Today we will reflect on several key facts about Angels. The belief in angels is a matter of faith, which leaves us with no choice but to accept it.

St. Michael is the leader of all angels, protector of the Church, and triumphs over Satan. The name Michael signifies one who is like God.

St. Gabriel signifies the power of God, delivering glad tidings to the world; proclaiming the arrival of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus.

St. Raphael signifies the Healer God. He assisted young Tobias, Sarah, and several others.

Angels aren’t names of these spiritual entities, but rather to their duties. Every angel represents a species, and all humans represent a species as well. According to the gospel’s teachings, Angels are spirit entities and do not possess a physical body. Every one of us humans has a guardian angel. The Jewish tradition believed that if every guardian angel had a form, they would resemble each of us perfectly. 

Acts 12:15 : “They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.”

While St. Peter was imprisoned, angels protected him and led him out to where the Christians were united in prayer for his release. God rescued him and led him to the door of Rhoda’s house, where she hurried to open it. Upon seeing Peter at the door, she was so startled that she dashed back inside without opening it to inform everyone that Peter was outside. Nobody believed her. They said she was “crazy,” and when she insisted, they proposed it could be Peter’s angel instead.
Each of us has a guardian angel assigned, who will be with us no matter where we are, including in Purgatory. They will stay with us until we reach Heaven.

Mathew 18:10 :“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.“

We must not cause harm to anyone, for the angels are conveying information to the Heavenly Father. Each aspect of our existence is communicated to the Father via our guardian angel.

Psalm 103:20 : “Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word.“

‘Spoken word’ refers to the Scriptures. Our angels are consistently obedient to the command of God. We ought to reiterate God’s word related to our lives, and our angel will handle it for us. Since they serve as helpers, designated to assist us.

Hebrews 1:14: “Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?“

We are destined to receive salvation. Through the scripture, we can connect with our angel. If we give a command to the angel, they will follow it. Angels exist in the heavenly realms and can be present in multiple locations simultaneously. The representation of angels with wings symbolizes their swiftness. After we pass away and enter heaven, we will share a similar status to that of the angels. Everything that angels are capable of, we too will be able to do, and whatever actions the angels take, we will also undertake. All that belongs to the angels will also belong to us. We will possess two unique qualities: being equal to angels and becoming children of God.

Luke 20:35-36: “But those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.” 

In heaven, there is no marriage. The joy we will find in Heaven, in God’s presence, will be beyond comprehension, surpassing all the pleasures we encounter here on earth.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 328-333 :  The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition. St. 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, ‘Spirit’, from what they do, ‘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. Christ is the center of the angelic world. They are His angels: “When the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him.” They belong to Heim because they were created through and for Him: “for in Him all things were created in heave and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him.” They belong to Him still more because He has made them messengers of His saving plan: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?”  Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham’s hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the people of God announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples. Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus Himself. From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God “brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all God’s angels worship Him.’ “Their song of praise at the birth of Christ had not ceased resounding in the Church’s praise: “Glory to God in the highest!” They protect Jesus in His infancy, serve Him in the desert, strengthen Him in His agony in the garden, when He could have been saved by them from the hands of His enemies as Israel had been. Again, it is the angels who “evangelized” by proclaiming the Good News of Christ’s Incarnation and Resurrection. They will be present at Christ’s return, which they will announce, to serve at His judgment.  

Both the Bible and tradition affirm that angels exist. The angels possess a language of intent through which they communicate. Angels are eternal and embody perfection.
All angels are connected to Jesus. Why is that? Every angel is made by Him and for Him.

When a soldier came to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword to strike him, but Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword back.”

Mathew 26:53: “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?“

Jesus informs Peter that He is prepared to endure this suffering. Do not prevent them; allow them to take me into custody, as I have chosen to surrender to my enemies. Legions, as per the angelic numbers, surpass counting and numerical limits.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 336: 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.

From the moment we are created in our mother’s womb, an angel is assigned to us. When an abortion occurs, the angel carries that child to Heaven.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 395: The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God’s reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries — of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature — to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but “we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him.

Satan is a fallen angel, and his strength is not infinite. Satan is never on the same level as God, only in opposition to Him. Satan cannot stop it, though He may attempt to prevent God from establishing His kingdom. Satan is operating in the world, out of hatred towards God. He attacks us not directly, but indirectly via individuals, creatures, and forces. God allows these actions of Satan for His own glory, as He can transform every evil into good.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 393:  It is the irrevocable character of their choice, and not a defect in the infinite divine mercy, that makes the angels’ sin unforgivable. “There is no repentance for the angels after their fall, just as there is no repentance for men after death.

Angels who commit sin are not pardoned since they are unable to repent. Just as there is no repentance for humans after death, there is no repentance for angels after their fall. Repentance ends with our death. They become fallen angels and are banished from heaven when they choose to stand against God. While we commit sins without understanding what lies ahead, angels make decisions with full consent and will knowing the future. As a result, we are able to repent and receive forgiveness.

Transcribed by Durriya Alphonso