeforetheonepromised,theimmortalandeternalcity.Butitcomesbeforeintime,notindignity.Themorehonorablethingistheonewestrivetoward,nottheonewearepracticingnow.Wepracticewatchingnow,sothatwemaygettovision.

Butnomatterhowcarefullywewatch,unlessGoddwells in theChurch thatexistsnow, it could fall into all sorts of errors. This is the church towhich itwas said, “ForGod’stempleisholy,andthattempleyouare”(1Cor.3:17),and,“thatChristmaydwellinyourheartsthroughfaith”(Eph.3:17).

SowearetoldtosingpraisestotheLord,whodwellsinZion,sothatwithoneaccordwewill praise theLord,whodwells in theChurch. Show forth hiswonders among theheathen.Ithasbeendone,anditwillneverceasebeingdone.



DoIrecognizethat“theangeliclife”isthelifeoftheChurchonearth,evennow?DoIgivemyselfentirelytothislifethroughmyparticipationintheparish?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MaythegloriousnameoftheLordbepraisedandglorified,inHeavenandonEarth,inallthingsnowandforever.

Povertyisthelifeoftheangels

St.JohnChrysostomlivedinatimemuchlikeourown,wheneveryoneseemedtobetrying to get rich quick. Butwhy, he asks, do youwant to be rich?Poverty is thesecurelife.Wealthisconstantworry,butpovertyisthecarefreelifeoftheangels.

Butsinceitisrightnotonlytolamentandtoblame,butalsotocorrect,let’sseewhythispassionandthisevilhavebecomeanobjectofdesiretoyou.

Why,then—whyhaswealthcometobeanobjectofdesire?Because,yousay,itputsmeinhonorandinsecurity.Iask,inwhatkindofsecurity?Itmakesmeconfident,yousay,thatIwon’tsufferhungerorcold,orbehurt,orbedespised.

Well,then,ifIpromiseyouthatsecurity,willyourefrainfrombeingrich?Ifthisiswhy riches are an object of desire, then if you can have security without riches, whywouldyouneedrichesanymore?

Andhowisitpossible,yousay,tohavethatsecurityifyou’renotrich?Well,Isaytheopposite:howisitpossibleifyouarerich?

Tobe rich youhave to flattermany, both rulers and subjects, and to beg countlessnumbersofpeople,andtobeabaseslave,andtoliveinfearandtrembling,andtoregardtheeyesoftheenviouswithsuspicion,andtofearthetonguesoffalseaccusers,andthedesiresofothercovetoustypes.

But poverty isn’t like that. It’s completely the opposite. It’s a place of refuge andsecurity,acalmharbor,agymnasiumandfitnesscentertolearnself-control,animitationofthelifeofangels.

Hearthesethings,allyouwhoarepoor—andespeciallyallyouwhowanttoberich.It’snotpovertyweshouldbeafraidof,butnotbeingwillingtobepoor.



Nomatter howmuch money I have, or don’t have, am I living a life of spiritualpoverty—ofself-controlandtrustinGod,liketheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Guardian Angel, help me to know what you know: that I am rich with spiritualtreasures—andIknowthismorekeenlythemoreIamdetachedfrommaterialtreasures.

Leavegreedbehindtobeequaltotheangels

Therearecountlesspoorpeopleandonlyafewrich.Sowhydidtheapostles,allofthempoor,worryabouttheirownsalvationwhenJesustoldthemhowharditwasforarichmantogetintoHeaven?Because,says,St.Augustine,theyknewhewasreallytalkingaboutcovetousness.

Whentheyweresaying,“Whothencanbesaved?”weretheythinkingofthefewrichpeople?Had they forgottenhowmanypoorpeople there are?Couldn’t they say tothemselves, “So it’s hard—even impossible—for a camel to go through the eye of aneedle.Butwon’tallthepoorpeoplegotoHeaven,andonlytherichbeleftout?”

Therearenotmanyrichpeople,buttherearecountlessthousandsofpoorpeople.Wewon’t lookat theirclothes in thekingdomofHeaven,but the radianceof righteousnesswill be everyone’s garment. So there will be poor people equal to the angels of God.Clothedwiththestolesofimmortality,theywillshinelikethesuninthekingdomoftheirFather.

Thenwhyshouldweworryorfussaboutafewrichpeople?

Thisisn’twhattheapostlesthought.AssoonastheLordhadsaid,“ItiseasierforacameltogothroughtheeyeofaneedlethanforarichmantoenterthekingdomofGod,”theysaidtothemselves,“Whothencanbesaved?”

Whatdidtheymeanbythat?

Theyweren’ttalkingaboutactualwealth.Theyweretalkingaboutdesires.Theysawthateventhepoorwhodon’thavemoneydohavecovetousness.AndJesuswasn’ttalkingabouttherichman’smoney,butaboutcovetousness.

Abraham had plenty of gold, silver, livestock, servants. He was a rich man. AndLazarus—apoorman—iscarriedtoAbraham’sbosom.Thepoormaniscarriedtotherichman’sbosom—becausetheyarebothrichmeninGod,andbothpoormeningreed.



Weliveinaverymaterialisticsociety.Inkeepingpurelyspiritualcompany,wewillourselvesbecomemorelikethepurespirits.

CLOSINGPRAYER

Angel of God, deliver me from covetousness, and direct my gaze always towardHeaven.

Theangelicvirtueofdetachment

WhydoesGodletbadthingshappentogoodpeople?DionysiustheAreopagitetellsus that it’s not really unfair at all. In fact, it would be unfair to weaken braveChristiansbylettingthemgetattachedtoearthlythings.Whentheyhavetostruggleonearth,theycomenearertothevirtueoftheangels.

But someonemay say, “It isnot themarkof justice to leavepiousmenwithoutassistancewhentheyaregrounddownbyevilmen.”

To thiswemust reply that, if thosewhomyoucall piousdo indeed love thingsonearth,whicharezealously soughtafterby theearthly, theyhavecompletely fallen fromthedivine love.AndIdonotknowhowtheycouldbecalledpious,whentheyunjustlytreat the divine things that are truly worthy of love, and instead give what is reallyundesirableandunlovablefirstplaceintheiresteem.

But, if they love the realities, theywhodesire certain thingsought to rejoicewhentheyattainthethingsdesired.Aretheynotthennearertheangelicvirtues,when,asfaraspossible,byaspiringtodivinethings,theywithdrawfromtheaffectionforearthlythings,courageouslystrivingthroughtheirperilsonbehalfofthebeautiful?

Itistrue,then,tosaythatthisisratherapropertyofthedivinejustice:nottopamperanddestroy thebraveryof thebestby thegiftsofearthly things,nor, ifanyoneshouldattempttodothis,toleavethemwithoutassistance,buttoestablishthemintheexcellentand harsh condition, and to give to them, because they are brave, such things that areappropriateforthem.



WhenIcan’thavethethingsIloveonthisearth,doIletthatseparatemefromGod—theway covetousness separated Satan and his angels fromHeaven?Or do I try to getclosertoGod,withtheloyalangels,andmakehimtheonerealobjectofmyaspiration?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyGuardianAngel,teachmetolivewithangelicdetachment.TurnmyeyestothetruetreasuresofHeaven,andawayfromthetransitorypleasuresofthislife.

Fastingmakesusangels—butprayercomesfirst

Fasting,saysSt.JohnChrysostom,isanextraordinarilypowerfulthing.Itmakesusmortalsintoangels,anditfightsthedemonicpowers.Butmoreimportanteventhanfastingispraying—andevenifyou’retooweaktofast,youcanstillpray.

Fastingbrings considerable power. It trains us in strictness, andmakes amortalintoanangel,andfightsagainstthedemons.Butitdoesn’tdothesethingsbyitself.Prayerisneededtoo—andprayermustcomefirst.

WhydidChristgouponthemountain?Toteachusthat lonelinessandsolitudearegoodwhenwepraytoGod.Thisiswhyyouseehimgoingawayintothewildernessallthetime,oftenspendingthewholenightthereinprayer.He’steachingusthat,whenwepray, we should look for the kind of quiet you find at that time in that place. Thewilderness is themother of quiet. It is a calmplace, a harbor, that delivers us fromallstorms.

Blessingscomefrombothfastingandpraying.Ifyou’reprayingthewayyoushould,youdon’thavemanyneeds;andifyoudon’thavemanyneeds,youcan’tbecovetous;andif you’re not covetous, you’re more likely to give alms. If you fast, you’re light andwinged;youprayalertly,andputdownyourwickedlusts,andreconcileyourselftoGod,andhumbleyoursoulwhenyou’re liftedup.This iswhyeventheapostleswerealmostalwaysfasting.

Ifyouprayandfast,youhavedoublewings.You’relighterthanthewinditself.Andevenifyourbodyistooweaktofastcontinually,it’sstillnottooweaktopray.

–St.JohnChrysostom,HomilyonSt.Matthew41,1.57


DoIlookatprayerastheangelsdo—asmysustenance,mylimbs,mylife?IsthereatimeandplacewhereIcanpraywithoutdistractions?DoImakeuseofiteveryday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, grant me a time when I can be silent in the presence of your angels, andmeditateonnothingearthly,butonlyonyou.

Angelsappearwhenyouwinnowthewheat

You’renotlikelytoreceivetheinnertruthsoftheLord,saysSt.GregorytheGreat,unlessyouseparateyourselffromexternalthingsthatleadyouaway.

“Andhetookapotsherdwithwhichtoscrapehimself,andsatamongtheashes”(Job2:8).

This iswhyourRedeemercame—toscrape the scabsoffourwounds, so to speak,whenhesaid,“Youhaveheardthatitwassaid,‘Youshallnotcommitadultery.’ButIsaytoyouthateveryonewholooksatawomanlustfullyhasalreadycommittedadulterywithherinhisheart.”

Thescab is scrapedoffwhensin is separatednotonly from thedeed,but from thethoughtaswell.ThisiswhyJerubbaalsawtheangelwhenhewaswinnowingcornfromthechaff.Ontheangel’sorders,heimmediatelydressedakidandsetitonarock,andpouredoveritthebrothofthemeat.Thentheangeltoucheditwitharock,andfirecameoutoftherockandburneditup(Judg.6:11-21).

Whatisbeatingcornwitharodbutseparatingthegrainsofvirtuefromthechaffofviceswitharighteousjudgment?Theangelappearstothosewhodothat—meaningthat,the more earnestly you get rid of external things, the more likely the Lord is tocommunicateinnertruths.



EvenifI’mseparatedfrommostobvioussins,howcompletelydoIseparatemyselffromsinfulthoughts?AmIwinnowinghardenoughtoseetheangel?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,IknowthatyouarewithmeevenwhenIcannotseeyou.Givemeyouraidinresistingtemptation,andstandbymeasIwinnowthechafffrommylife.

Livingliketheangels

St.Macrina,agreatChristianteacher,showedherownmotherhowtolivealifeofasceticismandmeditation—alifethatherbrother,St.GregoryofNyssa,describesasbeinglittledifferentfromthelifeoftheangels.

When thecaresofbringingupa familyand theanxietiesof their educationandsettlinginlifehadcometoanend,andtheproperty—afrequentcauseofworldliness—hadbeenforthemostpartdividedamongthechildren,then,asIsaidearlier,thelifeofthevirginbecamehermother’sguideandledherontothisphilosophicandspiritualmanneroflife.

Weaning her from all accustomed luxuries,Macrina drewher on to adopt her ownstandard of humility. She induced her to live on a footing of equalitywith the staff ofmaids,sharingwiththeminthesamefood,thesamekindofbed,andinallthenecessariesoflife,withoutanyregardtodifferencesofrank.

Suchwasthemanneroftheirlife,sogreattheheightoftheirphilosophy,andsoholytheirconductdayandnight,thatitcannotbedescribedinwords.Justassoulsfreedfromthebodybydeatharesavedfromthecaresofthislife,sowastheirlifefarremovedfromall earthly follies and arranged with a view of imitating the angelic life. No anger orjealousy,nohatredorpride,wasobserved in theirmidst,noranythingelseof that sort,sincetheyhadcastawayallvaindesiresforhonorandglory,allvanity,arrogance,andsoon.Continencewas their luxury, and obscurity their glory. Poverty, and throwing awayuselessluxurieslikedustfromtheirbodies,wastheirwealth.Nothingwasleftbutthecareofdivinethingsandtheunceasingroundofprayer.

Livinginthebodyandyetinthesamewayasoftheimmaterialbeings,theywerenotboweddownby theweightof thebody,but their lifewasexalted to theskies,and theywalkedonhighincompanywiththepowersofHeaven.

–St.GregoryofNyssa,LifeofSt.Macrina


Aretherematerial thingsthatkeepmefrombeingasclosetoGodasIshouldbe—livingastheangelsdo—thingsthatIcouldeasilydowithout?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,onedayyouwilltakeagainwhatyouhavegiven,transfiguringwithimmortalityandgraceourmortalandunsightlyremains.Givemeanangeloflighttoconductmetotheplaceofrefreshment,whereisthewaterofrest,inthebosomoftheholyFathers.

Choosinganangel’slife

St.Augustinewritestoexpresshisjoyathearingthatthedaughterofanillustriousfamily has chosen to become a nun. It’s a glorious thing to be the mother of anextensivefamily,hesays,butevenmoreglorioustobelongcompletelytoChrist.

Whocandeclare inwords,orexpoundwithadequatepraises,howincomparablygreater is the glory and advantage gained by your family in giving to Christ womenconsecrated to his service, than in giving to theworldmen called to the honors of theconsulship?Forifitbeagreatandnoblethingtoleavethemarkofanhonoredladyuponthe revolving ages of thisworld, howmuch greater and nobler is it to rise above it byunsulliedchastitybothofheartandofbody!

Letthismaiden,therefore,illustriousinherpedigree,yetmoreillustriousinherpiety,findgreaterjoyinobtaining,throughespousalstoherdivineLord,apreeminentgloryinHeaven,thanshecouldhavehadinbecoming,throughespousaltoahumanconsort,themotherofa lineof illustriousmen.Thisdaughterof thehouseofAniciushasacted themoremagnanimouspart, in choosing rather tobring ablessingon that noble familybyforbearingfrommarriage,thantoincreasethenumberofitsdescendants,preferringtobealreadyliketheangelsinthepurityofherbody,ratherthantoincreasebythefruitofherbodythenumberofmortals.

Let the virgins who covet the glory of the Anician family be ambitious rather toemulateitspiety;forthegloryliesbeyondtheirreach,howevereagerlytheymaydesireit,butthepietywillbeintheirpossessionatonceiftheyseekitwithfulldesire.



HowcouldIgivemoresupporttoyoungwomentodaywhochoosetoliveanangel’slife?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,hearmyprayer forallwhochoose the lifeof theangels—the lifeofvirginity,celibacy,andservicetoyou.

Virginityistomarriageasangelistohuman

God forbidwe should say anything againstmarriage, says St. John ofDamascus.Afterall,Christhimself honoredmarriageasaguestat thewedding inCana.Butvirginityisahigherstate—animitationoftheangels.

Virginityistheruleoflifeamongtheangels,thepropertyofallincorporealnature.We say thiswithout speaking ill ofmarriage—God forbid! Forwe know that the LordblessedmarriagebyHispresence(John2:1),andweknowhimwhosaid,“Letmarriagebeheldinhonoramongall,andletthemarriagebedbeundefiled”(Heb.13:4).

But we know that virginity is better thanmarriage, however good. For among thevirtues, just as among the vices, there are higher and lower grades.We know that allmortalsafterthefirstparentsoftheracearetheoffspringofmarriage.(Thefirstparentsweretheworkofvirginityandnotofmarriage.)Butcelibacyis,aswesaid,animitationofthe angels. For that reason, virginity is as muchmore honorable thanmarriage, as theangelishigherthanahumanbeing.

ButwhydoI sayangel?ChristHimself is thegloryofvirginity,whowasnotonlybegottenoftheFatherwithoutbeginningoremissionorconnection,butalsobecamemanin our image, being made flesh for our sakes of the Virgin without connection, andmanifestinginhimselfthetrueandperfectvirginity.

Therefore,althoughhedidnotcommandus tovirginityby law(forasHesaid,noteveryonecan receive this saying (Matt. 19:11)), yet in actual fact he taughtus that andgaveusstrengthforit.Foritissurelycleartoeveryonethatvirginitynowisflourishingamongus.



Inmyprayer, am I praying to the guardian angels of the priests and religiouswhoserveme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,sendyourholyangelstoprotectallthosewhohaveconsecratedtheirlivestoyourservice.

Livingtheresurrectedlifenow

Thosewhohave takenvowsof chastity, saysSt.Ambrose,are living the lifeof theangels now—the life we will all live after the Resurrection. There is a specialbrightnessreservedfortheminHeaven.

Butyouwhohavetakenthevowalready,chastenyourbodiesmorestrictly,anddonot allow yourselves to loosen the reins of desire even after those things that arepermitted.Youshouldnotonlyturnawayfromanunlawfulconnection,butdespiseevenalawfullook.

Remember,inwhicheversexyouare,whethermenorwomen,thatyouareleadingonearth the life of angels: for the angels are neither given in marriage nor marry (Mark12:25).Thisiswhatwewillbelikewhenwehaverisenagain.Howmuchbetterareyou,whobeforedeathbegintobewhatallofuswillbeaftertheresurrection!

Keepyourproperdegrees,forGodkeepsforyouyourhonors.TheresurrectionofthedeadiscomparedtothestarsthataresetinHeaven.Onestardiffersfromanotherstaringlory,astheApostlesays;soalsoistheresurrectionofthedead.Inonewayvirginitywillshine there, in anotherwedded chastitywill shine there, after another holywidowhoodwill shine there. Theywill shine in differentways, but allwill be there—the brillianceunequal,theHeaventhesame.

–St.Ambrose,Sermon82ontheNewTestament,3


EvenifI’mnotcalledtoavowofchastitymyself,howcanIhelpandencouragethepeopleinmycommunitywhoareleadingonearththelifeofangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,sendyourangelstoguardallyourholydeacons,priests,bishops,monks,andnunsthroughouttheworld.

Virginityisheavenonearth

Consecratedvirginity,saysSt.GregoryofNyssa,issomethinglikeHeavenonEarth.ChristpromisedthatwewouldliveastheangelsliveinHeaven;butwhoevergivesupmarriageforChrist’ssakeisalready,inaway,livingthelifeoftheangels.

Infact,thelifeofvirginityseemstobeanactualrepresentationoftheblessednessintheworldtocome.Initselfitshowsmanysignsoftheanticipatedblessingsreservedforusthere.

Tohelpyouseehowthisstatementistrue,thisiswhyIsayit:

First,becauseamanwhohasthusdiedtosinonceandforalllivesforthefuturetoGod.Hebringsforthnomorefruituntodeath.Hehasmadeanendofthislifewithinhimaccordingtotheflesh,at leastasmuchashecan.Fromthenon,heawaits theexpectedblessing of the appearance of the great God, and he keeps himself from putting anydistancebetweenhimselfandthiscomingofGodbyaninterveningposterity.

Secondly,becauseeven in thispresent lifeheenjoysacertainexquisitegloryofalltheblessedresultsofourresurrection.ForourLordhasannouncedthatthelifeafterourresurrectionwillbelikethelifeoftheangels.Nowthepeculiarityoftheangelicnatureisthat they are strangers to marriage. So the blessing of this promise has been alreadyreceivedbysomeonewhohasnotonlymingledhisownglorywiththehaloofthesaints,butalsobythestainlessnessofhislifehasimitatedthepurityoftheincorporealangels.

Ifvirginitycanwinusfavorslikethese,whatwordsarefittoexpresshowmuchweadmiresogreatagrace?Wherecanwefindanothergiftofthesoulthatissogreatandsopreciousthatitdoesnotsufferbycomparisonwiththisperfection?

–St.GregoryofNyssa,OnVirginity,13


EvenifIhavenotbeencalledtoconsecratedvirginity,canIarrangemylifesothatIlive,astheangelsdo,moreforGodthanformyself?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holy angels, watch over our priests, monks, nuns, and all consecrated virginseverywhere,andkeepthemstrongintheirtrials.

Keeptothestraightandnarrow

Humanintegrity,saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria,isnotthesameastheintegrityoftheangels,whoaresuperiortousbynature.Butwestillneedtodoasmuchaswecanwithinourhumancapacitytokeeptothestraightandnarrow.

NowIconsideritmydutytomentionwhythedooris“narrow”throughwhichwegointolife.

Whoever wants to enter must necessarily possess—first and foremost—an uprightanduncorrupted faith. Second is a spotlessmorality, inwhich there is no possibility ofblame,according to themeasureofhumanrighteousness.Forso theprophetDavidalsosomewhere says, very excellently wording his prayer to God, “Judge me, O Lord,accordingtomyrighteousnessandaccordingtotheintegritythatisinme”(Ps.7:8).Fortheintegrityorrighteousnessoftheholyangels,sinceitisinproportiontotheirnatureandglory, is entirely distinct from the kind that belongs to the inhabitants of earth. Ourintegrity is of a lower kind, and inferior in every respect, just aswe are inferior to theangelsinnature.

Nevertheless, those who wish to live a holy life cannot do so without labor. Thepathway,sotospeak,thatleadstovirtueisalwaysruggedandsteep,andformostofustoodifficulttowalkon.Laborsspringupbeforeus,andwecertainlyneedfortitude,andpatience, and nobility in our behavior—and we especially need a mind that cannot beprevailedon to takepart in immoral anddegradingpleasures, or tobe ledby irrationalimpulsesintocarnallust.

Whoeverhasreachedthisstateofmindandspiritualfortitudewillentereasilybythestraightdoor,andrunalongthenarrowway.



CouldIbeinbettershapemorallyifIweremorediligentinenlistingthehelpofmyguardianangel?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpmetobeworthyofGod’sperfectmercy.Makemypathstraight,andkeepmegroundedinthefearoftheLord.

