From the Pastor:
The reading from Isaiah once again helps us to understand angels. We remember that just over a year ago Fr Hincks came to our parish to share some wonderful insights. It is these insights which I will share with you in this weeks column.
First, from the prophet Isaiah we set the stage. He has a vision of the Lord, of the lofty throne and angels (seraphim) were stationed there. The angels prayer came forth, “holy, holy, holy is the Lord.” At this the house shook, Isaiah thought we was doomed from his unclean lips. The angel sweeps in with an burning ember to touch his lips. Now Isaiah is purged from sin and humbly says, “Here am I, send me.”
What a beautiful passage from Sacred scripture. We receive a glimpse into the life of angels. But how can we grow more in love with angels. There are so many self-help books, they are the how-to’s for everything. But rarely do they touch the understanding of growing closer to angels.
Fr Hincks gives us twelve steps in growing closer to our guardian angel. Twelve steps were used way before the AA programs. Saint Benedict proposed twelve steps to humility. Saint Alphonsus proposed twelve steps to holiness. Now, twelve steps with the help of Saint Paul to developing a deeper relationship with our angel.
1) Saint Paul exhorts us not only to believe in our angels but that they should form an important part of our faith. Angels were at the Resurrection and ministered to Christ in the desert.
2) Through the angels we do the will of God. The law was announced to Moses with angels. God gives us a guardian angel to guide and protect us.
3)There exists a heavenly hierarchy. There are in the world of angels, thrones, dominions, powers, virtues and princes. Saint Paul is caught up to the third heaven (paradise), where the choirs of angels dwell.
4) Our guardian angel will give power to our words. We get this understanding from Saint Paul who was caught in a storm. Paul tries to persuade the captain but it wasn’t until the angel appeared and assured him that his words had any effect on the captain.
5)Each city, nation, and individual has a personal angel. Saint Paul speaks of the angel of Macedonia.
6) First Corinthians says, “we will judge the angels.” This means that some men will be higher than some angels in the Heavenly kingdom. They will be closer to God.
7) Angels speak a special language. They have no need of lips or a body so it is more like mental telepathy, or mind to mind. Angels can put an idea in our minds, images into our imagination, feelings into our passions.
We must understand their role. They have limitations in that they are not God. In Colossians we hear that no one should delight in the worship of angels, worship is only for God.
9) Archangels will announce the final coming. Sacred Scripture tells of angels separating the sheep from the goats.
10) In Second Corinthians, we receive light about discerning the good spirits from the bad spirits, the good angels and bad angels. Therefore Ephesians says “put on your armor.”
11) There should be great reverence when in the presence of the angels.
12) Angels are attracted to us when we are in silence. For example, to Christ when He was in the desert and Moses when he received the law. No task is too great and the angels fly to our side to help us do the will of God. They are a means to the end and the end is GOD.
