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THE EXISTENCE OF ANGELS AND DEVILS

THERE IS an interesting phenomenon today concerning the existence of angels and devils. On the one hand, some people deny the existence of any spiritual reality. They claim that belief in devils and angels is simply superstition. Even some Christians who certainly believe in God’s existence question the existence of these spiritual beings; they explain scriptural references to them as examples of symbolic language. On the other hand, hardly a year goes by without filmmakers exploiting the theme of demon possession and the conflict between the spiritual forces of good and evil.

Catholics do indeed believe in the existence of angels and devils. Both scripture and tradition attest to this belief.

Angels are created, spiritual beings. Like us, they are free, knowing, loving beings created by God for union with Himself. Unlike us, angels are pure spirits; they do not have bodies.

The word angel means “one who is sent” or “messenger.” This tells us something about the angels’ function in relation to us. Both the Old and New Testaments have many examples of God sending His angels.

The Church has instructed Catholics to honor the angels who are our spiritual friends and guardians. The Church has traditionally taught that each person has a guardian angel.

We believe that when the angels were created they were given a basic choice, similar to our choice here on earth, to accept God or reject Him. Those who chose themselves over God – thereby choosing to be alienated from Him in hell – are called demons or devils. God permits devils to tempt us, but He does not allow them to harm us. (The Church does teach that there is such a thing as demon possession, but the Church’s ritual of exorcism warns against concluding too quickly that a demon possesses a person. Many examples of possessions have turned out to be the result of emotional disturbances or fraud.) By resisting the temptations of evil spirits we are given the opportunity to draw closer to God.

For self-reflection: Do I sincerely believe that the existence of angels is not optional to Catholic faith?

Note: The text is taken from Michael Francis Pennock, THIS IS OUR FAITH …, Notre Dame, IN 46556: Ave Maria Press, 1990 (second printing), page 266.

A Christian Pilgrim

THE ANGELS OF GOD ASCENDING AND DESCENDING UPON THE SON OF MAN

(A biblical refection on THE FEAST OF SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS – Saturday, 29 September 2012)

Gospel Reading: John 1:47-51

First Reading: Dan 7:9-10,13-14 (or Rev 12:7-12; Psalms: Ps 138:1-5

The Scripture Text

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” (Jn 1:47-51)

Nathanael made an amazing profession of faith in Jesus at his first personal encounter with Him: “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (Jn 1:49). How did he so quickly perceive the true identity of this itinerant preacher from Nazareth who had simply told him that He had seen him under a fig tree?

An honest and guiless Jew, Nathanael was hungry for God. In his day, it was common for rabbis and their students to study Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) while sitting in the shade of a leafy tree. In fact, in the Jewish tradition, the expression “to sit under the fig tree” meant to be engaged in studying the Scriptures. Perhaps Nathanael had been reading God’s word under the tree when Jesus saw him there. Maybe he had been pondering the prophesies about the Messiah, seeking to understand their meaning.

Jesus rewarded Nathanael’s faith and desire to know God with a promise that he would see “heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (Jn 1:51). Jesus invited Nathanael – and us, too – to move from a faith based on reason and intellect into the heavenly realm. By coming to us in the flesh, Jesus made heaven accessible. He is the point of contact between eternity and time, the ladder joining heaven and earth. Through the incarnation, God reached down to touch us and to raise us up to be united with Him. What greater joy could we possibly know?

Through faith in Christ and baptism into His name, the heavens can be opened to us every day. We can experience the heavenly life as it transforms our lives on earth. Are you weighed down by guilt? Your sins are forgiven in Christ. Have you been hurt by someone who has wronged you? Those wounds can be healed. Do you feel dry and dull in prayer? The Holy Spirit can revitalize your praise and melt your discouragement with the joyful hope of seeing God face to face. Yes, as a new creation in Christ, we can “sit with Him in the heavenly places” (Eph 2:6). Let’s take our place there today!

Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, open the heavens for me today! Let me see the realities of the spiritual realm all around me. Help me fix my eyes on you and my heavenly inheritance. Amen.