Beanangelinadversity

Christ came, says St. Augustine, so that we might live as angels. What does thatmean?Itmeans,hesays,thatweshouldconstantlyblesstheLord,thewaytheangelsdo—evenwhenwe’rehavingdifficulties.

“IwillblesstheLordatalltimes;hispraiseshallcontinuallybeinmymouth”(Ps.33:1).

SospeaksChrist;aChristianshouldspeakthesameway.

ForaChristianisinthebodyofChrist.ThereasonChristwasmadeManwassothataChristianmightbecomeanangelwhosays,“IwillblesstheLordatalltimes.”

Whenshall Ibless theLord?WhenHeblessesyou?When thegoodsof thisworldabound?Whenyouhaveplentyofgrain,oil,andwine,ofgoldandsilver,ofservantsandcattle; when this mortal health remains undamaged and sound; when all your childrengrow up, nothing is taken away by immature death, happiness wholly reigns in yourhouse,andallthingsoverflowaroundyou;thenshallyoublesstheLord?

No;butatalltimes.

Blesshimwhenyouhaveplenty;butalsoblesshimwhen,accordingtothetime,oraccordingtothescourgesofourLordGod,thesethingsaretroubled,aretakenaway,areseldomborn toyou,andwhenbornpassaway.For these thingshappen,andafter themcomepoverty,need,labor,pain,andtemptation.

Butyouhavesung,“IwillblesstheLordatalltimes;hispraiseshallcontinuallybeinmymouth.”Whenhegivesyougoodthings,blesshim;andwhenhetakesthemaway,bless him. For it is theLordwho gives, it is hewho takes away: but he does not takehimselfawayfromanyonewhoblesseshim.



Am I as unstinting as the angels inmypraise ofGod?Do I recognize hiswisdomeveninthehardtimesImustface?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,letmeblessandpraiseyournametogetherwiththebodilesshostofangelsinthehighestHeaven.

Investinthepoor

Thesurewaytoearnagoodreturn,saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria,istoinvestinthepoor.Insteadofmeremoney,youearnthepraiseofangelsandtheinvitationoftheSon.

Whatgoodisthereinprodigalabundancebeyondwhatnecessityrequires?ForasChristhimselfsaidsomewhere(Luke10:42),fewthingsareneedful,orratherone,totakecare of the wants of the body. So to escape the danger of losing the return on ourinvestment, by expending our wealth in such pursuits as will bear good fruit, he hascommanded us to invite the poor, and the maimed, and the blind, and those who aresufferingunderotherbodilymaladies,sothatbyourgenerosityindoingso,wemayearnthehopethatcomesfromGodabove.

Doyouliketobepraisedwhenyouhavefriendsorrelativesfeastingwithyou?Itellyouofsomethingfarbetter:angelswillpraiseyourbounty,andtherationalpowersabove,andholymenaswell.Andhewhotranscendsall,andwholovesmercyandiskind,willalsoaccept it.Lend tohim fearingnothing,andyouwill receivewith interestwhateveryougave:“Hewhoiskind to thepoor lends to theLord,” itsays(Prov.19:17).Hehasacknowledgedtheloan,andpromisesrepayment.

Theinvestment isnotunprofitable: infact,compassionfor thepoorwillmakeyourwealthbreatheforthasweetscent.PurchasethegracethatcomesfromGod;buytheLordofHeavenandEarth foryour friend.After all,weoftenpurchase someone’s friendshipwith large sumsofgold, and if thoseofhigh rankareonour side,we feelgreat joy inofferingthempresentsevenbeyondwhatwecanafford,becauseofthehonorthatcomestousfromthem.Andyetthesethingsareonlytransitory,andquicklyfadeaway,andarelikethefantasiesofdreams.



Howmuchofmyfortuneisinvestedinthepoor?DoIbelievethatthepraiseoftheangelswillbethereturnonmyinvestment?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,bless thewidow,theorphan,andthestranger;andletmejoinyourangels inservingandprotectingthem.

Maketheangelsrejoice

St.Ambrose, bishopof the empire’sadministrative capital ofMilan,wasnever shyabout advising even the Emperor in his religious duties. Here he reminds theEmperor that his powerwasgiven to himbyGod, not earned.He shoulduse thatpowertomaketheangelsrejoice.

So sinceyouknow,Emperor (fornow I’mnotonlygoing to talkaboutyoubutaddressmyself to you), how severe theLord’s censures can be, youmust take care, inproportionasyoubecomemoreillustrious, tosubmitsomuchthemorehumblytoyourMaker.Foritiswritten:WhentheLordyourGodhasbroughtyouintoaforeignland,andyoueatthefruitsofothers,donotsay,“BymyownstrengthandrighteousnessIobtainedthesethings,”but,“TheLordGodgavethemtome,Christinhismercyconferredthemonme”(aparaphraseofDeut.9:4).

SolovethebodyofChrist—thatis,theChurch.Pourwateronhisfeetandkissthem.Inthatway,youwillnotonlyabsolvethosewhohavebeentakeninsin,butingivingtothempeaceyouwillbringthemintoagreementandrestoretothemrest.Pourointmentonhisfeet,sothatthewholehousewhereChristsitsatsuppermaybefilledwiththeodorofyourointment,andletallwhositatsupperwithhimrejoiceinyourfragrance.

WhatImeanis this:paysuchregardeventothelowest, that intheirabsolutiontheangelsmay rejoice—as theydoover one sinner that repents—and theApostlesmaybeglad,andtheprophetsmayexult.

Fortheeyecannotsaytothehand,“Ihavenoneedofyou,”northeheadtothefeet,“Ihavenoneedofyou.”Since, therefore, eachmember isnecessary,protect thewholebodyoftheLordJesus,sothathe,inhisdivinemercy,mayalsoprotectyourkingdom.



HowdoIusewhateverpowerGodhasgivenme—inmyjob,orinmyfamily,orinmychurch?DoesthewayIusemypower,howeverhumbleitmaybe,maketheangelsrejoicetoseeit?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,givemewisdomtounderstandGod’sgifts,andthestrengthtoservehimalongwithyou.

Livinganangel’slifeonearth

Recallingaholymonkwhowaswellknownforhisasceticlife,St.Ambrosesaysthatheledanangel’slifeonearth—andindoingsobecameamodelfortherestofus.

NowthisenduranceinholyEusebiuswasthrivingunderthemonasticdiscipline.Becausehewasusedtoastricterrule,hedrankinapowerofbearinghardships.

I’mpositivethat, in thehigherkindsofChristiandevotion, thesetwothingsarethemost excellent: the clerical function and the monastic rule. The first is trained to beobligingandcourteousinitsbehavior;thesecondisusedtoabstinenceandendurance;theonelivesasonatheaterstage,theotherinsecret;theoneisseen,theotherhidden.Thisiswhatonenoblecombatantsaid:“wehavebecomeaspectacletotheworld,toangelsandtomen”(1Cor.4:9).

Hewastrulyworthytohaveangelsashisspectators,whenhewrestledthathemightattain the prize ofChrist,whenhe struggled to lead an angel’s life on earth, so that hemight overcome the wickedness of spirits in Heaven—for he wrestled with spiritualwickedness. The world was right to be a spectator of him whom it was called on toimitate.



Howangelicismylife?Whatmaterialcomfortsorpossessionsmostgetinthewayofmylivingthelifeoftheangelsonearth?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, let me imitate the angels who have been well pleasing to you since theircreation,andgraciouslypreservemefromthetemptationsoftheworld.

Livelikeanangelnowtolivelikeanangellater

InhiscommentaryontheApostles’Creed,RufinusofAquileiaexplainswhatChristmeanswhenhesaystheresurrectedwillbelikeangelsinHeaven.Wewilllivewiththeangelsthen,butonlyifwelivelikeangelshereonearth—whichwecandowiththesanctificationoftheHolySpirit.

“Forwhentheyrisefromthedead,theyneithermarrynoraregiveninmarriage,butarelikeangelsinHeaven”(Mark12:25).

Thismeansthatthepoweroftheresurrectionconfersonusanangelicstate.Whoeverhasrisenfromtheearthwillnot liveagainon theearthwith thebruteanimalsbutwithangelsinHeaven.Butthatwillonlyhappentotheoneswhosepurerlifehasfittedthemforthatstate—meaningthosewhorightnowkeepthefleshoftheirsoulinchastity,andhavebroughtitintosubjectiontotheHolySpirit,andthuswitheverystainofsinsdoneawayandchanged intospiritualgloryby thevirtueofsanctification,havebeencountedworthytohaveitadmittedintothesocietyofangels.

–RufinusofAquileia,CommentaryontheApostles’Creed,41


HaveIput“thefleshofmysoul”undertheguidanceoftheholyangels?HowwouldIdothat?HaveImadeuseofthesacramentsoftheChurch—suchaspenance—thatChristgaveusforoursanctification?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,sanctifymysoul,andbody,andspirit;and turnmy thoughts toholiness, thatwiththeholyangelsImaybringyouthesacrificeofpraise.

Theserviceofangels

St.Ambroserecommendsthelifeofamuch-respectedmonkasanexampletousall.TospendyourdaysinpraisingGodandcelebratingtheLordwithhymns—thisisthewaytheangelslive,hesays,andyoucandoittoo.

ButnowIthinkwehavesaidenoughoftheteacher.Letusnowfollowupthelivesofhisdisciples,whohavegiven themselves topraise thedivineName, and celebrate itwithhymnsnightandday.Forthisistheserviceofangels,alwaystobepraisingGod,andwithfrequentprayerstoappeaseandimploretheLord.Theygivethemselvestoreading,andoccupy theirmindswith continual labors.Theykeepaway fromall female society,andtheyprotecteachother.

Whatalifethisis!There’snothinginityouneedtofear,butmuchforyoutoimitate!Thepainoffastingisrepaidbytranquilityofmind,easedbyfamiliarity,madebearablebyrest,orbeguiledbyoccupation.Worldlycaresdon’tburdenthislife,andoutwardtroublesdon’tabsorbit,nordothedistractionsofthecitycauseitanytrouble.



Worldlyresponsibilitieskeepmostofusfromlivingamonasticlife.Butevenintheworld,wherecan I find time topraiseGodalongwith theangels?Can Ido itprivatelywhennooneneedsmeatwork,oronthesubway,ordrivingintraffic?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, send your angels to protect all who are passing their lives in virginity, andcelibacy.

Thepeaceoftheangels

St.Augustine’sadvice to soldiers:Peace is yourgoal, andeverythingyoudomustwork toward it.Thepeacewedesireon earth is onlya shadowof that peaceGodgivestheangelsnowandwillgiveusafterourtrialshere.

Think,then,ofthisfirstofall,whenyouarearmingforthebattle:thatevenyourbodilystrength isagiftofGod. Ifyou thinkabout this,youwillnotemploy thegiftofGodagainstGod.For,whenfaithispledged,itistobekeptevenwiththeenemyagainstwhom the war is waged. And howmuchmore with the friend for whom the battle isfought!

Peaceshouldbetheobjectofyourdesire;warshouldbewagedonlyasanecessity,andwagedonlythatGodmaybyitdeliverpeoplefromthenecessityandpreservetheminpeace.Forpeaceisnotsoughtinordertostirupwar,butwariswagedinorderthatpeacemaybeobtained.Therefore, even inwagingwar, cherish the spirit of apeacemaker, sothat,byconqueringthosewhomyouattack,youmayleadthembacktotheadvantagesofpeace; for our Lord says: “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called thechildrenofGod”(Matt.5:9).Butifpeaceamonghumansissosweetbecauseitgivesussafety in thisworld,howmuchsweeter is thatpeacewithGod thatgivesus theeternalhappinessoftheangels!

Letnecessity,therefore,andnotyourwill,slaytheenemywhofightsagainstyou.Asviolenceisusedtowardshimwhorebelsandresists,somercyisduetothevanquishedorthecaptive,especiallyinthecaseinwhichfuturetroublingofthepeaceisnottobefeared.



Asacitizen,whatamIdoingtopromotethepeacetheangelsknowinHeavenamongnations,amongneighbors,andintheChurch?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,Ibeseechyou,makemeaninstrumentofyourpeace,andkeeptheexampleofyourholyangelsinHeavenbeforemyeyes.

Aleaderpraisedfortoleration

Citing the instructions“to theangelof thechurch inEphesus,”St.Augustine saysthattolerationforthesakeofunityearnsushighpraise.

IntheRevelationofJohn(2:1-5)weread,“TotheangelofthechurchinEphesuswrite:‘Thewordsofhimwhoholdsthesevenstarsinhisrighthand,whowalksamongthesevengoldenlampstands.“Iknowyourworks,yourtoilandyourpatientendurance,andhowyoucannotbearevilmenbuthavetestedthosewhocallthemselvesapostlesbutarenot,andfoundthemtobefalse;Iknowyouareenduringpatientlyandbearingupformyname’ssake,andyouhavenotgrownweary.”’”

Now, ifhewantedus tounderstand that thiswasaddressed toaheavenlyangel,hewouldnotgoon tosay,“But Ihave thisagainstyou, thatyouhaveabandoned the loveyouhadatfirst.Rememberthenfromwhatyouhavefallen,repentanddotheworksyoudidatfirst.Ifnot,Iwillcometoyouandremoveyourlampstandfromitsplace,unlessyou repent.” This could not be said about the heavenly angels, who keep their loveunchanged,since theonlybeings thathave leftandfallen fromtheirorderare thedeviland his angels. The “love you had at first” that it talks about here is the love thatwasproved when, for the sake of Christ’s name, they tolerated the false apostles. Hecommandsthemtoreturntothem,and“dotheworksyoudidatfirst.”

Now,weare reproachedwith thecrimesofbadpeople—notwhatwedo,butwhatother people do, sometimes evenwhenwe don’t know them.Nevertheless, even if thecrimeswereactuallycommittedrightunderourveryeyes, ifweborewith themfor thesakeofunity,leavingthetaresaloneonaccountofthewheat,whoeverreceivestheHolyScriptures with an open heart would say that we were not only free from blame, butworthyofconsiderablepraise.



WhenthingsthathappenintheChurchmakemeangry,doIbecomeaforcemoreforunityorfordivision?LiketheangelsinHeaven,doIkeepmyloveunchanged?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, give peace to the multitudes of your people; put away scandals, and bringdivisionstoanend.LetusbeunitedinoneChurchonearthasyourangelsareunitedinHeaven.

Christsetstheexampleoftoleration

Still meditating on the instructions in Revelation “to the angel of the Church inEphesus,”St.AugustinetellsusthatChristhimselfsettheexampleoftolerationbytoleratingJudas,hisbetrayer,inthemidstofhisdisciples.

IknowI’ve leftoutmanyexamples. Ifyouarewillingandable, read thedivinerecordsforyourself:you’llfindthatalltheholyservantsandfriendsofGodhavealwayshad to bear with some among their own people. They shared the sacraments ofdispensationwith them,andnotonlywere theynotdefiledwhentheydid that,but theyweretobecommendedfortheirtolerantspirit—“eagertomaintaintheunityoftheSpiritinthebondofpeace,”astheApostlesays(Eph.4:3).

Observe,too,whathashappenedsincethecomingoftheLord.Wefindmanymoreexamples of this toleration all over the world, if they could all be written down andverified.But listen to theones thatareon record.TheLordhimselfbearswithJudas,adevil,athief,hisownbetrayer;alongwiththeinnocentdisciples,heallowshimtoreceivewhatbelieversknowisourransom.TheApostlesbearwithfalseapostles.Amongpeoplewhoarelookingoutfor theirownthings,andnot thethingsofJesusChrist,Paul—whoseeksthethingsofChrist,andnothisown—livespracticingaverynobletoleration.

In short, as I said a littlewhile ago, the personwho presides over a church and iscalledan“angel” is commendedbecause, thoughhehated thosewhowere evil, he stillborewiththemforthesakeoftheLord’sname,evenwhentheyweretriedandfoundout.



HowdoI,likethe“angelofthechurchinEphesus,”findtheproperbalancebetweentolerationandgivingintoevil?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,keepmefromangerwhendivisionsarise in theChurch,andshowmethewaytouniteratherthandivideGod’speople.

Traintowintheangelicwreath

WritingtoChristiansfacingasentenceofdeath,Tertulliantellsthemtothinkoftheirhardshipsastrainingforvictory.Youdon’twinthestarathlete’swreathwithouthardworkandsweat,andinthespiritualrealmtheHolySpirit is theirpersonaltrainer,gettingtheminshapetowina“wreathofangelicessence.”

Even in peace soldiers get themselves used to war by work and challenges,marchinginarms,runningovertheplain,workingattheditch,drillinginformation,anddoingallkindsofhardlabor.Thesweatofthebrowisoneverything,sothattheirbodiesandmindswon’tbalkwhentheyhavetogofromshadetosunshine,fromsunshinetoicycold, from the robe of peace to the coat of mail, from silence to noise, from quiet totumult.

In the sameway, blessed ones, think of whatever is hard in this lot of yours as adiscipline for your powers of mind and body. You’re about to pass through a noblestruggle,inwhichthelivingGodactsthepartofsuperintendent,inwhichtheHolySpiritisyourtrainer,inwhichtheprizeisaneternalwreathofangelicessence,citizenshipintheHeavens, glory everlasting. Therefore yourMaster, JesusChrist,who has anointed youwithhisSpirit,andledyouforthtothearena,hasdecided,beforethedayofconflict,totakeyoufromaconditionmorepleasantinitself,andhasimposedahardertreatmentonyou,sothatyoumighthavegreaterstrength.

Afterall,athletesaresetaparttoastricterdisciplinetobuilduptheirphysicalpowers.They’re kept from luxury, from expensive food, from more pleasant drinks. They’repressed,racked,wornout.Thehardertheyworkinthepreparatorytraining,themorehopetheyhaveofvictory.And“theydoittoreceiveaperishablewreath,”astheapostlesays(1Cor.9:25).Wehavetheeternalwreathinoureye.Welookontheprisonasourtraining-ground,sothatatthegoaloffinaljudgmentwemaycomeoutwelldisciplinedbymanyatrial—sincevirtueisbuiltupbyhardships,butdestroyedbyindulgenceinluxury.

–Tertullian,TotheMartyrs,3


Howwouldmyowntrainingbenefitfromalittlemoreworkandalittlelessluxury?WhatlittleluxuriesmightIgiveuptobeinbettershapefortheangelicwreath?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,letmelaborhonorablyinyourChurchastheangelsdoinHeaven,andmayIalwayskeeptheneedsofthepoor,thewidows,andtheorphansbeforemyeyes.

Eyessuchasangelsseewith

Didymuswasafamoustheologianwhohadbeenblindsincechildhood.ThehistorianSocratesScholasticusrecountshismanyaccomplishments,andthentellsusaboutafamouspieceofadviceSt.Anthonygavetothisillustriousscholar.

About the same period God brought into observation another faithful person,deeming it worthy that through him faith might be shown: this was Didymus, a mostadmirable and eloquent man, instructed in all the learning of the age in which heflourished. At a very early age, when he had scarcely acquired the first elements oflearning, hewas attacked by a disease in the eyes that deprived himof sight.ButGodcompensatedhim for the lossof corporeal visionbygivinghima sharper intellect.Forwhathecouldnotlearnbyseeing,hewasenabledtoacquirethroughthesenseofhearing;sothatbeingfromhischildhoodendowedwithexcellentabilities,hesoonfarsurpassedhisyouthfulcompanionswhopossessedthekeenestsight.

Hemadehimselfmasterof theprinciplesofgrammarandrhetoricwithastonishingease; andwenton from there tophilosophical studies,dialectics, arithmetic,music, andthe various other departments of knowledge towhich his attentionwas directed.He sotreasuredupinhismindthesebranchesofscience,thathewaspreparedwiththeutmostreadinesstoenterintoadiscussionofthesesubjectswiththosewhohadbecomefamiliarwiththembyreadingbooks.

It is said that afterAnthony had conversed for some timewith thisDidymus, longbeforethereignofValens,whenhecamefromthedeserttoAlexandriaonaccountoftheArians,perceivingthelearningandintelligenceoftheman,hesaidtohim,“Didymus,donotletthelossofyourbodilyeyesdistressyou:foryouaredeprivedonlyofsucheyesasarethecommonpossessionofgnatsandflies.Ratherrejoicethatyouhaveeyessuchasangelsseewith,bywhichtheDeityhimselfisdiscerned,andhislightcomprehended.”



DoImakearealefforttousemyangelicvision—theintelligenceGodgaveme—forthepurposesforwhichhemeantittobeused?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,teachmetousetheintelligenceIsharewithyoufortherightends,andleadmeeverclosertotheangelicvisionofGod.

Contemplationshoulddirectaction

Contemplation,saysSt.Augustine,isthehighestpartofreason,whichisthehighestpartofthesoul,whichisthehighestpartofournature.Ineverythingwedo,then,weshouldbeguidedbyourcontemplationofGod.

Eachofus,weknow,consistsofsoulandbody;butsodoesabeast.Again,it isplain that in the order of nature the soul is superior to the body.Moreover, in our ownsoulsthereisreason,whichdoesnotexistinabeast.Therefore,asthesoulissuperiortothebody,sointhesoulitselfthereasonissuperiorbythelawofnaturetotheotherpartswhich are found also in beasts; and in reason itself,which is partly contemplation andpartlyaction,contemplationisunquestionablythesuperiorpart.

TheobjectofcontemplationistheimageofGod,bywhichwearerenewedthroughfaithtosight.Rationalactionthereforeoughttobesubjecttothecontrolofcontemplation,whichisexercisedthroughfaithwhileweareabsentfromtheLord,asitwillbehereafterthroughsight,whenweshallbelikehim—forweshallseehimasheis.Theninaspiritualbody we shall by his grace be made equal to angels, when we put on the garment ofimmortality and incorruption, with which this mortal and corruptible body shall beclothed, so that deathmaybe swallowedup invictory,when righteousness is perfectedthroughgrace.

