I. The Angels
The existence of angels - a truth
of faith
328 The existence of the spiritual,
non-corporeal beings that Sacred
Scripture usually calls "angels" is
a truth of faith. The witness
of Scripture is as clear as the
unanimity of Tradition.
329 St. Augustine says:
"'Angel' is the name of
their office, not of their
nature. If you seek the name
of their nature, it is 'spirit';
if you seek the name of their
office, it is 'angel': from
what they are, 'spirit', from
what they do, 'angel.'"
With their whole beings the angels
are servants and messengers of
God. Because they "always
behold the face of my Father who
is in heaven" they are the "mighty
ones who do his word, hearkening
to the voice of his word".
330 As purely spiritual creatures
angels have intelligence and will:
they are personal and immortal
creatures, surpassing in perfection
all visible creatures, as the
splendor of their glory bears
witness.
Christ "with all his angels"
331 Christ is the center of the
angelic world. They are his angels: "When
the Son of man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him."
They belong to him because they
were created through and
for Him [Jesus, the Christ]: "for
in him all things were created
in heaven and on earth, visible
and invisible, whether thrones
or dominions or principalities
or authorities - all things were
created through him and for him." They
belong to him still more because
he has made them messengers of
his saving plan: "Are they
not all ministering spirits sent
forth to serve, for the sake of
those who are to obtain salvation?"
332 Angels have been present since
creation and throughout the history
of salvation, announcing this
salvation from afar or near and
serving the accomplishment of
the divine plan. They:
- closed the earthly paradise
- protected Lot
- saved Hagar and her child
- stayed Abraham's hand
- communicated the law by their
ministry
- led the People of God
- announced births and callings;
and
- assisted the prophets
just to cite a few examples. Finally,
the angel Gabriel announced the
birth of the Precursor and that
of Jesus himself.
333 From the Incarnation to the
Ascension, the life of the Word
incarnate is surrounded by the
adoration and service of angels.
When God "brings the firstborn
into the world, he says: 'Let
all God's angels worship him.'" Their
song of praise at the birth of
Christ has not ceased resounding
in the Church's praise: "Glory
to God in the highest!"
They protect Jesus in his infancy,
serve him in the desert, strengthen
him in his agony in the garden,
when he could have been saved
by them from the hands of his
enemies as Israel had been. Again,
it is the angels who "evangelize" by
proclaiming the Good News of Christ's
Incarnation and Resurrection.
They will be present at Christ's
return, which they will announce,
to serve at his judgment.
The angels in the life of the
Church
334 In the meantime, the whole
life of the Church benefits from
the mysterious and powerful help
of angels.
335 In her liturgy, the Church
joins with the angels to adore
the thrice-holy God. She
invokes their assistance
(in the funeral liturgy's In
Paradisum deducant te angeli.
. .["May the angels lead
you into Paradise. . ."]).
Moreover, in the "Cherubic
Hymn" of the Byzantine Liturgy,
she celebrates the memory of certain
angels more particularly (St.
Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael,
and the guardian angels).
336 From its beginning until 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."
St.
Basil, Adv. Eunomium III,
I: PG 29,656B.
Already here on earth the Christian
life shares by faith in the blessed
company of angels and men united
in God. |
