CATHOLIC TEACHING ON ANGELS

 

THE CATHOLIC TEACHINGS ON THE ANGELS

The Catholic Church celebrates feast of Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (THE ARCHANGELS) on September 29. On every October 2, the Church celebrates the Guardian Angels. 

WHY IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SO CONCERNED ABOUT CELEBRATING THE ANGELS OF GOD?

Angels have a very big role in the Bible and in our history. Angels are a Dogma of Catholic Faith; you cannot be a Catholic if you do not believe in the existence of angels. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 328) states: The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls angels is a truth of faith. 

The Jews believe in the angels because the Old Testament makes numerous references to them. For them (Jews) then it is an article of faith that cannot be ignored if you want to be a sincere and devout Jew. The same especially is true of Christians. In addition to what is given to us in the Old Testament, almost every book of the New Testament shows us that the angels are a real and active force in our lives. And since the life of Jesus as man and His eternal existence as God in the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity consists of numerous encounters with the angels, you cannot believe in Jesus as Christ if you do not also believe in angels.

SO WHAT OR WHO ARE ANGELS?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 329-330) forms bulk of the answer. Saint Augustine says: Angel is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is spirit; if you seek the name of their office, it is angel. From what they are, [they are] spirit; from what they do, [they are] ‘angel. With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven they are the mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word. As purely spiritual creatures, angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.

Christian doctrine thus teaches that the angels are spiritual beings who were created by God to serve Him. They can appear in human form and interact with us, but those bodies are only temporary illusions and pass away when their interaction with certain humans ends in sin. As purely spiritual beings, angels thus do not have DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and those bodies may feel tangible but are not part of the angelic nature and thus vanish after the encounter because they have no use for physical bodies as we do. But as created beings, they exist within time as we do and do not know the future unless God reveals it to them.

Angels are not on the same level as God, not even close. God is God. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere present, etc. Angels are not all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere present, etc. In fact, some of the angels got into big trouble with God when they wanted to be on the same level as God. There is a lesson for us here. Humility is a bedrock virtue and there is no progressing in the spiritual life without humility.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ANGELS?

The purpose of all of the angels is to serve God, to praise God, to worship God, and to pray to God. In the process of serving God, they also protect us, pray for us, inspire us, encourage us, and guide us during our journey on Earth. Some early Christian traditions indicate that even after our death, the angels continue to guide us in our journey to our final place, whether it is to Heaven or to Hell. It is speculative that those who have to go through the final state of purification on the way to Heaven known as Purgatory might also have their guardian angels (Psalm 91:9-12; Matthew 18:1-4,10) with them during their time of purification of sin.

EVERYONE HAS A GUARDIAN ANGEL

CCC 336 tells us: From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God. Read 2 kings 6:16-18

OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS LOVE US AND DO EVERYTHING WITHIN THE WILL OF GOD TO PROTECT US FROM HARM. Sometimes though, we reject the protecton of God when we reject God through sin. And we have to deal with the consequences of our sins when we do not repent. 

ANGELS ALSO PRAY FOR US. We see in Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8 that the angels continue to sing and pray to God, Holy, holy, holy. We also see in Tobit 12:12 and Revelation 5:8 and 8:3 that along with the Saints who are in Heaven, the angels serve as intercessors for us in prayer to God. For this reason, Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:10 not to despise or bring harm to children, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. We should not try to name our Guardian Angels. God knows their names; we do not and will not, at least until heaven. Assigning a name to someone implies a claim of authority by the one doing the naming over the one being named. Parents name their children. People name their cats. Children neither name their parents nor do cats name their owners. We do not have authority over our Guardian Angels; rather God has given them a certain authority over us.

HOW MANY ANGELS DID GOD CREATE?

According to Daniel 7:10, there are so many of them. The angels cannot be counted by human standards but they and God know how many of them they are. And yet, as Saint Thomas Aquinas teaches, each angel is unique and no two angels are the same. 