Fortheholyandloftyangelshavealsotheircontemplationandaction.TheyrequireofthemselvestheperformanceofthecommandsofGod,whomtheycontemplate,whoseeternalgovernmenttheyfreelyobeybecauseitissweettothem.

But our bodies are dead because of sin, tillGod enlivens ourmortal bodies by hisSpiritdwellinginus.Weliverighteouslyinourfeeblemeasure,accordingtotheeternallawinwhichthelawofnatureispreserved,whenwelivebythatsincerefaiththatworksbylove.

–St.Augustine,ReplytoFaustustheManichean,22.28


Howdoes contemplation affectwhat I do inmy daily life?Do I let contemplationguidemyactionthewaytheholyangelsdo?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Purifymefromeverystain,Lord,andmakemeworthytocontemplateyourmysteriesalongwithyourholyangelsinHeaven.

Equaltoangels

Answering the resurrection-denying Sadducees who tried to trip Jesus up with atrickyquestionaboutmarriageinthelifetocome,Christsaysthatinthatfuturelifewe will be equal to the angels (Luke 20:27-40). That tells us, says St. Cyril ofAlexandria,whatourblessedlifeofthefuturewillbelike.

“Thesonsofthisage,”Christsays—those,thatis,wholeadworldlycarnallives,fulloffleshlylust—fortheprocreationofchildren“marryandaregiveninmarriage”;butthosewhohavemaintained an honorable and elect life, full of all excellence, and havethereforebeencountedworthyofagloriousandmarvelousresurrection,willcertainlyberaisedfarabovethelifeweleadinthisworld;fortheywillliveassaintsoughttolivewhoalreadyhavebeenbroughtneartoGod.

“BecausetheyareequaltoangelsandaresonsofGod.”Sinceallfleshlylustistakenaway,andnoplaceatallisleftinthemforbodilypleasure,theyresembletheholyangels,fulfilling a spiritual andnot amaterial service, as is appropriate for holy spirits.At thesametime,theyarecountedworthyofthekindofglorythattheangelsenjoy.



If I’ve been called tomarriage, how is mymarried life now a preparation for theheavenlylifewewillsharewiththeangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,teachmetobeattentivetotheguardiansofthosewithwhomIlive,thatImaygivegoodexample,thatImayserveatalltimes,andmyspeechmayaboundinkindness.

Equaltoangels—butnotidentical

If we’re to be like the angels, who have no bodies, then what becomes of theresurrectionofthebody?St.MethodiusofOlympusexplainsthatwe’retobeequaltoangels,butnotidentical.Ournaturewillneverbeotherthanhuman.

Here’s another point you should consider, Aglaophon—for you’re very muchmisledhere,ifyou’llforgivemeforbeingbluntwhenthesubjectissoimportant.Yousaidthat theLorddeclaredplainly that thosewhogain the resurrectionwillbeas theangels(Matt. 22:30).Thiswas your objection: the angels are as happy and glorious as can bebecause they have no flesh. Sincewe are to bemade equal to the angels, wemust bestrippedoffleshlikethem,andbeangels.

But,mydearsir,youforgot this:God,whocreated theuniverseoutofnothingandestablished itsorder,made the immortalbeings tobenotonlyangelsandministers,butalsoPrincipalities,Thrones,andPowers.Angelsareonekindofbeing,andPrincipalitiesandPowers are another—immortal beings are not all the same rank, nature, group, andfamily,buttherearedifferencesofkindandgroup.

TheCherubimdonotstopbeingCherubimandbecomeAngels.Angelsdonot takeonanotherform.Theycanonlybewhattheyare,whattheyweremadetobe.

Sincehumanitywasmadeintheoriginalorderofthingstoliveintheworldandruleovereverythinginit,whenweareimmortalwewillnotbechangedfromhumanbeingsintoangelsoranythingelse,justastheangelsdonotchangefromangelsintosomethingelse.When Christ came, he did not announce that human nature, when it is immortal,wouldberemadeortransformedintosomeothernature,butthatitwouldbemadeagainintowhatitwasbeforetheFall.

–St.MethodiusofOlympus,DiscourseontheResurrection,1.10


DoIlivewithafixityofpurposeastheangelsdo?AmItruewithoutcorruptiontothenatureGodhasgivenme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

OurFather,Thywillbedone,onearthasitisamongtheangelsinHeaven.

Werestoretheranksoftheangels

Thefalloftheangelsleftagapintheheavenlyhierarchy,saysSt.Augustine,andtheredemptionofhumanitywillfillthatgap.

The redemption ofmankind rebuilds the ruins left by the fall of the angels.Ofcourse, the holy angels, who learn from God (for they are blessed with eternalcontemplationofGod’struth),knowhowmanyofthehumanracearerequiredtofillupthefullcensusofthatcommonwealth.

ThisiswhytheapostlesaysthatallthingsarerestoredtounityinChrist,“thingsinHeavenandthingsonEarth”(Eph.1:10).ThepartinHeaven,infact,isrestoredwhenthenumberlostfromthefalloftheangelsarereplacedfromtheranksofhumanity.Theparton Earth is restored when those human beings who are predestined to eternal life areredeemedfromtheoldstateofcorruption.

Thus by the single sacrifice, of which the many victims of the law were onlyshadows,theheavenlypartissetatpeacewiththeearthlypart,andtheearthlyreconciledtotheheavenly.Thisiswhythesameapostlesays:“ForinhimallthefullnessofGodwaspleasedtodwell,andthroughhimtoreconciletohimselfallthings,whetheronEarthorinHeaven,makingpeacebythebloodofhiscross”(Col.1:19-20).



What could I change about my life that would make it more of a preparation fortakingmyplaceamongtheangelsinHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,restoreyourkingdom,andmakemeworthytotakemyplaceamongtheangelsabove.

Knowlove,knowGod

If you love your brother, says St. Augustine, you knowGod—becauseGod is love.Love iswhatbindsus togetherwith theangels.Whenyouare filledwith love, youreally are filledwithGod, and you knowGodmore intimately than you can knowyourclosestfriend.

Nooneshouldsay,“IdonotknowwhatIlove.”Loveyourbrother,andyouwilllove that same love. For you know the Love you lovewithmore than you know yourbrother—sonowyoucanknowGodmorethanyouknowyourbrother.Clearlyyouwillknowhimmore,becausehewillbemorepresent.Youwillknowhimmore,becauseheismorecertain.EmbracetheloveofGod,andbyloveembraceGod.

LoveitselfiswhatholdsallthegoodangelsandalltheservantsofGodtogetherbythe bond of sanctity. It joins us and them together—equally with ourselves, andsubordinatelytoGod.

Themorewearehealedfromtheswellingofpride,themorewearefilledwithlove.Andwhenyouarefilledwithlove,whatareyoufilledwith—exceptGod?



WhenIthinkofthepeopleIlivewithorworkwitheveryday,islovethethingIfeelmost?Ordootherfeelingscomefirst?AmIboundtogetherwiththegoodangels,oraremygripesandgrudgeskeepingmeapartfromthem?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Unitemetotheblessedassemblyofyourangels,Lord,andletmeshareinyourloveforallyourpeople.

Theknowledgeevenangelscan’tteach

God’sperfectknowledgeissomethingnohumancouldteachus,saysSt.Augustine.Angelscouldn’tteachittous;theycouldn’teventeachittootherangels.ButwecanhaveitifweknockatGod’sdoor.

Weseethethingsyouhavemadebecausetheyexist.But theyexistbecauseyoumadethem.Andweseefromoutsidethattheyexist,andfrominsidethattheyaregood;butyousawthemwhereyoumadethemwhentheyweremade.

WeweremovedtodogoodafterourheartshadconceivedofyourSpirit;butbeforethat, forsaking you,weweremoved to do evil. But you, theOne, the goodGod, haveneverstoppeddoinggood.

Wealsohavecertaingoodworks,oursbyyourgoodgift,butnoteternal;andafterthemwehopetorestinyourgreathallowing.ButyouaretheGood,andhavenoneedofgood;youarealwaysatrest,becauseyouyourselfareyourrest.

Howcouldahumanbeingteachanothertounderstandthis?Orhowcouldanangelteach an angel? Or how could an angel teach a human being? Let it be asked of you,soughtinyou,knockedforatyourdoor.Thenitwillbereceived,itwillbefound,itwillbeopened.



How do I seek the knowledge even angels can’t teach?Do I read Scripture, listenattentivelyatMass,orstudyGod’screation?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyGuardianAngel,Iknowthatthereisknowledgeyoucannotteachme;butleadmetothedoorwhereIcanreceiveitasyoudo.

Weweremeanttolivelikeangels

IntheGardenofEden,saysSt.JohnofDamascus,AdamandEvelivedlikeangels—withoutacareintheworld.That’sthewaywewereallmeanttolive,andthat’sthewayChristhasbeentryingtoteachustolive.

Beforetheytookofthefruit,“themanandhiswifewerebothnaked,andwerenotashamed”(Gen.2:25).

ForGodmeantthatweshouldbethusfreefrompassion,andthisisindeedthemarkofamindabsolutelyvoidofpassion.Furthermore,hemeantustobefreefromcare,andtohaveoneworktoperform:tosingthepraisesoftheCreatorastheangelsdo,withoutceasingorintermission,andtodelightincontemplationofhimandtocastallourcareonHim.

ThisiswhattheprophetDavidproclaimedtouswhenhesaid,“CastyourburdenontheLord,andhewillsustainyou”(Ps.55:22).And,again, intheGospels,Christ taughthisdisciplessaying,“Donotbeanxiousaboutyourlife,whatyoushalleatorwhatyoushalldrink,noraboutyourbody,whatyoushallputon”(Matt.6:25).



WhenIamsingle-minded,astheangelsare,Iwillworryless.

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,teachustocare,butnottobeanxious.

WeweremadetoglorifyGodonearth

TheangelsglorifyGodinHeaven,saysSt.GregoryofNyssa,andhumanbeingsweremade so that God would be glorified by intelligent beings in the material part ofcreation.

“SoGodcreatedmaninhisownimage,intheimageofGodhecreatedhim”(Gen.1:27).Certainwritersbeforeushaveexplainedthereasonforcreatingthisanimatebeingthisway:

Thewholecreationisdividedintotwoparts:thatwhichisseen,andthatwhichisnotseen, to use the Apostle’s words—“not seen” meaning the intelligible and immaterial,“seen”meaning the sensible andmaterial. Since it is divided thatway, the angelic andspiritualnatures,whichareamongthethingsnotseen,liveinplacesabovetheworld,andabovetheheavens,becausesucharesidencecorrespondswiththeirconstitution—foranintellectualnatureisafine,clear,unencumbered,agilekindofthing,andaheavenlybodyisfineandlight,andperpetuallymoving,andtheearthonthecontrary,whichstandslastinthelistofsensiblethings,canneverbeanadequateandcongenialspotforintellectualbeingstosojournin.Forwhatcorrespondencecantherepossiblybebetweenthatwhichislightandbuoyant,ontheonehand,andthatwhichisheavyandgravitatingontheother?

Well, to keep the earth from being completely devoid of the intellectual and theimmaterial living in it, man (these writers tell us) was fashioned by the Supremeforethought,andhisearthyparts formedover the intellectualandgodlikeessenceofhissoul.Sothismixingwithwhathasmaterialweightenablesthesoultoliveonthiselementofearth,whichhasacertainrelationtothesubstanceoftheflesh.

The purpose of everything born, then, is that the Power which is above both theheavenly and the earthly universemay be glorified by intelligent beings in all parts ofcreation.

–St.GregoryofNyssa,OnInfants’EarlyDeaths


Asanintelligentbeing,Iamakintotheangels.Godmademethatway.Doesmylifereflectthattruth?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,youarealwayswillingtosanctifyme.SendmeyourHolySpirit,sothatImayshowforthyourgloryinmythinking,astheangelsdointheirs.

Leteveryoneseethatyou’reacitizenofheaven

St.JohnChrysostomtellsusthatthebestwaytodrawbackthosewhodon’tcometochurch is not by preaching to them, but by showing them the difference theMassmakesinourlives.Iftheyseeinourbehaviorthatwe’vebeenletintoHeaventosingwiththechoirsofangels,they’llcomerunning.

I’llneverstopbeggingyou,withallearnestness,asIhaveoftendonebefore:Bringyourbrethrentous!Urgethewanderers!Advisethemnotjustbywords,butbydeeds!

Theteachingthatcomesthroughourmannersandbehaviorismorepowerful.Evenifyoudon’tspeakaword,but,whenyouleavethisassembly,showthepeopleleftbehindwhatgainyou’vebroughtawaywithyoubythewayyoucarryyourself,thewayyoulook,andalltherestofyourbehavior—that’senoughtourgeandteachthem.Weoughttoleavethisplaceaswewouldfromasacredshrine,asifwe’vecomedownfromHeavenitself,asifwe’vebecomecalmandphilosophical,anddoeverythingandsayeverythinginpropermeasure.

Whenawifeseesherhusbandcomingbackfromthisassembly,andafatherhisson,anda friendhis friend,andanenemyhisenemy—let themallgetan impressionof thebenefityou’vegainedfromcominghere.Andtheywillgetit,iftheycanseethatyou’vebecomemilder,morephilosophical,andmoredevout.

Thinkoftheprivilegesyouenjoy—you,whohavebeeninitiatedintothemysteries!Thinkwithwhatcompanyyouofferup thatmystichymn,withwhatcompanyyousingout the “Holy, holy, holy”! Teach outsiders that you have joined the chorus of theSeraphim,thatyouarerankedasacitizenofthecommonwealthabove,thatyouhavebeenenrolledinthechoirofangels,thatyouhaveconversedwiththeLord,thatyouhavebeeninthecompanyofChrist!

Ifweactthatway,wewon’thavetosayanythingwhenwegoouttothosewhoareleftbehind.They’llbeabletoseetheirownlossbywhatwe’vegained,andthey’llcomehererunningtogetthesamebenefitsthemselves.

–St.JohnChrysostom,“IfYourEnemyHunger,FeedHim,”4


WhatdopeopleseewhenIcomehomefromMass?CantheytellI’vebeensingingwiththeSeraphim?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,unitemyvoicewith the voicesof yourholyangels, andofall the saintswho

praiseyouandgiveconstantwitnesstoyourglories.

SecretwisdomofGod

Whatanhonorforthehumanrace!Godrevealshismostsecretwisdomtotheangelsatthesametimeastous,saysSt.JohnChrysostom.

“But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 2:7). Why is it“secret”and“hidden”?ForsurelyChristsays,“whatyouhearwhispered,proclaimuponthehousetops”(Matt.10:27).Howthendoeshecallitasecret?

Becauseneitherangelnorarchangel,noranyothercreatedpower,knewofitbeforeitactuallytookplace.Thisiswhyhesays,“thatthroughthechurchthemanifoldwisdomofGodmightnowbemadeknowntothePrincipalitiesandPowersintheheavenlyplaces”(Eph.3:10).Goddidthisinhonorofus,sothattheyshouldnothearthesecretswithoutus.Wheneverwemakefriends,wecallthisthesurestproofoffriendship:thatwetelloursecretstonooneinpreferencetothem.

Hearthis,youwhomakeasortoftriumphalshowofthesecretsoftheGospel,andindiscriminatelydisplaythepearlsandthedoctrinetoeveryone,andcasttheholythingsunto dogs and swine, and useless reasonings. For the secret needs no decoration. It issimplydeclaredtobewhatthefactis.Itwillnotbeadivinesecret,wholeinallitsparts,ifyouaddanythingofyourowntoit.

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily7on1Corinthians


Godshowshislovetousandtoangelsbyrevealinghimself.AmIasreceptiveastheholyangelswhenIencounterdivinerevelation?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,openmyheart,thatImayreceivethesecretwisdomoftheGospelthroughtheministryofyourangels,andmayproclaimitonearthwiththeirhelp.

Joinyourheartwiththeangels

Evenwhenyouworkatearthlythings,saysSt.Augustine,you’reacitizenofHeavenifyouhaveyourheartthereandnotonEarth.

Lookandsee the twokindsofpeople.Onekindworks,and theother theyworkamong.Onekindweighs theirheartsdown, theother joins theirheartswithangels.Theonetrusts intheearthlythingsthataresocommonintheworld,but theotherputstheirconfidenceinheavenlythingsthathavebeenpromisedbyGod,whoneverlies.

Butthesetwokindsofpeopleareallmixedtogether.ThecitizenofJerusalem,ofthekingdomofHeaven,mayhavesomepositionhereonearth.Oneisasenator,orajudge,oramayor,oragovernor,oreventheemperor,directingtheearthlyrepublic.Butifhe’saChristian—if he’s a believer—if he is godly—if he despises the things of theworld helivesin,andtrustsinthethingsoftheworldhehasn’treachedyet—thenhehashisheartabove.

Soweshouldn’tdespairofthecitizensofthekingdomofHeavenwhenweseetheminvolved in Babylon’s business, doing earthly things in the earthly republic. And weshouldn’t rush tocongratulateeveryonewesee involved inheavenlybusiness: even thesonsofpestilencesometimessitintheseatofMoses,ofwhomJesussaid,“practiceandobservewhatevertheytellyou,butnotwhattheydo;fortheypreach,butdonotpractice”(Matt.23:3).

So longaseverything isstillmixed together, letushearourvoice, thevoiceof thecitizensfromHeaven—forweshouldaspiretoputupwithevilmenhere,ratherthantobeputupwithbygoodmen.Letusjoinourselvestothatvoice,bothwithourearsandwithourtongues,andwithourheartsandwithourwork.



WhenI lookhonestlyatmy life,does it seemas thoughmyheart ismorewith theangels,ordownonearth?WhatchangescouldImakeinmylife toputmyheart in therightplace?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, I joinmyheartwith theangels inpraising you.As longas I keep their lightcompany,Iwillnotbeweigheddownbyearthlytroubles.

Worklikeanangel

Ifyou’relazynowindoinggoodworks,asksSt.ClementofRome,howwillyoulookthe Lord in the eye when he comes to give you your reward? Remember how thecountlessangelsstandaroundhim,alwaysreadytoservehim.

The good servant receives the bread of his laborwith confidence; the lazy andslothful servant cannot look his employer in the face.Wemust therefore be prompt indoinggood;forallthingscomefromtheLord.Heforewarnsusinthesewords:“Behold,your salvation comes; behold, his reward iswith him, and his recompense before him”(Isa.62:11).

Heexhortsus,therefore,topayattentiontoonethingwithourwholeheart:thatweshouldnotbelazyorslothfulinanygoodwork.

Letourboastingandourconfidencebe inhim.Letussubmitourselves tohiswill.Letusconsiderthewholemultitudeofhisangels,howtheystandeverreadytoministertohiswill.FortheScripturesays,“athousandthousandsservedhim,andtenthousandtimesten thousand stood before him” (Dan. 7:10) and cried, “Holy, holy, holy is theLord ofhosts;thewholeearthisfullofhisglory”(Isa.6:3).

So,conscientiouslygatheringtogetherinharmony,letuscrytohimearnestly,asifweallhadonemouth,sothatwemayshareinhisgreatandgloriouspromises.For itsays,“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart ofman conceived, what God haspreparedforthosewholovehim”(1Cor.2:9).

–St.ClementofRome,EpistletotheCorinthians,34


IfGodwerepayingmebythehour,howwouldIaccountforthehoursI’vespentsofartoday?HaveIbeenasreadytoserveastheangelswhosurroundhim?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, I fall farshortofyourangels inservingyou;butrememberyourhumbleandunprofitableservant,notaccording tomyworth,butaccording toyourgreatmercyandcompassion.

Imitatingthehymnsofangels

The historian Socrates Scholasticus relates the traditional story of how responsivesingingbeganin the liturgy.Accordingto the tradition,St. Ignatiushadavisionofangelsrespondingtoeachotherinsong.

Wemust now howevermake some allusion to the origin of this custom in thechurchofresponsivesinging.

Ignatius, third bishop of Antioch in Syria from the Apostle Peter, who also hadconversationswiththeApostlesthemselves,sawavisionofangelshymninginalternatechantstheHolyTrinity.AccordinglyheintroducedthemodeofsinginghehadobservedinthevisionintotheAntiochianchurch.Fromthereitwastransmittedbytraditiontoalltheotherchurches.Such is theaccountwehavereceived in relation to theseresponsivehymns.



EvenifI’mnotmuchofasinger,doImakearealefforttoparticipateintheliturgywesharewiththehostsofHeavenwhenI’minchurch?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, letmesingwith theCherubimandSeraphim,andaccept thishymn fromme,sinnerthoughIam.

Theholytemple,belowandabove

We make up the Church below, says St. Augustine, and the angels make up theChurchabove.ButChristcamedowntousandtookonhumanformtomakeustheequalsoftheangels.

“Ibowdowntowardyourholytemple”(Ps.138:2).

Whatholytemple?Thetempleinwhichwewilldwell,wherewewillworship.

But certainly, God obviously dwells in the angels. Therefore, when our joy is inspiritualthingsratherthanearthly,andittakesupasongtoGodtosingbeforetheangels,thatveryassemblyofangelsisthetempleofGod.WebowdowntowardGod’stemple.

ThereisaChurchbelow,andthereisalsoaChurchabove.TheChurchbelowisinallthefaithful;theChurchaboveisinalltheangels.ButtheGodofangelscamedowntotheChurchbelow,and theangelsservedhimonearth,whileheservedus. Icame,hesays,“nottobeservedbuttoserve”(Matt.20:28).Andwhatdidheserveus,exceptwhatweeatanddrinkeventoday?

SincetheLordofangelshasservedus,then,weshouldnotdespairofbeingequaltotheangels.Forhewhoisgreaterthanangelscamedowntous.TheCreatoroftheangelstookonournature.TheLordofangelsdiedforus.Therefore“Ibowdowntowardyourholy temple”—not the templemadewithhands, Imean, but the temple that you,Lord,havemadeforyourself.



ChristgaveusachancetouniteourselveswiththeindescribablejoysoftheangelsinHeaven.Howmucheffortdo Iput intomakingsuremy joy is in spiritual things?Do Iconsciouslyexaminemydesiresandprayforhelpinredirectingthem?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Fillmymouthwithyourpraise,Lord,andmylipswithjoy,sothatImaysingofyourglorywithallthehostsofHeaven.

Anticipatetheangels’work

At the endof time, saysSt.Augustine, theangelswill separate thewheat from thechaff.Until then,we’reallmixedup together.Butwecananticipate theirworkbyseparatingourselvesfromeverythingwicked.

Aslongasthechaffisbeingbruisedwiththewheat,aslongasthebadfishswimtogetherwiththegoodinthenetsoftheLord,tillthetimeofseparationcomes,itisyourduty rather to endure themixture of the bad out of consideration for the good, than toviolatetheprincipleofbrotherlylovetowardsthegoodfromanyconsiderationofthebad.Forthismixtureisnotforeternity,butonlyforatime;norisitspiritual,butcorporal.Andthe angelswill notmake anymistakeswhen they collect thebad from themidst of thegood,andcommit themtotheburningfieryfurnace.FortheLordknowsthosewhoarehis.

Butifwecannotdepartinbodyfromthosewhopracticeiniquityaslongastimelasts,atanyrate,leteveryonethatnamesthenameofChristdepartfrominiquityitself.Forinthemeantime you can separate yourself from thewicked in life, and inmorals, and inheartandwill,andinthesamewaysdepartfromtheirsociety;andseparationsuchasthisshouldalwaysbemaintained.Butwaittilltheendoftimefortheseparationinthebody—waitfaithfully,patiently,bravely.

–St.Augustine,LettersofPetiliantheDonatist,3.3


How much of my life is chaff and how much is good wheat? What can I do toanticipatetheangels’workandstartgettingridofthechaff?

CLOSINGPRAYER

ThoughIamaschaffthatthestormcarriesaway,Lord,makemeworthytobestoredwithyourwheatwhenyourangelscometobringintheharvest.

Theincorruptiblerichesoftheangels

The two greatest commandments, as Jesus taught us, sum up the whole of theScriptures: love God and love your neighbor. True believers who remember thosecommandments, says St. Augustine, are promised the incorruptible riches of theangels.

Alliscontainedinthesebriefsentences:“YoushalllovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart,andwithallyoursoul,andwithallyourmind,”and“loveyourneighborasyourself.”

Inthislove,allourholyfathers,patriarchs,prophets,andapostlespleasedGod.

Inthisalltruemartyrscontendedagainstthedevileventothesheddingofblood,andbecauseitnevergrewcoldorfailedinthem,theybecameconquerors.

In this all true believers daily make progress, seeking to acquire not an earthlykingdom,butthekingdomofHeaven;notatemporal,butaneternalinheritance;notgoldandsilver,buttheincorruptiblerichesoftheangels;notthegoodthingsofthislife,whichareenjoyedwith trembling, andwhichnoonecan takewithhimwhenhedies,but thevisionofGod,whosegraceandpowerofgivinghappinesstranscendallbeautyofforminbodiesnotonlyonEarthbutalso inHeaven; transcendallspiritual loveliness inhumanbeings, however just and holy; transcend all the glory of the angels and powers of theworld above; transcend not only all that language can express, but all that thought canimagineconcerninghim.

Andletusnotdespairofthefulfillmentofsuchagreatpromisebecauseitissoverygreat,butratherbelievethatweshallreceiveitbecausehewhohaspromiseditissoverygreat.



AmIreallyprogressingdailytowardtheincorruptiblerichesoftheangels,ordoIseemyselfslidingbackwardsfromtimetotime?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, though I am unworthy, I desire an eternal inheritance with your angels inHeaven.Grantthat,intheend,Imaybeunitedtoyourlove.

Flyinghome

St.AugustinesaysthatourrealhomeistheZioninHeaven,whichistheblissoftheangels.Thoughwe livehereon earth for thepresent,we cangobackhome, ifwewish,onwingsoflove.

Zionwasaparticularcity.Itfell,andamongitsruinscertainsaintslivedaccordingto the flesh. But the true Zion, the true Jerusalem (Zion is the same as Jerusalem), is“eternal in theHeavens” (2Cor.5:1).She isourmother.She is theonewhohasgivenbirth to us. She is theChurch of the saints. She has nourished us—shewho is partly apilgrim,andpartlyathomeintheHeavens.

ThepartathomeinHeaven is theblissof theangels.Thepart thatwanders in thisworldisthehopeoftherighteous.OfthepartinHeavenitissaid,“GlorytoGodinthehighest”;ofthepartinthisworlditissaid,“andonearthpeaceamongmenwithwhomheispleased”(Luke2:14).

If,thoughyouliveinthisworld,youaresighingforyournativeland,runbylove,notbythefeetofyourbody.Looknotforships,butforwings.Graspthetwowingsoflove.Whatarethetwowingsoflove?LoveofGod,andloveofourneighbor.



Howfirmismygriponthetwowingsoflove?DoIseemtobeflyinghometothebliss of the angels yet?What could I do to grip either wing—love of God or love ofneighbor—morefirmly?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,teachmetoloveyouperfectly,andunitemebythebondsofpeaceandlovewithmyneighbors,sothatatlastImayflyhomeonthewingsoflovetoliveintheblissofyourangelsforever.

Broughtneartheholyangels

With the Incarnation, says St. Cyril of Alexandria, theChurch below ismade onewiththeChurchabove.ChristhasopenedHeavenforus,andwehavebeenbroughtneartheangels.

AndtheEvangelistsaysthattheHeavenswereopened,asiftheyhadbeenclosedalongtime.ForChristsaid,“Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,youwillseeHeavenopened,andtheangelsofGodascendinganddescendingupontheSonofman”(John1:51).

Since the flock above and that below have now been made one, and one chiefShepherdisappointedforall,theHeavenswereopened,andmanonearthbroughtneartothe holy angels.And the Spirit also again came down as if our racewere being begunagain—uponChristfirst,whoreceiveditnotsomuchforhisownsakeasforours:forbyhimandinhimareweenrichedwithallthings.

Soit isveryappropriatetotheeconomyofgracethatheendureswithusthethingsthat belong to the human state: for where elsewouldwe see him emptied, who in hisdivinenaturepossessesthefullness?Howcouldhebecomeaspoorasweare,ifhehadnotbeenconformedtoourpoverty?Howcouldhehaveemptiedhimself,ifhehadrefusedtoendurethemeasureofhumanlittleness?



IfI’mbroughtneartotheangels,ismyspiritdressedappropriatelyfortheoccasion?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, receive me as I draw near to you, and purify my spirit from every kind ofbasenessandpollution.MayIbepureastheangelsinyourpresence.

HearthemusicoftheendlessholidayinHeaven

Wehireaband foraweddingorabirthday,St.Augustinesays,andeveryonewhohearsitknowsthatsomethingspecial isgoingon.Butifwelistenanddon’t let theworlddistractus,wecanhearthemusicoftheangelssingingatthatendlessfestivalinHeaven.

Here,wherewehavefestivalsjustforthefunofit,weputbandsorsingersinfrontofourhouses,oranykindofmusicthattemptsustoindulgence.Andwhatdopassers-bysay when they hear them? “What’s going on here?” And the answer is that it’s somefestival. It’sabirthdaybeingcelebrated,or there’saweddinggoingon.That’swhatwesay so that the songs don’t seem inappropriate, but the luxurious indulgence may beexcusedbythefestiveoccasion.

In the house ofGod there’s a never-ending festival. It’s not just an occasion to becelebratedonce,and then it’sover.Theangelicchoirmakesaneternalholiday,becausethepresenceofGod’sface isa joy thatneverfails.Thiskindofholidaydoesn’tstartatdawn, and it doesn’t end at evening. And your heart can hear a certain sweet andmelodiousmelodyfromthatperpetualholiday—as longas theworlddoesn’tdrownoutthesounds.



CanIfindsomequietplaceeverydaytolistentothemusicofHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

“Blessedarethosewhodwellinyourhouse,eversingingyourpraise!”(Ps.84:4).

Christalonecangivedivinepowertous

OftentheFathersusetheangelsasexamplesofgreatbutlimitedpower,contrastingtheabilitiesofsuperiorbutstillcreatedbeingswiththeomnipotenceofGod.HereSt.Cyril of Alexandria argues that Christ is fully God because He can do what noangelicbeingcando:grantuspoweroverdemonsandsickness.

“Thefruitofgooddeedsishonorable”—that’satruesaying.Ifyouwishtoleadalifeaspureandundefiledasit’spossibleforahumanbeingtolead,thenChristwilladornyouwithhisgifts,andgiveyouanabundantcompensationforallyoursaintlydeeds,andsharehisglorywithyou.It’snotpossiblethathecouldbelyingwhenhesays,“AsIlive,saystheLord,thosewhohonorme,Iwillhonor”(1Sam.2:30).

Itakethegloriouscompanyoftheholyapostlesasaplainandclearproofofthis.WeseethemgreatlyhonoredandcrownedwithmorethanhumanglorybythisfreshgiftfromChrist:“Hegavethempowerandauthorityoveralldemonsandtocurediseases”(Luke9:1).

Here again, the Incarnate Word of God goes beyond the limits of humanity, andshineswithdivinedignity.Forit’sbeyondhumanpowertogiveanyonehelikesauthorityoveruncleanspirits,and toenable themtodeliver theafflicted fromsickness.Youmaymention the angels or theArchangels, or theThrones andDominions, or theCherubimandSeraphim—whichareofevenhigherrank.Butknowthatnoneofthemcandoit.It’strue that they have great authority by the powers given to them from above. Languagecan’t describe their power, and nature could never have given it to them. But reasonforbidsustosupposethattheycouldgivethesepowerstoothers.

ButChristdoesgivethem,becauseheisGod,outofhisownfullness.ForhehimselfistheLordofgloryandpowers.

–St.CyrilofAlexandria,CommentaryonLuke,sermon47


DoIlisteninprayertothevoicesoftheangels?DoIallowthemtoleadmetowardthepowerofChrist?

CLOSINGPRAYER

BrightSpirit,whomtheLordofLovehassent tome fromHeaven toguardmeandcherishme, lovemeandguideme, letmenot forget yourpresence.May Ialwaysheedyourpromptings.

Angelsrejoicedatourbaptism

All the angels, and the Lord of angels, rejoice at a baptism, says St. JohnChrysostom.Inthatwaterasinfulhumanbeingdiesandanewpersonisborn.Soifwe’redeadtotheflesh,whydoweworrysomuchaboutmaterialthings?

“WhenChristwhoisourlifeappears,thenyoualsowillappearwithhiminglory”(Col.3:4).

Soifweshallappear,letusnotgrievewhenwearenothonored.Ifthislifeisnolife,butourreallifeishidden,thenweshouldlivethislifeasthoughweweredead.Then,hesays,youwillalsoappearwithhim inglory—inglory,hesays,not just thatweshouldappear.Thepearlishiddenwhenit’sintheoyster.

Soifwe’reinsulted,orwhateverwesuffer,letusnotgrieve.Thisisn’tourlife;we’reforeignersand travelers. “Foryouhavedied,”he says (Col.3:3).Whowouldbe stupidenoughtobuyservants,orbuildahouse,ormakeexpensiveclothesforacorpsealreadydeadandburied?Noone.Thenyoushouldn’teither.Theonlythingweneedisnottobenaked;that’sallweshouldlookfor.

Our firstman isburied—not in theearth,but inwater;notdestroyedbydeath,butburied by death’s destroyer; not by the law of nature, but by the commandment that’sstrongerthannature.Whatevernaturehasdonemayperhapsbeundone,butwhathasbeendonebyGod’scommandcanneverbeundone.

Nothingismoreblessedthanthisburial.Everyonerejoicesatit—angels,humans,andtheLordofangels.There’snoneedofanexpensivesuit,oracoffin,oranyofthosethingsatthisburial.

Wouldyouliketoseeasymbolofit?Icanshowyouapoolwhereonewasburiedandtheotherraised.It’stheRedSea:theEgyptianssankunderit,buttheIsraeliteswalkedupoutofit.InthesameactGodburiestheoneandregeneratestheother.



DoIrecognizethepresenceoftheangelswhenIcelebratethesacraments?Theywerethere at my baptism, but they are also with me at every Confession and every time IreceiveHolyCommunion.

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,wethankyouforthegracesyouhavegivenusinthesacraments.Nottheleast

amongthesegracesisthecompanionshipoftheholyangels.

Givinguslifefordeath

St.AugustineportraysChristasamerchantbuyingandselling.Butthedealheoffersus is onewe can’t refuse.We can trade our death and hardwork for his life andendlessbliss.

ChristishimselftheBreadwhichcamedownfromHeaven(John6:51);butBreadthatrefreshesthefailing,anddoesnotfail;Breadthatcanbetasted,andcannotbewasted.

ThisBreadiswhat themannaprefigured.This iswhyit issaid,“HegavethemtheBreadofHeaven,”and“manatethebreadofangels”(Ps.78:24-25).WhoistheBreadofHeaven,butChrist?

Butinorderthatmanmighteatangels’Bread,theLordofangelswasmademan.Forifhehadnotbeenmademan,wewouldnothavehis flesh. Ifwehadnothis flesh,wewouldnoteattheBreadofthealtar.

Let us hasten to the inheritance, since we have already received a great securitydepositfromit.Mybrethren,letuslongforthelifeofChrist,seeingweholdasadepositthedeathofChrist.Howcouldhenotgiveushisgoodthings,whenhehassufferedourevilthings?

Inthisourearth, inthisevilworld,whatis therethat isplentiful,but tobeborn, towork,andtodie?Examinethoroughlythehumancondition—convictmeifIlie—considerwhetherallofusareinthisworldforanyotherpurposethantobeborn,towork,andtodie. This is the merchandise of our country: these things are plentiful here. To suchmerchandisedidthatMerchantdescend.Now,everymerchantgivesandreceives—giveswhathehas, and receiveswhathedoesnothave.Whenheprocuresanything,hegivesmoney,andreceiveswhathebuys.SoChrist tooin thishisbusinessgaveandreceived.Butwhatdidhereceive?Hereceivedwhatisplentifulhere: tobeborn, towork,andtodie.Andwhatdidhegive?Tobebornagain,toriseagain,andtoreignforever.

–St.Augustine,Sermon80ontheNewTestament


DoIwillinglyofferup the trialsofbirth, labor,anddeath,ordoIstillcling to thisearthlyexistenceinspiteofthebreadofangelsthatChristoffersme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

OGoodMerchant,Igiveyouthanksthatyouhavealreadyboughtmeandpaidtheprice.Feedmewiththebreadofangels,sothatImayriseagainandreignforever.

WhatreallyhappensatMass

WhenapriestcelebratestheMassonearth,hetakespartintheworshipofHeaven.Hecorrespondsvisiblytotheinvisibleangels.

WheneverthepriestinvokestheHolySpiritandoffersthemostawesomesacrifice—whenheconstantlyhandlesthecommonLordofall—tellmewhatrankshallwegivehim?Whatgreatpurityandwhatrealpietymustwedemandofhim?Forconsiderwhatkindofhandsoughttoministerinthesethings,andwhatkindoftongueuttersuchwords.Andshouldn’tthesoulthatreceivessogreataspiritbepurerandholierthananythingintheworld?

At such a time, angels stand by the priest; and thewhole sanctuary, and the spaceroundaboutthealtar,isfilledwiththepowersofHeaven,inhonorofhimwholiesonit.For this, indeed, is capable of being proved from the very rites that are being thencelebrated.

Imyself have heard someone once relate, that a certain aged, venerableman,whooften saw revelations, used to tell that, at such a time, he saw suddenly, so far aswaspossibleforhim,amultitudeofangels,clothedinshiningrobes,andencirclingthealtar,andbendingdown,asonemightseesoldiersinthepresenceoftheirking.FormypartIbelieveit.

–St.JohnChrysostom,OnthePriesthood6.4


DoIprayforpriests,sothattheywillliveuptotheirholycalling,pureasangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holy guardian angels: watch over our priests as theyminister toGod’s people onearth.Givethemstrengthintemptation,wisdomintheirwords,constancyintheirdeeds.

TheEucharististheangels’food

OurMassinourownparishchurch,saysSt.Athanasius,isalreadypartofthatgreatheavenlybanquetthatwewillsharewiththeangels.

Thisbread,mybrethren,isthefoodoftherighteousnotjusthere,butinHeavenaswell.Itisnotonlythesaintsonearthwhoarenourishedbysuchbreadandsuchblood.WewillalsoeattheminHeaven.TheLordisthefoodevenoftheexaltedspirits;hesparesthemallaccordingtohismercy.TheLordhasalreadygivenusangels’food.Andthisiswhathepromisesthosewhocontinuewithhiminhistrials:“Iassigntoyou,asmyFatherassignedtome,akingdom,thatyoumayeatanddrinkatmytableinmykingdom,andsitonthronesjudgingthetwelvetribesofIsrael”(Luke22:28-30).

Whatabanquetthatis!Howgreattheharmonyandgladnessofthosewhoeatatthatheavenlytable!Theydelightthemselves,notwithfoodthatisthrownaway,butwiththefoodthatproduceseverlastinglife.

–St.Athanasius,FestalEpistle8


WhenIapproachtheEucharisttoreceivethefoodofangels,amIfilledwithharmonyandgladness?OrdoIstillhavelingeringresentmentsagainstotherswhomightbesharingthebanquetwithme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,feedmewiththefoodoftheangels;letmeshareitnow,andeternallywithallthejustinHeaven.

We’refedwithwhatangelstrembletosee

Doyoureallyknow,St.JohnChrysostomasks,whatanhonor it is tobe invited tocommunionwithChrist? Angels tremble even to see the body ofChrist, butwe’reinvitedtomakeourbodiesonewithhis.

Thinkofhowindignantyouareagainstthetraitor,againsttheoneswhocrucifiedJesus. So look out!Make sure you yourself don’t also become guilty of the body andbloodofChrist.Theyslaughteredtheall-holybody,butyoureceiveitinafilthysoulaftersuch great benefits. It wasn’t enough for him to be made man, to be smitten andslaughtered, but he also commingles himselfwith us, andnot by faith only, but also inactualdeedmakesushisbody.

Thenifyouhavethebenefitofthissacrifice,shouldn’tyoubepurerthananything?Thehandthatistoseverthisflesh,themouththatisfilledwithspiritualfire,thetonguethat is reddenedby thatmost awfulblood—shouldn’t theybepurer thanany sunbeam?Thinkwhatanhonoritis,whatsortoftableyou’resharing!WhenangelsseetheBodyofChrist, they tremble, anddarenot somuchas lookup at itwithout awebecauseof thebrightness thatcomesfromit.Butwe’refedwith it,commingledwith it,andmadeonebodyandonefleshwithChrist.

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily82onMatthew


DoIrecognizethatGodhasgivenmetopossessmysteries“intowhichangelslongtolook”(1Peter1:12)?AmIgratefulforthisgift?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,whoworshipwithmeintheMass,leadmetotheheightsanddepthsofthemysteryofourLord’srealpresence.

TheWordofGodfeedstheangels

The angels don’t need sermons or readings to tell them God’s word, says St.Augustine.TheyhaveGod’sWord,GodtheSon,withthemallthetime.Andwe’llbelikethatwhenwe’rewiththeangelsinHeaven.

“Giveusthisdayourdailybread”comesnextintheprayer.

WemightbeaskingtheFatherforthesupportweneedforthebody,“bread”meaningwhateverweneed;orwemightmeanthatdailybreadwe’reabouttoreceiveatthealtar—eitherway,it’sgoodforustopraythatheshouldgiveittous.

What else arewepraying for, after all, but thatwemightnotdoanythingevil thatwould separate us from that holy bread?And theword ofGod preached daily is dailybread.Justbecauseitisn’tbreadforthebody,thatdoesn’tmeanit’snotbreadforthesoul.

But when this life is gone, wewon’t look for the bread hunger looks for, andwewon’thavetoreceivethesacramentofthealtareither.Thenwe’llbewithChrist,whosebodywereceivenow.Iwon’tneedtospeakthesewordstoyouanymore,andyouwon’thavetoreadtheScripturesanymore,becausewe’llseetheOnewhoistheWordofGodhimself,bywhomallthingsweremade.Byhimtheangelsbecomewise.Theydon’tneedlongwinded speeches: they just drink in the onlyWord, and then, filledwith him, theyburstoutinunfailingpraise.



DoIspendenoughtimewiththeWordofGod?WouldithelpmebemoreregularinreadingScripture,orlisteningtothereadingsandthehomilyatMass,ifIrememberedthatI’mgaining,howeverimperfectly,theknowledgetheangelshaveinHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,feedusasyoufeedyourangels,withbreadfromHeaven.

FiretoeatandSpirittodrink

St.EphremtheSyrianisdeeplyawareofthemiraculouspoweroftheEucharist.It’sanewmiracle,hesays:we’rebeinggiventheverysubstanceoftheangelstoeatanddrink.

WhentheLordcamedowntoearthamongmortals,hemadethemanewcreation.Just as in theangels,hemingled fire and spirit, so that theymightbemadeof fireandspiritinahiddenway.

TheSeraphdidnotbringthelivingcoalnearwithhisfingers.ItonlycameclosetoIsaiah’smouth;hedidnottakeholdofitoreatit(Isa.6:6).ButtheLordhasgivenittousbothtoholdandtoeat.

To the angels,whichare spiritual,Abrahambroughtbodily food, and theyate.Butthisisanewmiracle:nowourLordgivestobodilycreaturesFireandtheSpiritasfoodanddrink.

