FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES
“You shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” ––John 1:51
How often do you think about the Archangels? How often do you think about your guardian angel? It appears Jesus often thinks of His angels, since He frequently refers to them in the Gospels. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, escorted by all the angels of heaven, He will sit upon His royal throne” (Mt 25:31). Seeing that angels enjoy such intimacy with the Lord, it’s incumbent upon us to further investigate our relationship with them.
Angels are creatures, purely spirit and possessing superior intellect. “In Him everything in heaven and on earth was created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominations, principalities or powers; all were created through Him, and for Him” (Col 1:16). In God’s redemptive plan, He uses these messengers at many critical points in salvation history. Angels:
• protected Lot (Gn 19:15),
• saved Hagar and her child (Gn 21:17ff),
• stayed Abraham’s hand (Gn 22:11-12),
• announced the birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:11-13) and that of Jesus Himself (Lk 1:26-31),
• protected Jesus in His infancy (Mt 2:13),
• served Him in the desert (Mt 4:11), and
• strengthened Him in His agony in the garden (Lk 22:43).
On this feast day, ask for the intercession of the Archangels. God’s powerful messengers will deliver your petition to the heavenly throne (see Rv 8:3).
PRAYER: Father, open the eyes of my heart to fully comprehend the communion of saints.
PROMISE: “You built up strength within me.” ––Ps 138:3
PRAISE: “I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord” (Tb 12:15).
