THEY ARE EVERYWHERE AND THEY ARE GREAT
God
has not left us alone in our struggle "to refuse evil and to choose
good" (Is 7:15). The angels are His "ministering spirits sent forth
to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation" (Heb 1:14).
The texts of our
Collect tell us what this feast is all about: "O God, who in Your
unfathomable providence are pleased to send Your holy Angels to guard us, hear
our supplication as we cry to You, that we may always be defended by their
protection and rejoice eternally in their company. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."
For Christians and
Jews alike, angels are spirits, created by God, before humanity came into
being. They were created to regulate the order of the world and serve as God's
messengers. Their mission to human beings always has something to do with God's
plan of salvation. In the Old Testament, the messenger is often barely distinct
from God, and appears in order to guide individuals, or the entire Chosen
People. The personification always maintains the sovereignty of God, yet it is
always understood that God is intervening in human affairs.
The same is true of
the angels' visits in the New Testament, in the dream of St. Joseph, the Annunciation to Mary, the
angels who assist Christ after the temptations in the desert, the angels at the
tomb. Through them we understand the presence, knowledge and will of God for
us, in the circumstances of our lives (cf. "Angels" by Richard Woods,
OP; "New Dictionary of Theology"). Regarding angels, opinions and
beliefs range between extremes of "no such thing" to "they are
everywhere and they are great."
Perhaps this will be
helpful in your belief about the angels: In today's Gospel, Jesus says,
"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" (Mt 18:10). God dwells with the lowly and regards them with compassion.
His angels watch over them as guardians. "For He will give His angels
charge of you to guard you in all your ways" (Ps 91:11). God has not left
us alone in our struggle "to refuse evil and to choose good" (Is
7:15). The angels are His "ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for
the sake of those who are to obtain salvation" (Heb 1:14). Scripture is
full of examples of how the angels serve as messengers and protectors!
Yes, the Lord has put
angels in charge. Teach us wisdom, Lord, and let us serve You. Your love and
care are always present; please let us recognize it while on our journey.
"Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading
him to life" (St. Basil, Adv. Eunomium III, I: PG 29,656B).