Firecamedownonsinnersinwrathandconsumedthem.ButtheFireoftheMercifulOnecomesdowninbreadandstays.Insteadof thefire thatdevouredsinners,youeataFireinbreadandaremadealive.

As fire camedownon the sacrificeofElijahandconsumed it (1Kings18:38), theFireofmercyhasbecomealivingsacrificetous.Fireateuptheoblations,andwe,Lord,haveeatenyourFireinyouroblation.



WhenIgotoMasstotakethefoodofangels,doItrytokeepmyselfawareofwhatamiracleishappening?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Healmyfrightatthedangers,Lord,andletmetakeheartinyou,sothatwithyourangelssurroundingme,ImaypartakeoftheSpiritinyourbreadandtheFireinyourcup.

WeshareinthepraiseoftheSeraphim

ExplainingtheChristianliturgytohisstudents,St.CyrilofJerusalemtellsthemthatthe“Sanctus”—the“Holy,Holy,Holy”hymnthatwestillsinginourliturgy—isourwayofsharingintheeternalpraiseoftheSeraphimwhosurroundthethroneofGod.

Afterthis,wementionheaven,earth,andsea;thesunandthemoon;thestarsandall creation, rational and irrational, visible and invisible; Angels, Archangels, Virtues,Dominions,Principalities,Powers,Thrones;theCherubimwithmanyfaces.Ineffect,werepeatthecallofDavid:“OmagnifytheLordwithme!”(Ps.34:3).WealsomentiontheSeraphim,whomIsaiah in theHolySpirit sawstandingaround the throneofGod:withtwowingstheyveiledtheirfaces,withtwotheyveiledtheirfeet,andwithtwotheyflew,crying,“Holy,holy,holyistheLordofhosts”(Isa.6:3).

We recite this confession of God, which has been handed down to us from theSeraphim,sothatwemaysharewiththehostsoftheworldaboveintheirhymnofpraise.

–St.CyrilofJerusalem,CatecheticalLecture23


Howdoesknowing that I’m joining theheavenlychoir inpraisingGodchangemyperceptionoftheMass?DoesitmakemewanttobeatMassmoreoften?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Beforetheresplendentthroneofyourmajesty,OLord,theawe-inspiringseatofthestrengthofyourlove,andthealtarofsalvationthatyourwillhasestablished,inthelandofyourpasture,with thousandsofCherubimpraisingyou,and ten thousandsSeraphimsanctifyingyou,wedrawnear,adore,thank,andglorifyyoualways,OLordofall.

Theangels’holiday

St.Athanasiusremindsusthattheheavenlyfeast,wherewesharetheBreadofLifewiththeangels,isnotfortheimpure.

Whowillleadustosuchacompanyofangelsasthis?Whowillcomewithadesirefortheheavenlyfeastandtheangels’holiday,andwillsayliketheprophet,“Iwentwiththethrong,andledtheminprocessiontothehouseofGod,withgladshoutsandsongsofthanksgiving,amultitudekeepingfestival”(Ps.42:4)?

The saints also encourage us to such a state: they say, “Come, let us go up to themountainoftheLord,tothehouseoftheGodofJacob”(Isa.2:3).

Butthiskindoffeastisnotforanimpureperson.Itisnotforsinnerstoapproachit.Itisforthevirtuousanddiligent.

WhoshallascendthehilloftheLord?

Andwhoshallstandinhisholyplace?

Hewhohascleanhandsandapureheart,

whodoesnotliftuphissoultowhatisfalse,

anddoesnotsweardeceitfully(Ps.24:3-4).

And the psalmist adds that, when he goes up, “He will receive blessing from theLord”(Ps.24:5).



How careful am I to make sure that I’ve purified my heart before I celebrate theEucharisticholidaywiththeangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,sendyourholyangels toguidemein thewaysofpurity,andpresentmeholybesideyourholyaltar.

Rememberwhereyouare,andmindyourmanners!

Whenwe’reatMass,St.JohnChrysostomremindsus,we’restandingrighttherewiththechoirsofangels,singing“Holy,holy,holy”alongwiththem.Areyousingingthatheavenlyhymnwiththesamemouthyoujustusedtoinsultyourneighbor?

Thinkwhoyou’restandingwithat the timeof themysteries:with theCherubimandtheSeraphim!TheSeraphimareneverinsulting.No,theirmouthshaveonlyoneduty:tosingthehymnofpraise—toglorifyGod.

Howcanyousing“Holy,holy,holy”withthemifyouuseyourmouthforinsults?

Suppose therewerea royalvessel,alwaysfilledwithroyaldelicacies,andsetapartonly for that purpose.Now suppose that one of the servants used it for carrying dung.Wouldheeveragainventuretoputitawaywiththeotherdishesforroyaldelicaciesafterithadbeenfilledwithdung?Ofcoursenot!

That’swhatit’slikewhenyoumakefunofpeopleorinsultthem.

“Our Father”—but wait! That’s not all! Listen to the next words: “who art inHeaven.”

Themomentyou say, “OurFather,whoart inHeaven,” thatword raisesyouup. Itgiveswingstoyourmind.ItremindsyouthatyoudohaveaFatherinHeaven.

Don’thaveanythingtodowithearthlythings,then.Don’ttalkaboutthem.Hehassetyouamongthathostabove!Hehasnumberedyouamongtheheavenlychoir.Whydragyourselfdown?You’restandingbesidetheroyalthrone—andyouinsultsomeone!Aren’tyouafraidtheKingwillthinkit’sanoutrage?

Evenamongus,werebukeaservantifhebeatsorassaultshisfellowservant—evenifhehasagoodreasontodoit.Wethinkit’sanoutrage.

Andyetyou,standingwiththeCherubimrightbesidetheKing’sthrone—youinsultyourbrother?

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily14onEphesians


DoIlookonmybodyasasacredvessel,likethechaliceandthepatenusedatMass?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,throughtheministryofyourangels,bealwaysinmyheartandmindandonmylips.Purifymeasavesselofyourpresenceintheworld.

Christbecamemansowecouldfeastwithangels

TheangelsfeedonthevisionoftheWord,saysSt.Augustine.Wecan’tseethewholevision yet—only the angels can do that. But Christ became man, taking on weakhumanflesh,sothatwecouldhavethatangelicfoodinawaywecouldcomprehend.

Hewhowasbornofavirginbroughtyouatemporalmiracle:hewasnotbornofafather—notofamanforhisfather,Imean—yethewasbornoftheflesh.Butitshouldn’tseemimpossibletoyouthathewasbornofhismotheralone,sincehemademanbeforetherewasafatheroramother.

Sohebroughtyouatemporalmiracle,sothatyoumayseekandadmirehimwhoiseternal.Forhewhocame forthas abridegroomoutofhis chamber—that is,outof thewomb of the virgin—he brought a temporal miracle, but he himself is eternal. He iscoeternalwiththeFather.

Heistheonewho“InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod” ( John1:1).Hedidwhat it took tocureyou, so thatyoucouldseewhatyoudidn’tseebefore.

WhatyoudespiseinChristisnotyetthecontemplationofsomeonewhoiscured,butthemedicineofthesick.Don’truntothevisionofthewholetooquickly.Theangelsseeit; the angels rejoice; the angels feedon it and live.What they feedonnever fails, andtheirfoodneverlessens.Inthethronesofglory,intheregionsoftheheavens,intheplacesabovetheheavens,theWordisseenbytheangels,andthatistheirjoyandtheirfood,andtheWordendures.

Butsothatwecouldeatthebreadofangels,theLordoftheangelsbecameman.Thisisoursalvation—themedicineoftheweak,thefoodofthehealthy.

–St.Augustine,Sermon76ontheNewTestament,5-6


TheWordbecamefleshsothatfleshcouldseewhatthepurespiritsseeinHeaven—andsharethefeastofHeavenevenhereonearth.Thisisthewonderofsalvation.

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, who gave us the bread of angels to be our food, send your Holy Spirit toenlightenmymindasIcontemplateyourholyWord.

FeastlikeMoses,fastlikeDaniel

When we approach the Eucharist, says St. Athanasius, we should remember thatwe’rejoiningtheangelsinthefeast.

Letusnotactlikepeoplewhokeepthefeastonearth.Letusactasifweknewwewerecelebratingitwithangels.LetusglorifytheLordbytemperance,righteousness,andalltheothervirtues.AndletusrejoiceintheLord,notinourselves,sothatwemayalsoinheritwiththesaints.

LetuskeepthefeastasMosesdid.LetusbewakefullikeDavid,whogotupseventimes,andinthemiddleofthenightgavethanksfortherighteousjudgmentsofGod.Letus be early: as he said, “OLord, in themorning you hearmy voice; in themorning Iprepare a sacrifice for you, and watch” (Ps. 5:3). Let us fast like Daniel; let us praywithout ceasing, as Paul told us to do. Let us all recognize the season of prayer—butespeciallythosewhoarehonorablymarried,sothatwhenthesethingswitnessforus,andwe keep the feast by them, we may be able to enter into the joy of our Lord in thekingdomofHeaven.



HowdoInormallypreparefortheEucharist?HowwouldmypreparationbedifferentifIexpectedtomeetangelsatthetable?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord, let your angel touch my heart, as the angel touched the lips of Isaiah theprophet.

Givethanksforthefoodoftheangels

Godbecameman,saysSt.Augustine,sowecouldeat the foodofangels—whichistruth,wisdom,andthegoodnessofGod.Weshouldgivethanksatleastasreadilyaswedowhensomeonegivesussomethinggoodtoeat.

SoIhavesaid,praise theLord, for theLord isgood;sing tohisname,forhe issweet.

HeisMediator,andissweetforthatreason.Whatissweeterthanangels’food?HowcanGodnotbesweet,sincemanateangels’food?

Humanbeings and angels do not live ondifferent foods.The angels’ food is truth,wisdom,andthegoodnessofGod,butyoucan’tenjoyitinthesamewayastheangels.Sothatmanmighteatangels’food,theCreatoroftheangelswasmademan.Ifyoutaste,singpraises;ifyouhavetastedhowsweettheLordis,singpraises;ifwhatyouhavetastedhasagoodflavor,praiseit.

Areanyofussounthankfultoacookorafoodvendorthatwedon’treturnthanksbypraising what we taste if we’re pleased with the food? If we’re not silent on suchoccasions,howcanwebesilentaboutGod,whohasgivenuseverything?



AmIthankfuleverydaytoGodforthefoodofangels?Forthatmatter,amIthankfuleverydayforthefoodIeat,bothtoGodandtothepeoplewhomadeitforme?HowcanIcultivateahabitofgratitude?

CLOSINGPRAYER

OGod, who sent forth the heavenly bread, the food of the whole world, our LordJesusChrist,tobeaSavior,andRedeemer,andBenefactor,blessme,andleadmetojointhechoirsofangelsingratefulpraise.

ThecompanyofHeaveniswithusonEarth.

St.Basilshowsusawaytoimitatetheangelsinthemidstofourordinarywork.

Pious exercises nourish the soul with divine thoughts.What state can be moreblessedthantoimitateonearththechorusesofangels?Tobeginthedaywithprayer,andhonorourMakerwithhymnsandsongs?As thedaybrightens, toaccompanyour laborwithprayer,andtoseasonourworkwithhymnsasifwithsalt?Soothinghymnscomposethemindtoacheerfulandcalmstate.Quiet, then,asIhavesaid, is thefirststepinoursanctification;thetonguepurifiedfromthegossipoftheworld;theeyesunexcitedbyfaircolororcomelyshape;theearnotrelaxingthetoneormindbyvoluptuoussongs,norbythat special mischief, the talk of light men and jesters. Thus the mind, saved fromdissipation fromwithout, andnot through the senses thrownupon theworld, falls backuponitself,andtherebyascendstothecontemplationofGod.

–St.BasiltheGreat,Letters2.2.


Do I begin my days well, with a prayer of “Morning Offering”? Do I renew thatprayeroftenthroughouttheday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

OJesus,throughtheimmaculateheartofMaryandinunionwiththeangels,Iofferyouallmyprayers,works,joysandsufferingsofthisday.

Angelicharporearthlylyre?

St. Augustine, who was an expert musician, sees a metaphorical meaning in themusical instruments mentioned in the Psalms. When we do what God commands,we’replayingtheharpwiththeangels;whenwesufferherebelowforthesakeofourfaith,we’replayingtheearthlylyre.

“Iwillpraiseyouwiththelyre,OGod,myGod”(Ps.43:4).

What does itmean to praise himwith the lyre, orwith the harp? For he does notalwayspraisewiththelyreorharp.

These two musical instruments each have a particular meaning and it’s worth ourwhiletoconsiderwhatitis.Botharecarriedinthehands,andplayedbytouching.Theystandforcertainbodilyworksofours.Botharegood—ifyouknowhowtoplaythelyreorharp.Buttheharphasitssoundingboard—thatdrumorhollowpieceofwoodthatthestrings vibrate against,making the sound—on theupper part,whereas the lyre has thatsamecurvedsoundingboardonthelowerpart.

We canmake that same distinction between ourworks on the lyre or on the harp.Both,however,areacceptabletoGod,andgratefultohisear.

Whenwe do anything according toGod’s commandments, obeying his commandsandlisteningtohimsothatwewillknowwhattodo—whenweareactiveandnotpassive—thenwe’replayingtheharp.Thisiswhattheangelsdo,fortheyhavenothingtosuffer.

Butwhenwehave to suffer tribulationsor trialsor insultson this earth, this is thelyre.Wesufferonlyfromthe lowerpartofus—that is to say, from the fact thatwearemortal, and thatweowesomeofour trouble toouroriginalcause,andwesuffermuchfromthosewhoarebelowus.Thisalsoisasweetmelodyrisingfrombelow.

Sowhenwesuffer,weplaythelyre;whenwesing,weplaytheharp.



DoIrecognizethateverythingIhaveisagiftfromGodintendedforuseinglorifyinghim?DoIglorifyGodwithallmygifts,astheangelsdo?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelofGod,helpmetousemygiftsforGod’sgloryandoffermysufferingsforhisgloryaswell.

Sailingintoport

Afteralongandstormyvoyage,saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria,thesoulfindsrestinthesafehavenabove,carriedtherebytheangelsofHeaven.

“ThepoormandiedandwascarriedbytheangelstoAbraham’sbosom.Therichmanalsodiedandwasburied”(Luke16:22).

LookattheSavior’swordscarefully.Thepoorman,hesays,wascarriedbyangelstoAbraham’sbosom—butoftherichmanthereisnothingofthesort,butonlythathediedandwasburied.

ThosewhohavehopeinGodfindthattheirdeparturefromtheworldisadeliverancefromanguishandpain.Ships that sailon the sea stand the shockof savagewaves, andstrugglewith theviolenceofmightywinds.Butafterwards,whentheyarriveat tranquilhavensfitfortheirrest,theyendtheirtossingaboutthere.Inthesameway,Ithink,humansouls,whentheyemergefromtheturbulenceofearthlythings,enterthemansionsthatareabove,likeahavenofsalvation.



How does it change my view of death to think of it as sailing out of the storm,surroundedbyangels,ratherthansailingintoit?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelofGod,bemyguideandmyhelpinmyvoyage,andbringmeatlasttoasafeandtranquilhaven.

Guidedintoeternity

Scripture tellsus thatwehaveguides to takeoursoulswhenwedie, saysSt.JohnChrysostom.Whateveroureternaldestination,theheavenlybeingscomewithustomakesurewegetthere.

It’squitecertainthatsoulswhentheyleavethebodydonotstilllingerhere,butareledawayimmediately.Here’showweknow:“Thepoormandiedandwascarriedbytheangels”(Luke16:22).

Notonlythesoulsofthejust,butalsothoseofsinnersareledaway.Thisalsoisclearfrom thecaseofanother richman.Forwhenhis landbrought forthabundantly,he saidwithinhimself,“Iwilldo this: Iwillpulldownmybarns,andbuild largerones” (Luke12:18).Yes,hereallydidpulldownhisbarns—forsecurestorehousesarenotbuiltwithwallsofstone;theyare“themouthsofthepoor.”Butthismanforgotaboutthese:hewasbusywithhisstonewalls.

ButwhatdidGodsaytohim?“Fool!Thisnightyoursoulisrequiredofyou.”Andlookclosely:inonepassageitissaidthatthesouliscarriedawaybyangels;intheother,that“itisrequired”—andinthelattercasetheyleaditawayasaprisoner;intheformer,theyguardandconductitasacrownedvictor.

Whenafighter inthearenahasreceivedmanywoundsandisdrenchedwithblood,withhisheadencircledwithacrown,thosewhostandreadybythespottakehimup,andwithgreatapplauseandpraisetheycarryhimhomeamidshoutingandadmiration.InthesamewaytheangelsonthatoccasionledLazarusaway.Butintheotherinstancedreadfulpowers,probablysentforthatpurpose,requiredthesoul.Thesouldoesn’tdepartthislifeof itsownfreewill; infact, itcan’t. Ifweneedguideswhenwetravelfromonecity toanother;muchmore does the soul need thosewho can conduct it,when it is separatedfromtheflesh,andisenteringuponthefuturestateofexistence.

–St.JohnChrysostomFourDiscourses,ChieflyontheParableoftheRichManandLazarus,Discourse2,chapter2


WillIbecarriedhomebytheangelsamidshoutingandadmiration?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Sanctifymysoul,Lord,sothatImayatlastbecarriedhomebyyourholyangelstodwellforeveramongtheblessedandthejust.

Carriedtoheavenbyangels

Amartyrwrotedownadreamorvisionhehadwhilewaitinginprison.InitweseehowtheveryearlyChristians imagined theirdeaths:angelscarry themtoahappymeetingwiththeirdepartedfriends.

Wehadbeenmartyred,andwehadgoneforthfromtheflesh,andwewerebeingcarried by four angels into the east, though their hands didn’t touch us. We were notfloatingonourbackslookingup,butasifwewereascendingagentleslope.

At last,whenwewere set free,we saw the firstboundless light. “Perpetua,” I said(shewasbesideme),“thisiswhattheLordpromisedus!We’vereceivedthepromise!”

Andwhilewewere carried by those same four angels,we saw a vast space like apleasure-garden,with rose bushes and every kind of flower.The treeswere as tall as acypress,andtheirleaveswerefallingincessantly.

In thatpleasure-garden fourother angels appeared,brighter than thepreviousones.Whentheysawus,theygaveushonor,andsaidadmiringlytotherestoftheangels,“Heretheyare!Heretheyare!”

Thosefourangelswhoboreus,greatlyafraid,putusdown.Wewalkedonfootaboutan eighth of a mile in a broad path. There we found Jocundus and Saturninus andArtaxius,whohadbeenburntaliveinthesamepersecution;andQuintus,anothermartyrwhohaddied inprison.Weasked themwhere the restwere.And theangelssaid tous,“Comefirst,enterandgreetyourLord.”

–MartyrdomofSaintsPerpetuaandFelicity,4.1


Willtheangelspointmeouttoeachotherandgreetmewithjoyandwonder?EvenifI’mnotcalledtobeamartyr,istheresomeresponsibilitythatI’mdisappointingtheangelsbyshirking?

CLOSINGPRAYER

MyGuardianAngel, helpme to face the death thatGodhas appointed tomewithcourage,withpeace,andwithperseveranceinfaith,hope,andlove.Maytheangelsleadmeintoparadise.

CarriedbyangelstoAbraham’sbosom

In Jesus’ story of the richman andLazarus (Luke 16:19-31),we hear that angelscarriedpoorLazarusto“Abraham’sbosom”whenhedied.WhyAbraham?Because,saysSt.AsteriusofAmasea,ofall theOldTestament figuresAbrahamwas theonemostintimatelyassociatedwithChrist.

AnditcametopassthatthebeggardiedandwascarriedawaybytheangelsintoAbraham’sbosom.

Angelswerehisbodyguard,lookinguponhimgentlyandmildly,andshowinghimbythewaytheytreatedhimtheattendanceandreliefthatawaitedhim.Andhewastakenandplaced in the bosomof the patriarch—a statement that gives ground for doubt to thosewho like to questionminutely the deep things of the Scriptures, for if every justman,when he dies, should be taken to the sameplace, the bosomwould be a great one andexpandedtoanendlessextent,ifitwereintendedtoaccommodatethewholemultitudeofthe saints.But if this is absolutely impossible, the thought presents itself to us that thematerialbosomisthesymbolofaspiritualtruth.

Andwhatdoesitmean?Abraham,hesays,receivesthosewhohavelivedanuprightlife.Thentellus,wonderfulLuke,why,whenthereweremanyjustmen,evenolderthanAbraham,didyouwithholdthisdistinctionfromhispredecessors,passinginsilenceoverEnoch,Noah,andmanyotherswhowereliketheseintheirwayoflife?

AbrahamwasaministerofChrist,and,beyondothermen,receivedwhatbelongstothe revelationofChrist, and themysteryof theTrinitywasadequatelyembodied in thetentofthisoldmanwhenheentertainedthethreeangelsaswayfaringmen.Inshort,aftermanymysticalenigmas,hebecamethefriendofGod,theGodwho,lateron,putonfleshand,throughthemediumofthishumanveil,openlyassociatedwithhumanbeings.ThisiswhyChristsaysthatAbraham’sbosomisasortoffairhaven,andshelteredresting-placeforthejust.Forweallhaveoursalvationandexpectationofthelifetocome,inChrist,who,inhishumandescent,sprangfromthefleshofAbraham.

–St.AsteriusofAmasea,Sermon1:TheRichManandLazarus


WhenIfindsomethingobscureinScripture,doesitmakemedoubt,ordoesitmakemeprayerfullyseek,withtheangels’assistance,forthedeepermeaning?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,countmeworthytoknowthemeaningofyourWord,whichyouhavedelivered

throughtheministryofyourangelstoallyourpeople.

