Angels Abound

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

By Beth DeCristofaro

Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

Piety

May God grant you always a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you,

The angelic choirs circling the abode
of God, from Dante's Paradiso,
illustrated by Gustave Doré.

a sheltering angel so nothing can harm you. Laughter to cheer you, faithful friends near you, and whenever you pray, heaven to hear you.  (An Irish Blessing)

Study

Several weeks ago, National Public Radio broadcasted an interview with a female doctor, the last OB-Gyn in Aleppo.  She told the interviewer that she stayed, in spite of constant bombing, because she loves babies and believes in her vocation.  Recently, a young Black student was murdered on his West Virginia campus. He was a good student who had graduated from the junior police academy as a teen and continued to volunteer, helping out the officers in his hometown. Last month, a police officer who found an abused and neglected toddler wandering the streets not only took him to safety in the police station but stayed all night feeding and holding the tiny, sleeping boy because, as a parent, this was the most important thing to do.

All the major religions speak of angels, messengers, and guardians of God.  Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael must be very busy these days in our world of fast-paced chaos.  They must also rejoice with all the heavenly hosts at the moments of sacred caring visible around them – around us.

Action

Who are the angels in your life?  In what way are you gifted and how can share your gifts?  Be an angel to others today.

Illustration from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_angelology