They listened to the angels, we listen to the Son; Angels: Day 094

Last updated on: October 23, 2016 at 11:52 am by Pete Socks

They listened to the angels, we listen to the Son; Angels: Day 094 2016-10-12T11:56:13-05:00 Pete Socks

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They listened to the angels, we listen to the Son

St. Augustine tells us that, in Old Testament times, the word of God was given through the angels—and it was heard with earnest obedience. We who have the word directly from the Son should be even more careful to listen.

Whenever God appeared to the patriarchs, presented to them according to his own dispensation suitable to the times, he did so through created beings. We have the authority of the divine Scriptures, and our reason should not stray from them; it should not leave the solid support of God’s own word and fall off the cliff of its own speculations in matters where the perceptions of the body cannot settle the question, and the truth does not shine forth by clear reason.

Now, the letter to the Hebrews distinguishes the dispensation of the New Covenant from the dispensation of the Old, according to the fitness of ages and times; and it certainly says that not only were those things we can see made through the angels, but also God’s speaking was itself done through angels. This is what it says: “But to what angel has he ever said, ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies a stool for your feet’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?” (Heb. 1:13-14). From which it is plain that all those things were not only done through angels, but done for our sake—that is, for the sake of the people of God, who are promised the inheritance of eternal life. And then, showing that it clearly follows that, as the word was spoken by angels then, it is spoken by the Son now: “Therefore we must pay the closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salva- tion?” (Heb. 2:1-3). –St. Augustine, On the Trinity, 3.2

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

In old times, says St. Augustine, God sent his messages through the angels, but now he speaks to us through the Son himself. Do I listen with reverent attention to the read- ings at Mass, as though Christ himself were speaking to me?

CLOSING PRAYER

Angels of God who surround me, be with me especially at Mass, and help me to keep my mind from straying when I hear the Word of God.

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A Year with the Angels

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