Tobewiththeangels

Overcomebygriefhimself,St.Jeromeneverthelesshasthedifficulttaskofconsolingoneofhisdearfriendsforthelossofheryoungdaughter.Hecannotdenyhishumanfeelings,butheknowsthat,forthefaithfulyoungwomanwhodied,thereisonlytheunfathomablejoyofbeingcarriedbytheangelstomeetChrist.

“O that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I mightweep”—notasJeremiahsays,fortheslainofmypeople(Jer.9:1),or,asJesusdid,forthemiserablefateofJerusalem(Luke19:41),butforholiness,mercy,innocence,chastity,andallthevirtues,fortheyareallgonenowthatBlaesillaisdead.Idonotgrieveforhersake,butformyselfImust;mylossistoogreattobearwithresignation.

Butwhatisthis?Iwishtocheckamother’sweeping,andIgroanmyself.Imakenosecret ofmy feelings; this entire letter iswritten in tears. Even Jesuswept forLazarusbecausehelovedhim(John11:35-36).ButI’mapoorcomforterifI’movercomebymyownsighs,andwhentearsarewrungfrommybreakingheartalongwithmywords.DearPaula,myagony is as great as yours. Jesusknows it,whomBlaesilla now follows; theholyangelsknow it,whosecompanyshenowenjoys. Iwasher father in the spirit,herfoster-fatherinaffection.

Butwhyshoulddeathbehard tobear,whenwemust endure itourselvesoneday?Andwhydowegrieveforthedead?Wearenotborntoliveforever.Abraham,Moses,andIsaiah;Peter,James,andJohn;Paul, thechosenvessel(Acts9:15);andeventheSonofGodhimselfhavealldied;andarewetroubledwhenasoulleavesitsearthlylodging?

We should indeedmourn for the dead, but only for himwhomGehenna receives,whomTartarusdevours,andforwhosepunishmenttheeternalfireburns.Butwewho,indeparting, are accompanied by an escort of angels, andmet by Christ Himself, shouldrathergrievethatwehavetolingerstillinthistabernacleofdeath(2Cor.5:4).Forwhileweareathomeinthebody,weareabsentfromtheLord(2Cor.5:6).

–St.Jerome,Letter39,1-3


DoesmybeliefintheangelsmakeiteasierformetobepeacefulwhenIthinkofmyown death? Am I confident that they will guide me safely through any suffering andtribulation?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Angel ofGod, upholdme in faith, andwinme the fortitude to facemy owndeath,

trustinginyouuntiltheend.

Angelsarewaitingforus

Intheend,saysSt.Augustine,we’llrejointheangels,andallofustogetherwillmakeonetempleofGod,oneheavenlyJerusalem.

ThehouseofGodisalsoacity.ForthehouseofGodisthepeopleofGod.ThehouseofGodisthetempleofGod.WhatdoestheApostlesay?“ForGod’stempleisholy,andthattempleyouare”(1Cor.3:17).

All thefaithfularethehouseofGod—notonlythosewhoexistnow,butalsothosewhohaveexistedbeforeus,andthosewhowillcomeafterus,totheendoftheworld.Theinnumerablehostsofthefaithfularegatheredintoonebody,butcountedbytheLord.Asthe apostle says, “The Lord knows those who are his” (2 Tim. 2:19). Those grains ofwheatthatarestillgroaningamongthechaffwillbemadeintoonemasswhenthefloorhas beenwinnowed in the end. Thewhole number of faithful saints are destined to bechangedfromthehumanstatesothattheybecomeequaltotheangelsofGod.Andthentheywillbejoinedwiththeangels,whoarenolongerpilgrims,butarewaitingforustocomebackfromourpilgrimage.

AllofthesetogetherwillformonehouseofGod,andonecity.



Am I doingmy best to live the unity of the Church now, so that I will be joinedforeverwiththeangelswhenIcomebackfrommypilgrimage?

CLOSINGPRAYER

KingofPeace,grantyourChurchpeaceinunityandlove,anduniteyourservantsonEarthwiththehostsofangelswhomakeupyourChurchinHeaven.

Angelsrejoiceatanewarrival

St.Ambroseremembersholymenwhoseprayersendedwarsonearth.WhensuchamanistakenuptoHeaven,hesays,theangelsrejoicetowelcomehim.

Don’tweknowthatthesaintsarefightingevenwhenthey’reonholiday?Wasn’tElishaatrest?Yes,atrestinbody,butinspirithewasactive,andhefoughtbyhisprayerswhen the noise of horses and the noise of a great host were heard in the camp of theSyrians,sothattheythoughtthattheforcesofotherprincesweremarchingagainstthem,tobringhelptothepeopleofIsrael.Sotheywereseizedwithgreatpanicandfled—andfourlepers,whohadgoneouthopingtodie,lootedtheircamp.

And didn’t the Lord work similar wisdom in Macedonia—or I might almost saygreater—bytheprayersofAcholius?Foritwasnotbyanidlepanicoravaguesuspicion,butbyaragingplagueandburningpestilence,thattheGothsweretroubledandalarmed.Inshort,theyranawayhopingtoescape;afterwardstheycamebackandbeggedforpeacetosavetheirlives.

Thusinthegreatdeedsofthiseminentmanwehaveseenformeragesrevived,andhavewitnessedtheworkswehavereadof theprophetdoing.LikeElishahewasallhislife in themidst of armsandbattles, andbyhisgoodworkshe endedwars.Andwhentranquilitywas restored tohiscountrymen,hebreathedouthisholy soul—amisfortuneheavierthanwaritself.LikeElijahhewascarrieduptoHeaven,notinachariotoffire,norbyhorsesoffire(unless,ofcourse,wejustdidn’tseethem),norinanywhirlwindinthe sky,butby thewill and in thecalmofourGod,andwith the jubilationof theholyangelswhorejoicedthatsuchamanhadcomeamongthem.



Rememberingwhatgreatthingshavebeendonethroughprayer,howismyprayerlifegoing?AmIthesortofpersonwhomtheangelswillrejoicetogreet?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,may your angels bring peace to the earth—peace to nations, neighborhoods,andhomes—andbringallourenmitiestoanend.

Shininglikethesun

RufinusofAquileiaremindsusthat,intheresurrection,ourbodieswillbechangedand glorified, just as Christ’s was. What was planted as a physical body will beraisedasaspiritualbody,fitforthecompanionshipofangels.

But since God’s saints have these promises, and an infinite number like them,about the resurrection of the righteous, it should not be hard now for us to believe thepromisesthattheprophetshaveforetoldaswell—namely,thattherighteouswillshineasthesunandasthebrightnessofthefirmamentinthekingdomofGod(Matt.13:43,Daniel12:3).Whyshoulditbehardtobelievethattheywillhavethebrightnessofthesun,andbeadornedwiththesplendorofthestarsandofthisfirmament,ifthelifeandconversationofGod’sangelsarebeingpreparedfortheminHeaven?Wehavebeentoldthatwewillbemolded to the glory of Christ’s body!When he speaks of that glory, promised by theSavior’s mouth, the holy apostle says that “It is sown a physical body, it is raised aspiritualbody”(1Cor.15:44).

Ifitistrue,asitcertainlyistrue,thatGodreallywillbringeveryoneoftherighteousand the saints into companionship with the angels, then it is certain that he will alsochangetheirbodiesintothegloryofaspiritualbody.

–Rufinus,CommentaryontheApostles’Creed,46


Which thingsarehardest forme tobelieve inChristian teaching?Have Iaskedmyguardianangel tohelpmyunderstanding?Do I submitmyself to theChurch’s teachinguntiltheunderstandingisgrantedtome?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianandGuide,touchmyunderstanding,andhelpmetobelievewhatIcannotunderstand.

TrustinGod’sjustice

Godjudgedeventheangelsjustly,saysSt.GregorytheGreat,soweshouldhavenodoubtthathewilljudgeusjustly.

Whenwehavedoubtsaboutthethingsthataredoneconcerningus,weshouldlookatothersthatweknowwell,andquietthatgrumblingofthethoughtthatcameupbecauseofouruncertainty.

Look then: scourges bring the elect back to life, but not even scourges keep thewicked from doing evil. So Almighty God’s judgments on us are very secret, and notunjust.

Butifwestretchourmind’seyeuptothethingsabove,weseebythosethatwehavenothing we can justly complain about in what happens to us. For Almighty God,discerningthemeritsofangels,decreedthatsomewouldremainineternal lightwithoutfalling; but others, who had fallen by free will from their height, he laid low in thevengeanceofeternaldamnation.

SoweseethatGoddoesnothingunjustly,sincehejustlyjudgedevenanaturemorerefinedthanours.

–St.GregorytheGreat,MoraliainJob,15.61.7


I know that God will judgeme as justly as he judged the angels; but am I doingeverything Ican to takeadvantageof themercyofhis forgiveness?Forexample,whenwasthelasttimeIconfessed?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,youjudgedangelsjustly,butformortalsyoudecreedmercyaswellasjustice.Bemindfulofme,Lord,yourlowly,sinful,anduntrustworthyservant,andinyourmercyblotoutmysins.

Angelsdon’taskaboutyourincome

When Christ sends the angels to gather his chosen people, says St. Cyril ofJerusalem, itwon’tmatteratallwhetheryou’rerichorpoor.Onearth,Christwaspoorhimself,sohewon’tforgetthepooramonghiselect.

That King, so great and glorious, attended by trains of angels, who shares theFather’sthrone,willnotdespisehisownservants.

Hiselectwillnotbeconfusedwithhisfoes:“andhewillsendouthisangelswithaloud trumpetcall,and theywillgatherhiselect fromthe fourwinds” (Matt.24:31).Hedespised no one, not even Lot; so how could he despisemany righteous? “Come, youblessedofmyFather,”hewillsaytothem,andthentheywillrideonchariotsofclouds,andbecollectedbyangels.

Butsomeoneheremaybesaying,“Iamapoorman,”or“WhatifwhenthathappensI’msickandinbed?”or“Iamonlyawoman,andIshallbetakenat themill:shallwethenbedespised?”

Be of good courage. The Judge is no respecter of persons; “He shall not judge bywhat his eyes see, or decide bywhat his ears hear” (Isa. 11:3).He does not honor theeducatedbeforethesimple,ortherichbeforetheneedy.Evenifyouareinthefield,theangelswilltakeyou;donotthinkthathewilltakethelandlordandleaveyou,thefarmer.Evenifyou’reaslave,evenifyou’repoor,don’tworryatall:hewhotooktheformofaservantdoesnotdespiseservants.

–St.CyrilofJerusalem,CatecheticalLecture15,22-23


Inmyown relationswith theworld,do I imitate theLord’sblindness to statusandmoney?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,helpmealwaystorememberthepoor,thewidowsandorphans,theforeignersvisitingourland,andallwhoareinneed.

Ourredemptionbenefitstheangelsaswell

Becauseofoursin,saysSt.Augustine,therewasawallofhostilitybetweenusandthe angels. So in redeeming us,Christ gave the angels a great benefit aswell: hemadeustheirfriendsagain.

WewillnotknowtheotherpartoftheChurchasitreallyis—thepartmadeupoftheholyangels and thepowersofGod—until, at theendof theage,we join it tohaveeternalblissalongwithit.Weknowtheotherpartbetterbecausewe’reinit:thepartthatisseparatedfromtheheavenlyfellowshipandwandersthroughtheearth.Thisisthepartthat thebloodof thesinlessMediatorhas redeemedfromsin.This isourbattlecry:“IfGodisforus,whoisagainstus?HewhodidnotsparehisownSonbutgavehimupforusall”(Rom.8:31-32).

Christ didn’t die for the angels. But still,whatwas done forman by his death forman’sredemptionandhisdeliverancefromevilwasdonefortheangelsaswell:becausebyitthehostilitybetweenmenandtheangels,whichwascausedbysin,isremoved,andfriendshipisrestored.



Amazing as it seems, the angels want to bemy friends. Doesmyway of life putbarriersofsinbetweenmeandthefriendshipoftheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,sendyourSpirittomakemylifeworthyoftheangel-guardiansyouhavegivenme.

Likeangels,butnotexactlylike

Even in paradise, says St.Methodius, wewill have bodies, which distinguishes usfromangels.Christdidnotsaythatwewouldbeangels,butlikeangels.

Thus it was that, having contrived the parable about the woman and the sevenbrothers, that theymight cast doubt upon the resurrection of the flesh, “The same daySadduceescametohim,whosaythatthereisnoresurrection”(Matt.22:23).

If there hadbeenno resurrectionof the flesh, but the soul onlywere saved,Christwould have agreed with their opinion as a right and excellent one. But as it was, heansweredandsaid,“intheresurrectiontheyneithermarrynoraregiveninmarriage,butare like angels inHeaven” (Matt. 23:30)—not because they have no flesh, but becausetheyneithermarrynoraregiveninmarriage,butarehenceforthincorruptible.

And he speaks of our being near the angels in this respect, that, like the angels inHeaven,inparadisewenolongerspendourtimeinmarriage-feastsorotherfestivities,butinseeingGodandcultivatinglifeunderthedirectionofChrist.Forhedidnotsay“theyshallbeangels,”but“likeangels,” inbeing, for instance,crowned,as it iswritten,withgloryandhonor;differingalittlefromtheangels,butneartobeingangels.

–St.Methodius,DiscourseontheResurrection,1.12


Howmuch of my present life do I spend living the angelic life—seeing God andcultivatinglifeunderthedirectionofChrist?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Grantme, Lord, that I may be pleasing to you inmywords, works, thoughts, anddeeds,sothatImaybeworthyofanewandtruelifeamongyourangelsinthekingdomofHeaven.

Aneternalbodyforminglingwiththeangels

Webelieveintheresurrectionofthebody.Butwewon’tallrisewiththesamebodies,saysSt.Cyril of Jerusalem.What kindof eternal bodyweget dependsonhowwelivedourliveshereonearth.

We’ll all be raised with eternal bodies. But not all our bodies will be alike. Ifyou’rerighteous,you’llreceiveaheavenlybody,sothatyou’llbeabletominglewiththeangels.Butifyou’reasinner,you’llreceiveaneternalbodyfittedtoendurethepainsofsins,sothatitmayburneternallyinthefirewithouteverbeingconsumed.

AnditisrightthatGodwillassignthislottoeithergroup.Wedonothingwithoutthebody.With themouth we blaspheme, and with themouth we pray.With the body wecommit fornication, andwith thebodywepreserveour chastity.With thehandwe rob,andwiththehandwegivealms.Andsoforththroughtherest.

So,sincethebodyhasbeenourservantineverything,itwillalsosharewhathappenstoushereafter.



HowhaveIusedmybodyinGod’sservicetoday?HaveIbeenpreparingmyselfforminglingwiththeangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,youaloneareholy;purifymybodyforyourservice,so thatImayreceiveaneternalbodyfitforthecompanyofangels.

WilltherebefoodinHeaven?

Christ ate food in his resurrected body, says St.Augustine, and evenangels in theBiblehavereallyeaten.Theydosonotbecause theyneed toeat,butbecause theycan; it’s a free exercise of their superior power. St. Augustine speculates that thesamewillbetrueofourglorifiedbodiesaftertheresurrection.

Is there any contradiction between the fact that Christ ate food after hisresurrection,andthedoctrinethatinthepromisedresurrectionstatetherewillbenoneedoffood?Afterall,wereadthatangelsalsohaveeatenfoodof thesamekindandin thesameway,notinemptyandunrealsimulation,butinunquestionablereality.

Buttheydidnoteatunderthepressureofnecessity,butinthefreeexerciseoftheirpower. Forwater is absorbed in oneway by the thirsting earth, in anotherway by theglowingsunbeams;intheformerweseetheeffectofpoverty,inthelatterofpower.

Nowthebodyofthatfutureresurrectionstatewouldbeimperfectinitshappinessifitcouldnoteatfood;butitwouldalsobeimperfectif,ontheotherhand,itweredependentonfood.

Imightenteronafullerdiscussionhereaboutthechangespossibleinthequalitiesofbodies,andthedominionthatbelongstohigherbodiesoverthoseofinferiornature;butIhaveresolvedtomakemyreplyshort,andIwrite thisforminds intelligentenoughthatthesimplesuggestionofthetruthisenoughforthem.



Angelshaveeatenfood,buttheycantakeitorleaveit.DoIalwayskeepGodatthecenterofmydesire,ordoIallowmyappetitestoleadmeawayfromGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,yougaveusthefoodofangelstoeat,thefoodofthewholeworld,ourLordJesusChrist:rememberinyourloveallwhoarefedbythisheavenlyfood.

Treatedlikeanangel

Angels were treated like humans when they visited us, says Tertullian—eating,drinking,evenhavingtheirfeetwashed.Soitshouldnotstrikeusasimpossiblethathumans,aftertheresurrection,willbetreatedlikeangels.

OurLordputsaneffectiveendtothisdiscussionbydeclaringthat they“arelikeangels inHeaven” (Matt.22:30). “Like” in thatwewillnotmarry,becausewewillnotdie;like,too,ofcourse,inthatwewillnothavetoyieldtoanyothersimilarnecessityofourbodilystate.

Theangels,too,weresometimes“like”humanbeings,inthattheyateanddrank,andallowed their feet to be washed. They had clothed themselves in human form withoutlosingtheirownpropernature.

So ifangels,when theybecamehuman,allowed themselves tobe treatedas if theywerefleshwithoutanychangeinthesubstanceoftheirspirit,thenwhyshouldn’thumans,inthesameway,betreatedlikespiritualbeings?Whentheyhavebecome“likeangels,”theywillnolongerbeexposedtotheusualdemandsofthefleshintheirangelicdress—nomore than the angels were exposed to the demands of the spirit when they wereencompassedinhumanform.Wewillnotceasetoexistinthefleshbecauseweceasetobeassailedbytheusualwantsoftheflesh,justastheangelsdidnotceasetobespiritualbeingswhentheirspiritualqualitieshadbeensuspended.

–Tertullian,OntheResurrectionoftheFlesh,62


HowmuchdoIallowthedemandsofthefleshtogetinthewayofmyactingmorelikeanangel?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Purify my flesh from all pollution, Lord, and remove every shameful and foolishthoughtfromme,sothatImaylivetheblissfullifeofyourangelsinHeaven.

Waitfortheangelstosortusout

SpeakingofJesus’parableofthenet,Origenexplainsthatthepromisedsorting-outcannothappentilltheendoftime.Meanwhile,weshouldnotbesurprisedtofindevillurkingevenintheChurch.

“Again, thekingdomofHeaven is likeanetwhichwas thrown into theseaandgatheredfishofeverykind;whenitwasfull,mendrewitashoreandsatdownandsortedthegood intovesselsbut threwaway thebad.So itwillbeat thecloseof theage.Theangelswill comeout and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into thefurnaceoffire;theremenwillweepandgnashtheirteeth”(Matt.13:47-50).Fromthisitdoesnotfollow,assomesuppose,thathumanbeingswhoaresavedinChristaresuperioreventotheholyangels;forhowcanthosewhoarecastbytheholyangelsintovesselsbecomparedwiththosewhocastthemintovessels,seeingthattheyhavebeenputundertheauthorityoftheangels?

While I say this, I am not ignorant that thosewhowill be saved inChrist surpasssomeangels—namely,thosewhohavenotbeenentrustedwiththisoffice—butnotallofthem.Forweread,“thingsintowhichangelslongtolook”(1Pet.1:12),whereitdoesnotsay“allangels.”Andweknowalsothis:“wearetojudgeangels”(1Cor.6:3),whereitdoesnotsay“allangels.”

Nowsincethesethingsarewrittenaboutthenetandaboutthoseinthenet,Isaythatanyonewhodesires that,before theconsummationof theage,andbefore thecomingofthe angels to separate the wicked from among the righteous, there should be no evilpersonsofeverykindinthenet,seemsnottohaveunderstoodtheScripture,andtodesirethe impossible. So let us not be surprised if, before the separating of thewicked fromamong the righteous by the angels who are sent forth for this purpose, we see ourgatheringsalsofilledwithwickedpersons.Andwouldthatthosewhowillbecastintothefurnaceoffiremaynotbegreaterinnumberthantherighteous!

–Origen,CommentaryonMatthew,10.13


WhenIhearofscandalsintheChurch,doesitgivememorepatienceifIremembertheparableof thenetand thatprideandwickednesswerefoundevenamongtheangelsthemselves?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,youhave foundedyourholyCatholicChurchon therockof faith, so that the

gatesofhellmaynotprevailagainstit:deliveritfromallheresyandscandals,andfromthedemonswhoworkiniquity,keepingittillthefullnessoftime.

Animageoftheheavenlycity

Zion—Jerusalem—is an image of the heavenly kingdom, says St. Augustine. ThecaptivityoftheearthlyJerusaleminBabylonisanimageofourpilgrimagehereonearth;ourfriendstheangelsawaitusintheheavenlyJerusalem.

“WhentheLordrestoredthefortunesofZion,wewerelikethosewhodream”(Ps.126:1).

Bythishemeanttosaythatwebecamejoyful.When?“WhentheLordrestoredthefortunesofZion.”

WhatisZion?Jerusalem.ThesameisalsotheeternalZion.HowisZioneternal,andhowisZioncaptive?Inangelsitiseternal;inhumanbeingsitiscaptive.

Notallcitizensofthatcityarecaptives:onlytheoneswhoareawayfromtherearecaptives.Manwasacitizenof Jerusalem,but, sold tosin,hebecameapilgrim.All thehumanracecamefromhisdescendants,andthecaptivityofZionfilledalllands.

AndhowisthiscaptivityofZionashadowoftheeternalZion?TheshadowofthatZion—which was granted in an image or figure to the Jews—was in captivity inBabylonia,andafterseventyyearsthepeoplewererestoredtotheirowncity.



IfIamawandererhereonearth,amIwanderingtowardorawayfromtheeternalcityoftheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Leadme,Lord,toyourgloriousZionoftheangels,andpreserveyourholy,Catholic,andApostolicChurchthroughouttheworld.