ARE THERE FEMALE ANGELS? NO, AND TECHNICALLY THERE ARE NOT ANY MALE EITHER

Since they are spirits and do not have bodies, they do not have a gender and thus they cannot be male or female. 

NINE CHOIRS OF ANGELS

All angelic beings have a purpose and perform different functions. According to theological traditions inspired from what the Bible makes reference to in various passages, there are nine choirs of angels organized in a heavenly hierarchy: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. 

THE FIRST THREE CHOIRS see and adore God directly. The SERAPHIM, which means the burning ones, have the most intense flaming love for God and comprehend Him with the greatest clarity. (Interestingly, Lucifer, which means light bearer, was one of the seraphim whose beautiful light was changed into darkness.) The CHERUBIM, which means fullness of wisdom, contemplate the divine providence and plan of God for His creatures. Lastly, the THRONES, symbolizing divine justice and judicial power, contemplate the power and justice of God.

THE NEXT THREE CHOIRS fulfill providential plan of God for the universe: The DOMINATIONS or DOMINIONS, whose name evokes authority, govern the lesser choirs of angels. The VIRTUES, whose name originally suggested power or strength, implement the orders from the dominations and govern the heavenly bodies. Lastly, the POWERS confront and fight against any evil forces opposed to the providential plan of God.

THE LAST THREE CHOIRS are directly involved in human affairs: The PRINCIPALITIES care for earthly principalities, such as nations or cities. The ARCHANGELS deliver the most important messages of God to mankind, while each ANGEL serves as a guardian for each of us. Although not official dogma, this schema became popular in the Middle Ages in the writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Dante, Hildegard of Bingen and John Scotus Erigina.

And we know the names of the seven archangels who lead the angelic host (Tobit 12:15, Revelation 8:2); three are mentioned in Scripture and four from historical tradition. They are Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, Saint Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Zerachiel, and Remiel. As of Council of Rome in 745 AD under the reign of Pope Saint Zachary, the Catholic Church officially only acknowledges the names of three of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael because they are the only ones mentioned by name in the Bible.

Angels are all around us even if we do not see them. For every human being present in a room, there is at least one angel present, if not more. Their ultimate purpose is to serve God and by consequence to help us. They are guardians of the Universe, warriors against the forces of darkness, guardians of every human being, ministers of the sacred mysteries of God, and messengers of the Divine Plan of God.

Reflect upon the following readings from Sacred Scripture and meditate upon the purpose of the angels and by consequence our service and purpose to God. They are the perfect examples of love, loyalty, and fortitude.

ANGELS HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE THE TIME OF OLD TESTAMENT

There are hundreds of references to angels in Scripture. Here are just a few: An angel was sent to keep Abraham from sacrificing Isaac (Genesis 22:11-12). The Archangel Raphael (whose name means God heals) assisted Tobiah on his journeys, leads Tobiah to his wife, Sarah, and heals the father of Tobiah, Tobit (Read the whole book of Tobit). The Archangel Gabriel (whose name means the hero of God) announced the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus (Luke 1). The Archangel Michael (whose name means, Who is like God? is the chief angelic warrior for God (cf. Daniel 10, Jude 1:9, Revelation 12). He is also the principal angelic defender of the Church. Angels ministered to Christ in the desert (Matthew 4:11), and in his agony in the Garden (Luke 22:43). Angels witnessed to the resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 20:12-13). Angels surround the throne of God and give him constant praise and glory (Daniel 6:9-10; Book of Revelation).

