The orders of angels teach one another, Angels: Day 035

Last updated on: August 25, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

The orders of angels teach one another, Angels: Day 035 2016-08-20T15:10:17-05:00 Pete Socks

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The orders of angels teach one another

The hierarchy of Heaven, like the hierarchy on Earth, keeps to a definite order of teaching, according to Dionysius the Areopagite. The higher levels teach the subordinate levels. Like some other Fathers, our writer imagines the beginning of Isaiah 63 as a description of the scene in Heaven when Christ ascended.

Theologians show that the superior orders of heavenly beings teach the subordinate orders the knowledge of becoming like God. The highest orders of all receive their illumination directly from God, as far as possible for them, in revelations of the divine mysteries. Some (the theologians say) were instructed by those of higher rank that he who ascended into Heaven as a man is Lord of the heavenly powers, and King of glory; others asked Jesus himself, because they wished to be taught about his divine work on our behalf, and Jesus taught them directly, showing them what he had done out of love for humanity. “It is I,” Jesus said, “announcing vindication, mighty to save” (Isa. 63:1).

Personally, I am amazed that even the foremost of the heavenly beings, so far above all the rest, should reverently look for the divine teachings as intermediate beings. They do not ask directly, “Why is your apparel red?” (Isa. 63:2). But first they raise the question among themselves. This shows that they desire to learn, and crave the knowledge of being like God, and do not demand the knowledge of what God has done before it is time for them to know. –Dionysius the Areopagite, The Celestial Hierarchy, 7.3

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Do I reverently accept the teaching authority of those to whom the Church has given it—both angels and bishops?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, you chose the lamp of the twelve apostles with its twelve lights, and sent them forth to proclaim throughout the whole world and teach the gospel of your kingdom; send your angels to keep their successors safe from all error.

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A Year with the Angels

Mike Aquilina

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Saint Dionysius the Areopagite

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