Christwillcomesurroundedbyangels

WhenChristcomesagain,St.CyrilofAlexandriaremindsus,itwon’tbeintheformofapoorcarpenter.Hewillcomeinglory,surroundedbytheangels.Whatablessingitwillbethentobecalledtoinheritthekingdomthatawaitsus!

Andfurther, tosetplainlybeforeus the rewardofourbeingwilling to labor,hesays:“Forwhoever isashamedofmeandofmywords,ofhimwill theSonofmanbeashamedwhenhecomesinhisgloryandthegloryoftheFatherandoftheholyangels”(Luke9:26).

He says that he will descend from Heaven, not in His former lowliness andhumiliation,likeus,butinthegloryofhisFather—ingodlikeandtranscendentglory,withtheholyangelskeepingguardaroundHim.

So itwouldbemiserableandruinous tobecondemnedofcowardiceand indolencewhentheJudgehasdescendedfromabove,andtheangelicranksstandathisside.Butitisgreat andmost blessed, a foretaste of final blessedness, to be able to rejoice in laborsalreadyaccomplished,andawaittherecompenseofpasttoils.Forsuchastheseshallbepraised.Christhimselfwill tell them:“Come,blessedofmyFather, inherit thekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld.”



WhatlaborshaveIalreadyaccomplishedthatImightpresentwithpridetotheangelswhocome to judgeme?What laborscould Iaccomplish tomorrow ifmy judgmentdayhasn’tcomebythen?

CLOSINGPRAYER

WhenChristcomesinthegloryofhisangels,mayIbedeemedworthyofhisrewards.

AcknowledgeChrist;theangelswillpraiseyou

At theendof time, saysSt.CyrilofAlexandria,Christwill come inglory,and thesaintsandmartyrswillreceivetheirreward:theacknowledgmentofChrist,andthepraiseoftheangels.

“AndItellyou,everyonewhoacknowledgesmebeforemen,theSonofManalsowill acknowledge before the angels ofGod; but hewho deniesme beforemenwill bedeniedbefore theangelsofGod.Andeveryonewhospeaksawordagainst theSonofmanwillbeforgiven;buthewhoblasphemesagainsttheHolySpiritwillnotbeforgiven”(Luke12:8-10).

SowhoeverconfessesChristbeforemen,asGodandLord,willbeacknowledgedbyhimbeforetheangelsofGod.

Butwhereandhow?ClearlyatthattimewhenhedescendsfromHeaveninthegloryofhisFatherwith theholyangelsat theendof thisworld.Thenhewillcrownhis trueconfessor, who possessed an unwavering and genuine faith, and professed it that way.Therealsothecompanyoftheholymartyrswillshine,whoenduredtheconflicteventothepointof lifeandblood,andhonoredChristby theirpatientendurance—for theydidnotdenytheSavior,norwashisgloryunknowntothem,buttheykepttheirfaithtohim.Thesemartyrswillbepraisedby theholyangels;andwill themselvesglorifyChrist theSaviorofall,forgivingthesaintsthosehonorsthatbelongtothemparticularly.

And so the Psalmist also tells us, “The heavens declare his righteousness, forGodhimselfisjudge”(Ps.50:6).

ThisiswhatwillhappentothosewhoconfessChrist.



HowdoIconfessChristbeforethepeoplearoundme?AmIshowingthembywhatIdothatIbelongtohim?Domywordsanddeedsearnthepraiseoftheholyangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, your angels are my witnesses: I acknowledge your blessedResurrectionfromthedead,yourAscensionintoHeaven,andyourseatattherighthandof theFather,andIawaityourSecondComing, inwhichyouwillrighteously judge thelivingandthedead,andrendertoeachofusaccordingtoourworks.

Nightandday

The life of the believer is like day compared to the life of the unbeliever, says St.Augustine. But it’s like night compared to the enlightenment of the angels. ThatbrilliantdayiswhatwehavetolookforwardtoattheResurrection.

“In thedayofmy trouble I seek theLord; in thenightmyhand isstretchedoutwithoutwearying”(Ps.77:2).

Weshouldn’t think“trouble”meanssomeparticularkindofthing.Anyonewhohasnotyetmadetheleapdoesn’tthinkthat’sa“trouble,”unlesssomesadthinghashappenedinthislife.Buttheonewhomakestheleapseesthiswholelifeashis“trouble.”

The life of believers is day—night and day, really: day compared to the life ofunbelievers,nightcomparedtotheangels.Theangelshaveadaywehaven’texperiencedyet.Wealreadyhaveadaytheunbelieversdon’thave,butbelieversdon’tyethavethedaythatangelshave.Buttheywillhaveit,whentheyareequaltotheangelsofGod—whichiswhat’sbeenpromisedtothemattheResurrection(Matt.22:30).

Sointhisdayornight—nightcomparedtothefuturedaywelongfor,daycomparedtothepastnightthatwe’verenounced—letusstretchoutourhandstoseekGod.Don’tletworkscometoastop.LetusseekGod—lettherebenoidlelonging.Ifwe’reontheway,let’suseeverythingwehavetoreachtheend.



DoIseemyearthlylifebythespirituallightGodhasgivenme—thelightoftheholyangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyGod, you have given us light through theministry of your angels.Help us toknowthemasmessengers,guides,andrevealersofyourtruth.

OneChurchinHeavenandonEarth

WhenwerecitetheCreed,wesaythatwebelieveinone,holy,catholic,andapostolicChurch.Thatdoesn’tjustmeantheChurchonEarth,saysSt.Augustine:theangelsabovearealsomembers,andwewillallmakeuponeeternalchoir for theproperpraiseofGod.

TheorderoftheCreedrightlydemandsthattheChurchbemadesubordinatetotheTrinity—inthesamewaythatahouseissubordinatetowhoeverlivesinit,thetempleissubordinatetoGod,andthecityissubordinatetoitsfounder.

“TheChurch”heremeansthewholeChurch.It’snotjustthepartsojourninghereonEarth“fromtherisingofthesuntoitssetting”(Mal.1:11),praisingtheNameoftheLord,singing“anewsong”ofdeliverancefromitsancientbondage.It’salsothepartinHeaven,whichfromthemomentofcreationhasalwaysclung toGod,andneverfelt thepainoffalling.Thispart,whichismadeupoftheholyangels,remainsinblessedness.Itgivesitshelptotheotherpartstillonpilgrimage,asindeeditoughttodo.Bothpartstogetherwillmakeoneeternalchoir(alreadytheyareonebytiesoflove),thewholethingfoundedtoworshiptheoneGodfittingly.



AmIsingingintunewiththecelestialchoir?HowcanImakemyownpraisebettermatchtheirs?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,letmealwayshavetheopportunitytogiveyoupraiseandprayeralongwithallyourangelsinHeaven.

TheChurchabove

Weare theChurch onEarth, says St. Augustine, but the angels are theChurch inHeaven.ThewonderfulandamazingthingisthatGod,servedbyalltheangels,camedowntoserveusonEarth.

“ForGod’s temple isholy,” says theApostle, “and that templeyouare” (1Cor.3:17).Butsurelyit’sobviousthatGoddwellsintheangels.Thereforewhenourjoy,beinginspiritual things,not inearthly, takesupasong toGod, tosingbefore theangels, thatveryassemblyofangelsistheTempleofGod,andweworshiptowardGod’sTemple.

ThereisaChurchbelow,andthereisalsothereaChurchabove.TheChurchbelowisallthefaithful;theChurchaboveisalltheangels.ButtheGodofangelscamedowntotheChurchbelow,andangelsservedhimonEarth(Matt.4:11)whileheservedus.For,ashesays,“theSonofmancamenottobeservedbuttoserve”(Matt.20:28).

TheLordofangelsdiedforhumanity.



Christcametoserveus,thoughhehadalltheangelstoservehim.WhatmightIgiveuptoservemyneighborsbetter?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,teachmetoimitateChristinHisrenunciation,andtheangelsintheirservice.

Thesaintsjudgewiththeangels

Thesaints,saysSt.Augustine,willjudgewithChristandtheangels—andinfactwillbeasgoodasangels.“Heaven”isthewordweuseforall thepeoplefromaroundtheworldwhohavebeenmadeperfectinChrist.

Many will judge with the Lord, but others will be judged—not all equally,however, but according to their deserts. He will come with all his angels, and all thenationswillbegatheredbeforehim.Andamongtheangelswillbenumberedthosewhohavebeenmadesoperfectthat,sittingontwelvethrones,theyjudgethetwelvetribesofIsrael(Matt.19:28).

For mortals can be called “angels”: you “received me as an angel of God,” theApostle says of himself (Gal. 4:14). It is said of John theBaptist, “Behold, I sendmyangelbeforeyour face,who shall prepareyourwaybeforeyou” (Matt. 11:10; seeMal.3:1).

Sowhenhecomeswithangels,hewillhavethesaintswithhimaswell.Isaiahalsosaysplainlythat“TheLordentersintojudgmentwiththeeldersandprincesofhispeople”(Isa.3:14).

Allthoseeldersofthepeople,whohavejustbeencalled“angels,”thosethousandsofthousandsofperfectedpeoplewhocomefromaroundtheworld,arecalled“Heaven.”



HowcanIbelikeanangel,amessengerofGod, in thelivesoffriends,coworkers,andfamilymembers?

CLOSINGPRAYER

AngelofGod,myguardian,teachmetobeafaithfulmessengerasyouare.

Someoutsidersareonourside

ThereareevilpeopleinsidetheChurch,saysSt.Augustine,becausethedevilplantedweeds among the wheat, as Christ says in his parable. But if the devil has hisfollowersinsidetheChurch,wemustrememberthatChristhasfollowersoutsidetheChurch.

Butyet“throughthedevil’senvydeathenteredtheworld,andthosewhobelongtohis party experience it” (Wis. 2:24)—notbecause they are createdbyGod, but becausetheygoastrayofthemselves,asCypriansayshimself

Butseeingthatthedevil,beforehewasadevil,wasanangel,andgood,howcanitbethat theywhoareof thedevil’ssideare in theunityofChrist?Beyondalldoubt,as theLordhimselfsays,“anenemyhasdonethis”(Matt.13:28),who“sowedweedsamongthewheat”(Matt.13:25).

What belongs to the devilwithin the foldmust be convicted.But in the samewaywhatbelongstoChristoutsideitmustberecognized.CanthedevilhavewhatishiswithintheunityoftheChurch,andyetChristnothavewhatishisoutside?

–St.Augustine,OnBaptism,AgainsttheDonatists,4.9


WeknowthatthedevilhasfollowersinsidetheChurch.Butwhatkeepstheoutsidersoutside the Church? Is there anything I’m personally doing that tends to push Christ’sfollowersaway?

CLOSINGPRAYER

IpraytotheguardianangelsofallpeopleofgoodwillwhoareoutsidetheChurch:beconstantlydiligentandseizeeveryopportunitytobringthembacktoahappyreunion.

TheangelsholdthekeystoSatan’sprison

RevelationsaysthatSatanwillbeletlooseforalittlewhile—buteventhen,saysSt.Gregory theGreat, it isonlyunder thepowerof thegoodangels,whoserveGod’swillbyunchaininghim.

“ThenIsawanangelcomingdownfromHeaven,holdinginhishandthekeyofthebottomlesspitandagreatchain.Andheseizedthedragon,thatancientserpent,whoistheDevil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit”(Rev.20:1-3).

Butstill,at theendof theworld, theycallhimbacktomoreopenconflicts,andlethimlooseagainstusinallhispower.Thus, inthesameplace, itsays,“till thethousandyearswereended.Afterthathemustbeloosedforalittlewhile.”

Thatapostateangelwascreated to shinepreeminentamongall theother legionsofangels.Buthefellsolowbytryingtoelevatehimselfthatheisnowprostratedundertheruleoftheangelswhostandupright.Atfirst theyhaveputhiminchains,andkeephimburiedawayfromoursight,becausetheyserveourwelfare;thentheywilllethimloosetouseallhispoweragainstus,settinghimfreeforourtrial.



Thegoodangelshavepoweroverthedevil.DoIoftenaskfortheangels’aidinfacingSatan?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against thewickednessandsnaresofthedevil;mayGodrebukehim,wehumblypray.OPrinceoftheheavenly host, by the power ofGod, thrust intoHell Satan and all the evil spiritswhowanderthroughtheworldseekingtheruinofsouls.

Evilangelsawaitthelastjudgment

Thedevilandhisangels,saysSt.Augustine,havebeencastoutofHeaven,buttheyinhabitthelowercelestialregions.TheimportantthingaboutthispassageisnotSt.Augustine’sspeculativecosmography,but the theologicalpoint that thedemonsarestillawaitingtheireternaljudgment.

ButbecauseevilangelsalsowerenotformedevilbyGod,butweremadeevilbysinning,Peterinhisepistlesays:“ForifGoddidnotsparetheangelswhentheysinned,butcast them intohellandcommitted them topitsofnethergloom tobekeptuntil thejudgment”(2Pet.2:4).

HerePetershowsthatthepenaltyofthelastjudgmentisstillduetothem,concerningwhichtheLordsays:“Departfrommeintotheeternalfirepreparedforthedevilandhisangels”(Matt.25:41).

Theyhavealreadyreceivedonehellaspunishment—thatis,aninferiorsmokyairasa prison,which although it is also called heaven, is not that heaven inwhich there arestars,butthislowerheavenfromwhosesmokethecloudsarepulledtogether,andwherethebirdsfly.Foracloudyheavenisspokenof,andflyingthingsarecalledheavenly—aswhentheApostlePaulcallsthoseevilangels,againstwhomasenemiesbylivingpiouslywecontend,“spiritualhostsofwickednessintheheavenlyplaces”(Eph.6:12).

–St.Augustine,OntheNatureofGood,AgainsttheManicheans,33


The demons became evil by sinning.What effect aremy sins having onmy goodnature?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpme resist the temptation to sin,andkeep the ill effectsof sinconstantlyinmymind.

Evenangelswillbecondemnedforunbelief

HowimportantisittohavearightunderstandingoftheIncarnation?Soimportant,saysSt.IgnatiusofAntioch,thateventheangelsinHeavenwouldbecondemnediftheydidnotbelievethatChrist’sbodyandbloodwerereal.

SomeignorantlydenytheLord,orratherhavebeendeniedbyhim,becausetheyaretheadvocatesofdeathratherthanofthetruth.Thesepeoplehavenotbeenpersuadedby the prophets, or by theLaw ofMoses, or by the gospel even to this day, or by thesufferingswehaveindividuallyendured.Fortheythinkalsothesamethingregardingus.

Whatgooddoesanyonedome, ifhecommendsme,butblasphemesmyLord,notconfessingthathehadabody?Whoeverdoesnotacknowledgethis,hasinfactaltogetherdenied him, and is enveloped in death. I have not, however, thought good towrite thenamesofthosepeople,sincetheyareunbelievers.Indeed,farbeitfrommetomakeanymention of them, until they repent and return to Christ’s Passion, which is ourresurrection.

Donotdeceiveyourselves.EventhebeingsinHeaven,andthegloriousangels,andrulersbothvisibleandinvisible,willbecondemnediftheydonotbelieveinthebloodofChrist.

–St.IgnatiusofAntioch,Smyrnaeans,5-6


Ifevenangelswillbecondemnedbecause theydonotbelieve,whatam Idoing topersuadetheignorantonearthtorepentandreturntoChrist’sPassion?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,havemercyonthestraying,andsendthemyourangelstohelpthemfindtheirwaybacktoyou.

TheangelssingpraisesbythepoweroftheSpirit

TheheavenlylifeofpraiseandjoytheangelsliveispossibleonlythroughtheHolySpirit,saysSt.Basil.OnlywiththehelpoftheSpiritcantheangelssingtheirhymnsofpraise—andthesameistrueforus.

How can angels sing “Glory toGod in the highest” (Luke 2:14) without beingempoweredbytheSpirit?“Noonecansay‘JesusisLord’exceptbytheHolySpirit,”and“noonespeakingbytheSpiritofGodeversays“Jesusbecursed!’”(1Cor.12:3)—astheevil and hostile spirits might say, whose fall proves what we said about the invisiblepowershavingfreewill.Theyarealwaysbalancedbetweenvirtueandvice,andthereforeneedthehelpoftheSpirit.

Even Gabriel, I tell you, foretells events to come (Luke 1:11) only by theforeknowledgeoftheSpirit,becauseoneofthegiftsoftheSpiritisprophecy.

AndhowcouldThrones,Dominions,Principalities,andPowerslivetheirblessedlife,if they did not see the face of the Father who is in Heaven (Matt. 18:10)? But it isimpossibletoseethefaceoftheFatherwithoutthespirit.Atnight, ifyoutakethelightawayfromthehouse,youreyesareblindandtheirpowersnolongerwork;youcannotseewhat thingsare reallyworth, and inyour ignoranceyou stepongoldas though itwereiron.Likewise, in theorderof the intellectualworld, it is impossiblefor thehighlifeofreasontocontinuewithouttheSpirit.



WhenIpraytoGod,doIinvitetheHolySpirittohelpmepray,astheSpirithelpstheangelspraisehim?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,sendyourangelstowatchoverme,thatImaybemadefitforyourservice.

Imaginethebeautyofcountlessangels

Try to imagine the most wonderful spectacle you’ve ever seen, says St. JohnChrysostom.Nowthinkhowmuchmorebeautiful itwillbewhenyouseethesaintsandangelsinHeaven.

Ifwe go out into a field and see the soldiers’ tentswith their curtains, and thespears,andthehelmets,andthebossesofthebucklersgleaming,thenwearefilledwithwonder. But if we also happen to see the king himself running through the field, orperhapsridingwithgoldenarmor,wethinkwe’veseeneverything!

Then what will you think when you see the everlasting tabernacles of the saintspitched inHeaven? For it says that theywill “receive you into the eternal habitations”(Luke 16:9).What will you think when you see each one of them beamingwith lightbrighterthantheraysofthesun—notfrombrassandsteel,butfromthatgloryonwhosegleamingtheeyesofmortalscannotlook?

Andthis is just thehumansaints.Butwhat ifImentionedthethousandsofAngels,Archangels, Cherubim, Seraphim, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, whosebeautyisbeyondcompare,passingallunderstanding?

–St.JohnChrysostom,Homily6onHebrews,11


IfImeditatedonthebeautiesoftheangelsinHeaven,howmightthatchangethewayIlivemyearthlylife?

CLOSINGPRAYER

BrightCherubim,whoaregivenadeeper insight into themysteriesofGod, scatterthe darkness in my soul, and by virtue of the Holy Blood of Christ, give me thatsupernaturallightbywhichaloneIcanunderstandthetruthsofsalvation.

Rememberthatyousingintheangelicchoir

In the timeofSt. JohnChrysostom,popularentertainmenthadbecomenotoriouslyimmoral,dependingonsexandviolenceformostofitseffect.(Fortunately,thatwasall1,600yearsago.)Chrysostomchallengeshisflocktoputanendtothesinonthestage,butbynotgivingthemanybusiness.

Thenlet’spulldownthestage,theysay.Iwishitwerethatsimple—or,rather,ifyouwerewilling,asfarasI’mconcerned,itwouldbepulleddownanddugup.Butsincethese places are standing, let’s prevent them from having any effect. That would be agreaterpraisethanpullingthemdown.

At least imitate the barbarians, if no one else. They are completely free of suchentertainment.Thenwhatexcusedowehave—we,thecitizensofHeaven,andpartnersinthechoirsoftheSeraphim,andinfellowshipwiththeangels?Wemakeourselvesworsethan the barbarians in this respect—and that when we have countless better pleasureswithinourreach.

Ifyouwant todelightyour soul,goout to thepark.Sitbya flowing river,orbyalake. Visit the gardens. Listen to the grasshoppers singing. Stay by the tombs of themartyrs,where there ishealthofbodyandbenefitof soul, andnopainandno remorseafterthepleasure,asthereisonthestage.



Howdomychoicesinentertainmentsitwiththeangelswhosurroundme?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Holyangels,leadmymindandhearttothelightbyvirtueoftheholyBloodofChrist.

Don’tdrownouttheangelchoir

St.JohnChrysostomlooksaroundhiminchurch,andallheseesarepeopletalkingaboutbusinessandmoney.You’vemadethechurchnobetterthanabarn,hesays.Bequiet,andlisten,andyou’llhearthechoirsofangels.

WesaythatChristhasdonegreatthings,havingmadeangelsoutofhumanbeings;then, when we are called on to give account, and asked to show a proof from thiscongregation,ourmouthsarestopped.I’mafraidthat,insteadofangels,Imightbringoutpigsasifthiswereapigsty,andhorsesmadwithlust.

Iknowitpainsyoutohearthis.ButI’mnotspeakingagainstallofyou,butagainstthe guilty—or rather not evenagainst them, if theywake up, but for them.Right noweverything is lostandruined,and thechurchhasbecomenothingbetter thanastableofoxen,andabarnfordonkeysandcamels,andIgoaroundlookingforasheepandcan’tfind it.Everyone’skicking, likehorsesandwildasses, and they fill theplaceherewithpilesofmanure—that’swhattheirconversationislike.Ifyoucouldseethethingsspokenat each service, by men, by women, their words would look more unclean than thatmanure.

SoIbegyou tochange thisevilcustom,so that thechurchmaysmellofointment.Butnow,whilewestoreupperfumesforthesensesinthechurch,wetakenotroubletoscruboutanddriveaway theuncleannessof themind.Sowhat’s theuse?Wewouldn’tdisgracethechurchasmuchbybringingdungintoitaswedisgraceitbyspeakingsuchthingsonetoanother—aboutprofits,aboutmerchandise,aboutpettybusinessdeals,aboutthingsthatarenothingtous,whenthereoughttobechoirsofangelshere,andweoughttomake the church a Heaven, and to know nothing else but earnest prayers, and quietlistening.



DoesmyownbehavioratMasssometimesdistractpeoplefromwhat’sreallygoingonatthealtar?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,whenyouarepresentinthebreadandthecuponyourall-holyaltar,keepmeinmindoftheangelsandarchangelswhosurroundme.

Keeptheprayeroftheangelsinyourheart

Even when you’re just out shopping, says St. John Chrysostom, you can still bepraisingGodwith theheavenlyhosts.Truepraise isn’t just thewordsyouspeak: itshowsitselfinhowyoulive.

Whatisthehymnoftheheavenlybeings?You,thefaithful,knowit.WhatdotheCherubimabovesay?Whatdotheangelssay?“GlorytoGodinthehighest”(Isa.6:3).

This iswhy the hymns come after the psalm, because they are evenmore perfect.“With psalms, with hymns, with spiritual songs,” it says, “with grace singing in yourheartstoGod”(Ps.100:4,Septuagintreading).

Singing in your hearts to God—not just with the mouth, he means, but withobedience.That’swhatitmeanstosingtoGod.Otherwiseyou’rejustsingingtotheair,andyourvoicedissipateswithnoresult—you’rejustsingingtoshowoff.

Evenifyou’reinthemarket,youcanremembertosingtoGod,thoughnooneelsewillhearyou.Mosesprayedthisway,andGodheardhim.Hesays,“Whydoyoucrytome?”eventhoughMosessaidnothing.Heonlycriedoutinthought,withacontriteheart,andonlyGodheardhim.There’snoreasonyoucan’tpraytoGod,andkeepyourmindonHeaven,evenwhenyou’rejustwalkingaround.



Have I asked for the help of the angels to changemy attitude and theway I treatpeoplearoundme—ontheroad,inthesupermarket,atwork?

CLOSINGPRAYER

HolyGuardianAngel,helpmebeattentivetoyourpromptings,sothatallmyworksandallmywordsmayriseasahymnofpraisetoGod.

Peacewhichpassesangels’understanding

The peace of God passes all understanding—not just human understanding, butangels’aswell,saysSt.Augustine.

Right now, however great our understanding may be, we only see in part, and“throughaglassdarkly”(1Cor.13:12).Butwhenweareequaltotheangelsofgod,wewillseefacetoface,astheydo,andwewillhavepeacetowardthemasgreatastheyhavetowardus,becausewewilllovethemasmuchastheyloveus.Andsotheirpeacewillbeknowntous.Ourownpeacewillbeliketheirs,andasgreatastheirs,andthenitwillnotpassourunderstanding.

But thepeaceofGod, thepeacehecherishes towardus,will undoubtedlypassnotonlyourunderstanding,buttheirsaswell.Andthismustbeso.Everyintelligentcreaturethat is happy gets its happiness from God; God does not get his happiness from thecreature.Sointhepassage,“thepeaceofGod,whichpassesallunderstanding”(Phil.4:7),it is better to interpret “all” as meaning that there is no exception, not even theunderstandingoftheholyangels.TheonlyexceptionwecanmakeisGodhimself—since,ofcourse,hispeacedoesnotpasshisownunderstanding.

–St.Augustine,Enchiridion,63


Ifevenangelscannotunderstandit,certainlyIcannevercompletelyunderstandthepeaceofGod.ButdoIworkdiligentlytosowpeaceintheChurchandintheworld?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,yourpeacepassestheunderstandingevenof theangels.Grantthatyourholyrest and peacemay dwell in the four corners of theworld, but especially in your holyCatholicChurch.

Yoursoulisapictureoftheangeliclife

ArguingforthedivinityoftheHolySpirit,St.GregoryofNyssasaysthatyouknowfromyourownexperiencethattheSpiritisdivine.Yourownsoulisintellectualandinvisible,liketheangels,andliketheangelsyoucannotcomeneartoGodexceptbytheHolySpirit’shelp.

WhoeveragreeswithusthatthethingsaboveusarealsoorderedbythepoweroftheSpiritwiththeFatherandtheSonhasthesupportofclearevidencefromhisownlife.

Thenatureofmaniscompoundedofbodyandsoul,andtheangelicnaturehasforitsportionlifewithoutabody.Soif theHolySpiritworkedonlyinthecaseofbodies,andthe soul were not capable of receiving the grace that comes from him, then wemightperhapsinferfromthis,iftheintellectualandincorporealnaturewhichisinuswereabovethepoweroftheSpirit,thattheangeliclifetoowasinnoneedofhisgrace.

ButifthegiftoftheHolySpiritismainlyagraceofthesoul,andthesoulissimilartothelifeoftheangelsinitsreasonanditsinvisibility—well,then,anyonewhoknowshowto reach a conclusion would agree that every intellectual nature is governed by theorderingoftheHolySpirit.

For since it is said that the “angels alwaysbehold the faceofmyFatherwho is inheaven”(Matt.18:10),anditisnotpossibletobeholdthepersonoftheFatherexceptbytrainingthesightonitthroughhisimage;andtheimageofthepersonoftheFatheristheOnly-begotten,andtohimagainnoonecandrawnearwhosemindhasnotbeenilluminedby the Holy Spirit—what else do we learn from this but that the Holy Spirit is notseparatedfromanythingthatisdonebytheFatherandtheSon?

–St.GregoryofNyssa,OntheHolyTrinity


Likeme,theangelsarespiritualbeings.Unlikeme,theirspiritisunwavering.DoI strivewithmyangel’shelp, to livewith an angelic consistency in the choices Imakeeachday?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpmetomakemysoulareflectionofyourpurity.

Arewethereyet?

Nomatter how far off theDay of Judgmentmay be, says St. Augustine, your owndeath is onlya fewyearsawayatmost.Youneed toprepare for that day, so that,whenitcomes,youwillbeamongthosewhowillbetakentorestuntiltheyaremadeequaltotheangels.

“Yeta littlewhile,and thewickedwillbenomore; thoughyou lookwellathisplace,hewillnotbethere”(Ps.37:10).

Howlongdoeseachperson’slifelast?Addanynumberofyearsyouplease;extendoldagetoitslongestduration.Whatisit?Isitnotjustamorningbreeze?

ButsupposethattheDayofJudgmentisfaroff,whentherewardoftherighteousandoftheunrighteousistocome.Evenso,yourownlastdaycertainlycannotbefaroff.Makeyourselfreadyforthat!

Howeveryoudepartfromthislife,thatishowyouwillberestoredtotheother.Atthecloseof thatshort life,youwillnotyetbewherethesaintswillbe, towhomitshallbesaid, “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from thefoundation of the world” (Matt. 25:34). And everyone knows that you will not yet bethere.Butyoumayalreadybewherethatbeggar,oncecoveredwithsores,wasseenatadistance,atrest,bythatproudandunfruitfulrichmaninthemidstofhistorments.Surelyhidin thatrestyouwait insecurityfor theDayofJudgment,whenyouare toreceiveabodyagain,tobechangedsoastobemadeequaltoanangel.

Sohowlongwillitbetillwegettowhatwelongfor,andaresaying,“Whenwillitcome?Willitbelong?”Ourchildrenwillsaythesamethingafterus,andourchildren’schildren, too; and, though each one of these in turnwill say this same thing, that littlewhilethatisyettobepassesaway,asallthatisalreadypasthaspassedawayalready!

–St.Augustine,ExpositiononPsalm37,Part1,10


IfIdiedtoday,wouldIbejudgedequaltotheangels?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Keepmeundertheprotectionofyourangels,Lord,andcountmeworthytillmylastbreath to partake of your holy rites for the sanctification ofmy soul and body, for theinheritanceofthekingdomofHeaven.

We’llseewhattheangelssee

When things go wrong in this life, says St. Augustine, just remember what you’repreparingfor.You’llseeGodthewaytheangelsseehim.

“Andtheirheritagewillabideforever”(Ps.37:18).

Thisweholdbyfaith.DoestheLordtooknowitbyfaith?No,theLordknowsthosethingsinsuchaclearwaythatwewillnotbeabletospeakofitevenwhenwearemadeequaltotheangels.Thethingsthatwillbecleartouswillnotbeascleartousastheyarenowtohimwhoisincapableofchange.

ButwhatdoesScripturesayevenaboutus?“Beloved,weareGod’schildrennow;itdoesnotyetappearwhatweshallbe,butweknowthatwhenheappearsweshallbelikehim, forweshall seehimashe is” (1John3:2).So there issurelysomeblissfulvisionreservedforus;andifitcanbenowinsomemeasureconceivedthroughaglassdarkly(1Cor.13:12),yetwestillhavenowayofexpressinginlanguagetheravishingbeautyoftheblissthatGodreservesforthosewhofearhim,whichheconsummatesinthosewhohopeinhim.

Inallthetroublesandtrialsofthislife,ourheartsarebeingdisciplinedforthatgoal.Donotbesurprisedthatyouaredisciplinedforitwithtrouble.Youarebeingdisciplinedfor something glorious.Whydoes the now-strengthened righteousman say, “I considerthatthesufferingsofthispresenttimearenotworthcomparingwiththeglorythatistoberevealedtous”(Rom.8:18)?Whatisthispromisedglorytobe,buttobemadeequaltotheangelsandtoseeGod?

Howgreatabenefitanyonegivesablindmanifhemakeshiseyessound,sothathecanseethelightofthislife!WhatrewardthenshallwegivetothatPhysicianwhorestoresthehealthofourinwardeyes,toenablethemtoseetheeternalLight—namely,himself?

–St.Augustine,ExpositiononPsalm37,Part2,7


WillithelpmeenduremytroublesifIrememberthebeautyandjoythey’repreparingmefor?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Fillmymouthwith your praise,Lord, andmy lipswith joy, so that Imay sing thepraiseofyourgloryforever.

LoveGodforhimself

Godisrichineverything,saysSt.Ambrose.Everythingbelongstohim.But thoughEarthisbeautiful,andHeavenisbeautiful,andtheangelsarebeautiful,whatGodpromises us is not these beautiful things, but something infinitely more beautiful:himself.

Andyet,Brethren,ourGodnevercanbepoor.He is rich.Hemadeall things—HeavenandEarth, theseaandtheangels. In theheaven,whateverwesee,whateverwecannotsee—hemadeit.

But still, we ought not to love these riches, but him who made them. For he haspromisedyounothingbuthimself.

Findanythingmoreprecious,andhewillgiveyou that.Beauteous is theEarth, theHeaven,andtheangels;butmorebeauteousishewhomadethem.

Thus those who preach God, because they love God; who preach God, for God’ssake;feedthesheep,andarenohirelings.OurLordJesusChristrequiredthischastityofthesoulwhenhesaidtoPeter,“Peter,doyouloveme?”(John21:17).

What does “Do you loveme”mean? Itmeans, “Are you chaste? Is your heart notadulterous?DoyouseekintheChurchnotyourownthings,butmine?Ifyouaresuchaoneasthisandloveme,feedmysheep.Foryoushallbenohireling,butyoushallbeashepherd.”



Doesremembering thatGodismorebeautiful,morewonderful thanEarth,Heaven,andeventheangels,helpmeovercomeunhealthydesiresformaterialthings?

CLOSINGPRAYER

LetGabrielrejoiceandbeexceedingglad,withthecompanyofalltheangels,inyou,theGoodShepherd,whoonyourshoulderscarriedthemaimedsheep,thatthenumberofahundredmightbepreserved.

Godaloneisgoodbynature

“Why do you callme good?” Jesus asked the ruler of the synagogue. St.Cyril ofAlexandria explains what Jesus meant: If you think I’m only a man, then you’regivingmeatitlethatbelongstoGodalone.Eventheangelsare“good”onlybytheirparticipationinGod.

He flatters Jesus, and attempts to deceive him, pretending to be well-disposedtowardhim.AndwhatdoestheOmniscientreply?Hesays,“Whydoyoucallmegood?NoneisgoodbutGodalone”(Luke18:19).

Youseehowthisrulerprovedatoncethathewasneitherwisenorlearned,thoughhewastherulerofasynagogueoftheJews.Forif,Jesussays,youdidnotbelievethatIamGod,andtheclothingofthefleshhasledyouastray,whydidyoucallmebytitlessuitabletothesupremenaturealone,whileyoustillthoughtthatIwasameremanlikeyou,andnotsuperiortothelimitsofhumannature?Inthenaturethattranscendsall,inGodalone,dowefindtheattributeofbeingbynatureandunchangeablygood:buttheangels,andweuponearth,aregoodbyresemblinghim,orratherbyparticipatinginhim.Heiswhatheis,andthis ishisName,andhiseverlastingmemorialforallgenerations(Exodus3:14);butweexistandcomeintobeingbybeingmadepartakersofhimwhoreallyexists.Thusheindeedisgood,oristhegoodabsolutely,butangelsandhumanbeingsaregoodonlybybeingmade,asIsaid,partakersofthegoodGod.

SobeinggoodmustbesetapartasthespecialpropertyofGodaloneaboveall.Itisanessentialpartofhisnature,andishisownparticularattribute.

ButifIdonotseemtoyoutobetrulyGod,Jesussays,thenyouhaveignorantlyandfoolishly applied tome the properties andvirtues of the divine nature, at the very timewhenyouthinkIamonlyaman,onewhoisneverendowedwithgoodness,whichisthepropertyoftheunchangeablenature,butonlygainsitbytheassentofthedivinewill.



WhatthingsdoIcommonlycall“good”?DoIseehowtheyresemblethequalitiesoftheangelsbyparticipatinginthegoodnessofGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,maymylifebemoreandmorelikethelivesofyourangelsinHeaven.MayIriseabovesinanddrawclosertoyourglory.

Angelsasoxen

InterpretingPsalm 8, St. Augustine suggests that the “sheep and oxen” put underChrist are human beings and angels—angels being called oxen because of theirincessantworkinspreadingthewordofGod.

“Youhaveputallthingsunderhisfeet,”hesays(Ps.8:6).Andwhenhewritestothe Hebrews he uses this very testimony from this Psalm, when he wants them tounderstandthatallthingsareputunderourLordJesusChristinsuchawaythatnothingisleftout(Heb.2:8).

Andyethedoesnotseemtobeaddinganythingremarkablewhenhesays,“allsheepand oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,whatever passes along the paths of the sea” (Ps. 8:7). For, leaving the heavenlyexcellenciesandpowers,andallthehostsofangels,leavingevenmanhimself,heseemstohaveputunderhimthebeastsmerely—unlessbysheepandoxenweunderstandholysouls,eitheryieldingthefruitofinnocence,orworkingthattheearthmaybearfruit,thatis,thatearthlymenmayberegeneratedintospiritualrichness.

By these holy souls thenwe ought to understand not those ofmen only, but of allangelstoo.

Buthowcanweprovethatsheepmightmeannotjusthumanbeingsbuttheblessedspiritsoftheangelicalcreaturesonhigh?MightwedoitfromtheLord’ssayingthathehadleftninety-ninesheepinthemountains—thatis,inthehigherregions—andhadcomedownforone?ForifwetaketheonelostsheeptobethehumansoulinAdam,theninety-nine left in themountainsmustmeanangelic spirits,nothuman.As faras theoxenareconcerned: human beings are called oxen only because, by preaching the gospel of thewordofGod,theyimitateangels—aswhereitissaid,“Youshallnotmuzzleanoxwhenittreadsoutthegrain”(Deut.25:4).Itisveryeasytounderstandtheangelsthemselves,themessengersoftruth,tobeoxen,whenEvangelists,sharingtheirtitle,arecalledoxen.



HowcouldImakeabettercontributionif—liketheangels—Iimitatedtheox,whichjustkeepstreadingoutthegrain?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,grantmethezealandearnestnesstolaborastheangelsdo,accordingtoyourwill.

DelightinGodalone

Continuinghismeditationonholyangelsandpeople,St.AugustinesaysthatwhatweenjoyinsomeonewhoisholyisGodhimself,theonlytruesourceofhappiness.

ButwhenyouhavejoyofsomeoneinGod,itisGodratherthanthatpersonthatyouenjoy.YouenjoyGodwhomakesyouhappy,andyourejoicetohavecometohiminwhosepresenceyouplaceyourhopeofjoy.

ThisiswhyPaulsaystoPhilemon,“Yes,brother,IwantsomebenefitfromyouintheLord”(Philem.20).Forifhehadnotadded“intheLord,buthadonlysaid,“Iwantsomebenefitfromyou,”hewouldhaveimpliedthathefixedhishopeofhappinessuponhim—althoughevenintheimmediatecontext“tohavebenefit”isusedinthesenseof“tousewithdelight.”Forwhen the thing thatwe love isnearus, it isamatterofcourse that itshouldbringdelightwithit.

Now, if you pass beyond this delight, andmake it ameans to that which you arepermanentlytorestin,youareusingit,anditisanabuseoflanguagetosaythatyouenjoyit.Butifyouclingtoit,andrestinit,findingyourhappinesscompleteinit,thenyoumaybetrulyandproperlysaidtoenjoyit.AndthiswemustneverdoexceptinthecaseoftheBlessedTrinity,whoistheSupremeandUnchangeableGood.

–St.Augustine,OnChristianDoctrine,1.33


Howmuch do I allowmyself to pinmy hopes on other people?Do they leadmebeyondthemselvestoGod?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Father,givemerestallthedaysofthislife,sothatalltheinhabitantsoftheearthmayknowthatyouaretheonlytrueGodtheFather,whosentourLordJesusChrist,youronlySonandyourBeloved,toteachuspurityandholiness.

Thepraiseoftheangels

In this long hymn of praise from an ancient liturgy (attributed to Dionysius theAreopagite),wejoinourpraisewiththepraisesofallthebeingsinHeaven.

The voiceless, by their silence, the vocal, by their voices, words and hymns,perpetuallyblessyou,becauseyouareessentiallygoodandbeyondallpraise,existinginyouressenceincomprehensibly.I,yourvisibleandsensiblecreature,praiseyou,andalsotheintellectualcreature,placedabovesensibleperception.Heavenandearthglorifyyou.Seaandairproclaimyou.Thesun,inhiscourse,praisesyou;themoon,inherchanges,veneratesyou.

TroopsofArchangels,andhostsofAngels;thePowers,moresublimethantheworldandmental faculty,sendbenedictions toyourabode.Raysof light,eminentandhidden,sendtheir“Holy”toyourglory.PrincipalitiesandDominionspraiseyou,withtheir“Makea joyful noise.” Powers and Dominions venerate you. Powers, Thrones and seatsinaccessible exalt you. Splendors of light eternal, mirrors without flaw, holy essences,recipients of wisdom sublime, beyond all, investigators of the will hidden from all, inclearest modulations of inimitable tones, and by voices becoming a rational creature;manyeyedCherubimofmostsubtlemovement,blessyou.Seraphim,furnishedwithsixwings intertwined, cry “Holy” to you. Those very ones,who veil their faceswith theirwings,andcovertheirfeetwithwings,andflyingoneveryside,andclappingwiththeirwings(that theymaynotbedevouredbyyourdevouringfire),singone toanotherwithequal harmony of all, sweet chants, pure from everything material, rendering to youeternalglory;cryingwithonehymn,worthyofGod,andsaying,“Holy,holy,holy.”

–LiturgyofSt.Dionysius(theAreopagite),bishopoftheAthenians


HowmuchofmyprayerisgiventopurepraiseofthegoodnessofGod?DoIpraisewithoutceasingastheangelsdoinHeaven?

CLOSINGPRAYER

Lord,givemeanangelicpeaceinmylife,sothatmyheartmayalwaysbesetonthepraiseofyourHolyName.

Witnessestoangels

WeknowthatChristandtheangelshavebeenreallypresentwithus,saysSt.JohnChrysostom.Whatwillhappenwhenwe’recalledtojudgmentandhavetoreportthatallweevercaredaboutwasmoney?

Therereallyaremanypeoplewhoseemtothinkthey’renevergoingtodie.Theysetaboutbuildingandplanning inextremeoldage—butwhenwill they takedeath intoconsideration?

Itwillbenosmallpunishmentthatwewerecalledtobearwitness,butwerenotabletobearwitness to the thingswehaveseen.We’veseenangelswithourowneyes—andwe’veseenthemmoreclearlythanthosewhosawthemvisibly.WeshallbewitnessestoChrist.

Thepeoplewecall“martyrs”(whichmeans“witnesses”)arenottheonlywitnesses:we’re witnesses too. The reason they’re called martyrs is because, when called on torenouncethefaith,theyendureeverythingtospeakthetruth.Sowhenourpassionscallonustorenouncethefaith,weshouldn’tbedefeated!Moneytellsus,“SaythatChristisn’tChrist.”Don’tlistentoitthewayyouwouldlistentoGod,butdespiseitscommands.



DoI listenwhenmoney talks?Would ithelpmeavoid temptation to remember theangelswhosurroundmeandseeeverythingIdo?

CLOSINGPRAYER

GuardianAngel,helpmekeepfromcovetousnessandeveryworldlyaffectionthatisnotinaccordancewiththeholywillofGod.

AbouttheAuthor

Mike Aquilina is the author of more than twenty books on Catholic history,doctrine, and devotion. He is also executive vice-president of the St. Paul Center forBiblical Theology (SalvationHistory.com), and has hosted many series on the EternalWordTelevisionNetwork.MikeappearsoftenonCatholicradio,andheblogsontheearlyChurchat (FathersOfTheChurch.com).MikeandhiswifeTerrihavebeenmarried for aquarter-centuryorsoandhavesixchildren.

Mike’sothertitlesinclude:

TheWayoftheFathers

TheMassoftheEarlyChristians

LivingtheMysteries(withScottHahn)

PrayingthePsalmswiththeEarlyChristians(withChristopherBailey)

AYearwiththeChurchFathers

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After acquiring TANBooks& Publishers in 2008, Saint Benedict Press transferred itscatalogueofCatholicClassicstotheTANBooksimprint,knownandlovedbygenerationsofreadersforitstraditionalCatholiccontent.

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