The strange case of Sodom; Angels: Day 084

Last updated on: October 13, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

The strange case of Sodom; Angels: Day 084 2016-10-01T11:18:08-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The strange case of Sodom

The unnatural lust of the Sodomites, says St. Ephrem the Syrian, was only possible because they thought the angels were human. What can we say about someone who knows that God is God, yet treats God as if he were a creature?

With brightness, glorious though borrowed, the angels entered into So- dom. They saw the brightness that was fairer than all, and they were frantic, old men and young. The fire of the Most High came down to aid the sons of the Most High—not so that it might deliver the holy, but so that it might burn up the proud ones.

The high ones changed their appearance, and that is why those below were bold. If the spiritual beings had shown their light, the fleshly beings would have been prostrated. They thought the angels, a spiritual nature, were of their own nature, and that is why they lusted, though they did not change their nature. Lust lusted after those of its own race in a way that was contrary to nature; it would not have lusted after the high ones, who were foreign to its nature. Lust lusted after the high ones, because they had taken the form of those below. It was against nature, and yet it was in nature, because lust lusted for what was its own.

Whoever pries into God is mad beyond all nature. You confess his Essence, but you pry into him as if he were a creature? If you call him God, there is no room for prying. Faith is the medium that must go between you and God. –St. Ephrem the Syrian, Rhythm 3 on the Faith

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Even the angels are beyond my understanding without faith. Is faith always the medium in my relationship with God?

CLOSING PRAYER

Guardian Angel, always be with me to check my pride, and to remind me that humble faith is always the proper approach to God.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Year with the Angels

Mike Aquilina

Saint Benedict Press

Saint Ephrem the Syrian

Previous Post

October 13, 2016

CBB Review: Autumn Meditations

Next Post

October 14, 2016 CBB Giveaway: Particles of Faith and Autumn Meditations

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz