The ministry of the angels
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (which I draw upon here) sets out in five very expressive paragraphs the ministry and work of the angels (no. 331-336). The angels have been present and active in creation and in salvation history from the beginning. They closed the earthly paradise, protected Lot, saved Hagar and her child, stayed Abraham’s hand, communicated the law and assisted the prophets. The angel Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist and that of Jesus himself.
From the Incarnation through the ascension, the life of the Word of God was surrounded by the angels. When God brought his firstborn into the world, he said, “Let all God’s angels worship him” (Heb 1:6). The song of the angels at Jesus’ birth has not ceased resounding in the praise of the church: “Glory to God in the highest!” (Lk 2:14). The angels protected Jesus in his childhood; served him in the desert; strengthened him in the Garden of Gethsemane. They “evangelized” by proclaiming the good news of the resurrection; they will be present at Christ’s second coming.
In the meantime, the entire life of the church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of the angels. In the liturgy, the church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God, especially in the “Holy, Holy.” The church invokes the assistance of the angels in the funeral liturgy (“May the angels lead you into Paradise…”). During the liturgical year, the church celebrates the angels and archangels (Saints Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, as well as the guardian angels).
From its beginning until its end, human life is surrounded by the watchful care of the angels and, while they do not save us from all life’s dangers, they accompany us to the throne of God. Already here on earth the Christian life shares in the blessed company of angels and humankind united in God.
The angels signify to us the glory of creation beyond all our imagining. Is the universe inhabited by creatures other than the human beings? It certainly is. The existence of the angels declares to us that the cosmos is infinitely more splendid and diverse than we can ever imagine. The marvelous cosmos will be revealed to us at the end of time, when, in the language of the great Fathers of the church, human beings and angels will dance the eternal, round-dance of the holy trinity, when all will be nothing but praise and glory.
Our cathedrals and places of worship are the special dwelling places of angels on earth. In them we are reminded of the new world to come. Our rites, words and songs mingle with the eternal liturgy of heaven, to which we look forward in faith, hope, and love.
Msgr. M. Francis Mannion is pastor of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish and theologian of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
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