THE ANGELS OF GOD ASCENDING AND DESCENDING

Dn 7,9-10.13-14 opp. Rev 12,7-12a; Ps 137; Jn 1,47-51
29 SEPTEMBER
To understand who the Angels are, it is right to read some passages from the Letter to the Hebrews. In Ancient Scripture they were the mediators between God and men.

In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”? Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me”? And again, when he leads the first-born into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.”

Of the angels he says: “He makes his angels winds and his ministers a fiery flame”; but of the Son: “Your throne, O God, stands forever and ever; and a righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom. You loved justice and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions”; and: “At the beginning, O Lord, you established the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; and they will all grow old like a garment. You will roll them up like a cloak, and like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.” But to which of the angels has he ever said: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Heb 1,1-14).

Therefore, we must attend all the more to what we have heard, so that we may not be carried away. For if the word announced through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? Announced originally through the Lord, it was confirmed for us by those who had heard. God added his testimony by signs, wonders, various acts of power, and distribution of the gifts of the holy Spirit according to his will (Heb 2,1-4).

If the Father wants to communicate something to men, everything will happen through Christ Jesus. Nothing in the order of creation and redemption or sanctification might take place outside and without Jesus the Lord. We can affirm that with the Incarnation of the Word the same angelic mission changes. Now they too are subjected to Christ, they will have to obey his every command, they will have to address to him their every request. The Father no longer entrusts them anything. Everything is entrusted and delivered by Christ and for him.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 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 the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Now if the Angels too have to go through Christ the Lord – he is the only ladder that leads from heaven to earth and from earth to heaven – never any of them can make a revelation that is contrary to the truth, mission and only and universal mediation of Jesus the Lord. Not even the Father can reveal other ways of salvation or redemption. He placed everything in the hands of his Son. Therefore, those who propose religions as a way of true salvation are in great error. They are all paths that must flow into Christ Jesus to clothe themselves with his truth and be filled with his grace. Whoever leads away from Christ – and every falsehood moves away – is an enemy of man.

Faithful Virgin, Angels and Saints, preserve the Church in the truth of Christ Jesus.