FALLEN ANGELS

There are also, fallen angels, led by the chief of the fallen angels, Lucifer. Lucifer means light bearer. [Lucifer was the name of Satan before his fall. Since his fall, he is not the Lucifer again, because he is darkness, and not light bearer. Church of Satan still use the name LUCIFER]. He was created good, but chose against God. Literature has attributed to him the battle cry of the sin of pride, Non serviam, meaning, I will not serve. Satan means Adversary. Other angels followed Satan. We refer to these fallen angels as demons or devils. All the fallen angels were created good but, of their own free will, they chose against God, in an act of radical disobedience prompted by pride and envy. Because, unlike the intellects and wills of human beings, angelic intellects understand reality in one act of apprehension and because angelic wills choose permanently in one act of volition, there is no possibility that the fallen angels will ever repent. Neither is there any possibility that the good angels will ever sin.

The good angels are members of the Mystical Body of Christ, which is to say that they are our fellow members of the Church.

Because devils are immortal spirits, they too will always exist, but in hell. They seek to tempt us and get us to wind up in hell. We need to be aware of them, but should not be unduly frightened of them because God is infinitely more powerful than Satan and his minions. God is love and mercy itself.

God desires that all of us be saved (1Timothy 2:4) and God gives each of us sufficient grace to get to heaven. Our job is to stay united to God in sanctifying grace. Holy Mass, frequent Eucharistic reception, frequent Confession, devotion to Mary, the angels and saints, faithfulness to the Church and her teachings, and acts of charity; these are our weapons and they are much more powerful than anything that Satan can throw at us. Remember, all those who die in sanctifying grace will definitely go to heaven. If a person commits mortal sin, or even many mortal sins, God, in His infinite mercy, destroys those sins, all of them; every time we make a good sacramental confession.

ANGELS WORSHIP GOD

The angels worship God. We are to worship God as well, in spirit and in truth. The Greek word that theologians use for the worship due alone to the one, true God is Latria. We venerate (honor) the saints and angels. The Greek word for the veneration due to angels and saints is Dulia. Human beings and angels and saints do venerate (honor) the Blessed Virgin Mary to a high degree. The honor due to the Blessed Virgin is even higher than that due to the angels and other saints. The Greek word for the special honor due to Mary is what theologians call Hyperdulia.

OTHER POINTS ON ANGELS

Christ as the Angel of God or Angel of the Lord (Hebrews 1:5-2:16).

Cherubim are known for their power and beauty (Genesis 3:24; Ezekiel 1:5-28; 28:12, 13, 17; 8:1-4; 10:1-22). 

Seraphim perform priestly duties (Isaiah 6:1-7).

Living creatures are mentioned in Revelation, worshiping God (Revelation 4:6-5:14; 6:1-8; 7:11; 14:3, 9-11; 15:7; 19:4).

Arch-angels or chief angels rule kingdoms and planets (Colossians 1:15-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9).

Michael is one of the chief princes, the prince of Israel (Daniel 10:13, 21; 11:1; 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7-9).

Gabriel stands before God and delivers important messages (Daniel 8:16-19; 9:20-23; 10:8-11:1; Luke 1:19, 26).

Common angels are heavenly spirit beings (Matthew 1:20-29; 2:13-19; 28:2-5; 1 Kings 1:11-38; 2:9-21; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7-23).

Guardian angels are given charge over us lest we stub our toes (Psalm 91:12).

Ministering angels are like the one who cooked a hot meal for Elijah when he was running away from an angry Jezebel (1Kings 19:5-7).

Avenging angels are the ones that carry out the judgment of God upon humankind for their wicked deeds (Genesis 19:1-29).

Death angels bring a type of judgment upon a people who persecute innocent groups (Exodus 12: 23; Revelation 6:8).

Angels can travel at inconceivable speeds (Ezekiel 1; Revelation 8:13; 9:1). Faithful angels of the Lord had been tested and tried at the time that Lucifer rebelled, which caused tumult in heaven and he fell from the grace of God (1 Timothy 5:21; Job 4:1-8). The angels test man by unknowingly appearing at times to see how individuals treat strangers (Hebrews 13:2). They are being taught wisdom by the Bride of Christ [the Church] (Ephesians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 4:9).

© Rev Fr. Utazi Prince Marie Benignus Zereuwa

Updated September 30 2020