Posted on 10/02/2014 1:27:34 AM PDT by markomalley
Jesus affirms the truth that we have Guardian Angels: See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father (Mat 18:10). On the feast of the Guardian Angels we consider a beautiful truth that God assigns an angel to have special care for us, it is a sign of his very specific love for each of us as individuals. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has much to say on angels. Here are just a few verses:
The whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels….In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God….From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God. (CCC #s 334-336 selectae)
All this said, it is important to recall that to some extent we have sentimentalized the role of the angels in current time, and have drifted from the Biblical data regarding them. I would like to propose a few corrective ideas to balance the sentimental notions we may have. I do not say that sentiment is wrong, but it needs to be balanced by a deep respect we ought to have for the angels.
1. Angels have no bodies. They are not human and never have been human. Human beings never become angels or “earn wings.” Angels are persons, but persons of pure spirit. Hence they have no designation as male or female. Now we have to envision them somehow, so it is not wrong that we portray them with masculine or feminine qualities but it is important to remember that they transcend any such distinction.
2. Angels are Vast in Number - The prophet Daniel was granted a vision of heaven and said of God, gloriously enthroned: A stream of fire issued and came forth from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him (Dan 7:10). 100 million angels! Though of course these were only the angels Daniel could see, and the number 100 Million is really just another way of saying that their number is vast, and beyond counting.
3. Angels are ranked hierarchically - The term “choir” of angels, denotes not a musical group, but rather a rank. Tradition gleans from both Scripture and custom nine ranks (or choirs) of angels in three groups: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones – who remain closest to God and serve primarily in heaven itself. The seraphim are closest to God’s throne (Is 6:1-7). Dominions, Virtues and Powers, who exert various governing powers, organizing the angels, the cosmos (to include nature) and hold the power of the evil one in check. Principalities, Archangels, and Angels are most directly involved with humanity, and also act as intermediaries between us, God and heaven.
4. Biblically, angels are not the rather fluffy and charming creatures that modern portraits often depict. In the Bible angels are depicted as awesome and powerful agents of God. Many times the appearance of an angel struck fear in the one who saw them (cf Judg 6:22; Lk 1:11; Lk 1:29; Lk 2:9; Acts 10:3; Rev. 22:8).
5. What then is our proper reaction to the great gift of the angels and in particular our Guardian Angel? Sentimental thought may have its place but what God especially commands of us toward our angel is obedience. Read what God said in the Book of Exodus:
Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Give heed to him and hearken to his voice, do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression; for my name is in him. (Ex 23:21)
So our fundamental task is to hear and heed the voice of our angel. How, you might ask do we hear the voice of our Guardian Angel? I would suggest to you that we most hear the voice of our angel in our conscience. Deep down, we hear God’s voice, we know what is true and what is false. In terms of basic right and wrong, we know what we are doing. I am convinced that our conscience interacts with our Guardian Angel. Now be careful, we like to try and rationalize what we do, explain away bad behavior, make excuses. But in the end, deep down inside, we know what we are doing and whether or not it is wrong. I am sure it is our angel who testifies to the truth in us and informs our conscience.
God’s command is clear: listen to and heed this voice. Respect this angel God has given you not so much with sentimental odes, but with sober obedience.
6. Finally, and perhaps controversially, as I have noted on this blog before, though we often think of angels in “choirs” singing, there is no Scriptural verse that I have ever read that describes them as singing. Even in the classic Christmas scene where we depict them as singing “Glory to God in the Highest,” the text says that they SAY it, not sing it (cf Luke 2:14 where the verb is λεγόντων (legouton) = saying). If you can find a Scripture text that shows the angels singing please share it, but I’ve looked for years and can’t find it. Not a big point, and I am aware that some get almost annoyed by my mentioning this, since it seems almost instinctive to us that angels DO sing! My point here is simply to report the silence (not denial) of scripture on this common notion. Perhaps singing is a special gift given only to the human person.
Angels can be the homeless man you just walked past rejecting his plea for a little help...Or any number of examples...
Sex is a biological category. Angels can assume the appearance of men or women (or animals, as with the dog of St John Bosco) but they are sexless.
Chapter and verse please.
You don’t need an angelic intellect to know that you can’t prove a negative. The burden of proof’s on you.
You said “they are sexless”
That is not a negative. To emphatically contradict the biblical evidence I DID give you, you need evidence.
This thread really needs a supportive verse from the well know book of the Bible “Catholic Freeper” that says in Chapter 6 verse 66 “Angels are neither male nor female, but are merely spiritual creatures that may sometimes take on the appearance of humans.” verse 67 “, and they definitely do not sing, for it is an abomination to the Lord, for them to sing to Me when everyone around them is singing to me.”
And you offered your wife’s theory. Your loyalty is admirable, but you should ask her for some help.
Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
Party likes it’s 1985!
bkmk
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