Like the angels, we have free will; Angels: Day 111

Last updated on: November 9, 2016 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Like the angels, we have free will; Angels: Day 111 2016-11-06T12:54:56-05:00 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.

Reason, says St. John of Damascus, is very closely linked with free will. With reason, we can decide what’s best for ourselves, and with free will we can do it—an ability we share with the angels.

Everyone who deliberates does so believing that the choice of what to do lies in his hands—that he may choose what seems best as the result of his delibera- tion, and having chosen may act upon it.

And if this is so, free will must necessarily be very closely related to reason. For either man is an irrational being, or, if he is rational, he is master of his acts and endowed with free will. Thus creatures without reason do not enjoy free will: nature leads them, but they do not lead nature. And so they do not oppose the natural appetite, but as soon as their appetite longs for something they rush head- long after it.

But we, being rational, lead nature; nature does not lead us. And so when we want something, we have the power to curb our appetite or to indulge it—which- ever we please. Therefore creatures that have no reason are neither praised nor blamed, while man is the subject of both praise and blame.

Note also that the angels, being rational, are endowed with free will, and, since they are created, are liable to change. In fact, this is made plain by the devil, who was made good by the Creator, but of his own free will became the inventor of evil—and by the powers who revolted with him (the demons), and by the other troops of angels who persisted in goodness. –St. John of Damascus, Exposition of the Christian Faith, 2.27

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Do I use my freedom faithfully, as the angels do? Do I act with forethought and prayer?

CLOSING PRAYER
Holy Guardian Angel, you are with me in every decision I face. Help me to be attentive to your promptings.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with the Angels

Mike Aquilina

Saint Benedict Press

Saint John of Damascus

Previous Post

November 8, 2016

Angels and humans have free will; Angels: Day 110

Next Post

November 9, 2016 CBB Review - Faith Under Fire

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