May 28, 2005

Angels amongst us?

Angels before me, angels behind me, angels to the left of me, angels to the right of me... - my is it crowded in this room where only I can be seen. Though, the angels here in my room are most solicitous not to be seen or to make a ruckus, they sure seem to be the ubiquitous objects of attention, especially in bookstores and sappy card shops. Is it much ado about nothing? Well... no. "The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith." (CCC 328) I'll bet, however, that all the sentimental attention they get is much to the embarrassment of most of them, and perhaps to the nefarious advantage of others.

Who are they, though? In scripture, they appear in many roles. For instance, they are messengers of God, as with Gabriel to Mary, or guides sent by God, as with Raphael for Tobit. In Matthew 18:10, Jesus mentions, as a threat to any who would harm one of his little ones, that each of us has an angel who "always behold(s) the face of my Father who is in heaven." So, they are guardians too. In short, they are our fellow servants of God who glorify him and work to make his plans happen in this world. Thus, we should indeed have a great devotion to our angels. But, when I say that they are probably embarrassed by all the overly sentimental attention they are getting, it is because their greatest desire is that we pay more attention to God.

Sadly, many people in society are caught up with the idea of angels – without any reference to God. This detachment from God is to the delight of those angels who have rebelled against God. But, our guardian angels are tasked with getting us home to heaven where we can spend eternity with them praising our mutual father, God. To glorify God by doing their job is the very purpose for which they exist. We should befriend them, speak to them, pray with them, and thank God for having given us such good friends. If you really want to sense their purpose and presence, ask your guardian angel to praise the Lord with you for a few minutes. You will make his day. Remember, he is beholding the face of God as he keeps his eye on you. Do that many times every day and you won't be disappointed. This practice will help keep angels in the proper context within your mind and aid you along your way to heaven as you put your attention on God. For more on angels, look for them in your bible, and see your Catechism # 327-336. Also, see Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa, and Saints Padre Pio and Jose Escriva's writings.

"God created man in the image of himself… Male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27) "God created everything for man, but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to him." (CCC 358) This means that our loving God made things to use and people to love. Sin makes it hard not to use people and love things. Jesus came because he knew this. He "is the image of the unseen God and the first-born of all creation, for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth... God wanted...all things to be reconciled through him and for him...when he made peace by his death on the cross." (Col 1:15-20)

Fr. John Anthony Boughton, CFR
Local Vicar, St. Leopold Friary, Yonkers, New York

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