Episcoblog - The Online Journal of the Rt. Rev. Leo Michael

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September 29, 2008

I Believe in Angels: Feast of St. Michael & All Angels

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12
One of our Christmas pageants had the role of Angel Gabriel announcing the message to the Blessed Virgin. The role was assigned to 2-yr-old Ruby. Her part was: “Fear Not.” Whenever Ruby appeared, even when it wasn’t her turn, she would in her little voice say “fear not.” I can’t think of Angel Gabriel without thinking of Ruby’s, “Fear Not.” Children are adorable indeed.
Our remembrance of angels could be from a pageant, movie or story told by someone of their encounter with angels or someone who saw angels in action through humanitarian outreach. The thought of angels is so comforting. We read about them in the Holy Bible—of Cherubs and Seraphs and hosts of angels in service of the Divine Majesty. We see them in churches in adoration before the throne of God, or before the mercy seat. They are more than a figment of imagination. They are spirits and they are real. How wonderful it is to know when in some dire need we come across an unforeseen person coming to our rescue. Could it be an angel?
Years ago long before the age of tubes and you tubes, when pictorial presentation was in vogue, I used to wait for my communion /confirmation preparation class. The parish sexton Antony, used to be our catechist and we better get our answers right, lest there was a cane. He was a good man, putting the church family before his own, living behind the quarters of the church at beck and call of the Parish priest or any family. I have not seen the busiest man like him. He would be prompt to ring the angelus bells, including the toll on the passing away of members of the parish. The parish where I grew up comprised of over 60 villages and around the church were novitiates, philosophates and Christian schools. The peel of the toll bell would remind us of the passing away of a dear soul. From across the parish hill was my own little church surrounded by cemeteries, the place where I was born.
Tony would instruct us and we better be present to learn our lessons every Saturday; that we had to walk to the parish church on our own was another story. The much awaited part of the lesson was the pictorial essay. One picture that I saw is afresh in my mind, apart from the stories of Genesis.
This was the picture of judgment, where our Lord was seated. To the right, was the depiction of the great cloud of witnesses and the scene of an angel accompanying a person to Heaven. The angel’s face was of a happy countenance and so was the soul that the angel accompanied, of course the picture of the devil was very sad and he looked disappointed. To the left it was an opposite scenario. The devil was accompanying a person to hell and the person’s angel was disappointed. Of course the devil was happy over his accomplishment. Jesus’ own words on our angels interceding before God’s throne confirms this scenario: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 18:10)
How important it is then to treat the children with utmost care. Especially those that commit atrocities against children should beware of this stern punishment from our master: Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea (Matthew 18:5, 6)
Our Lord himself makes reference to Angels: To treat the children with utmost care for their angels are in constant adoration before the Father in heaven. Wish those who abuse children for whatever reasons; be aware of what the Lord thought: It would be better for the millstone be ….
The New Testament speaks of Angel Gabriel (God’s strength) on a mission to Nazareth to young virgin named Mary to deliver the good news of the birth of our savior. Which indeed take place: And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us as John the Divine testifies. The apostle John also testifies to the great war took place in heaven and how the devil was defeated by Archangel Michael (God’s semblance) Revelation 12.7-12 In Tobit of the Apocrypha we read of Raphael (the angel of healing) who is on a mission to heal Tobias a God fearing man of his blindness.

Angels are real and they are at our service appointed by God to lead us towards Him: Here is a song that reminds us of angels.
Today we celebrate the feast of the
Guardian Angel please watch over me
Wherever you go where I be
I know you’re there though you cannot be seen
You are my God’s greatest gift to me

My sweet little child I will watch you today
When you are speaking and when you’re awake
I’ll be there beside you when you’re tired
I’ll be your shepherd and heav’nly guide

O my good angel whom God has appointed you to be my guardian, enlighten, protect, direct and govern me, who have been entrusted to you by the Divine Mercy.

Here is a Youtube on Guardian Angels:
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Posted by bpleo at September 29, 2008 11:25 AM