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Home , Camael, Guardian angel

Adult Catechism Class May 4, 2015 Part 1: Scripture Readings: 4:8: And the four , each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”

Revelation 5:11-12: Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many surrounding the and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

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.

Part 2: What is an ? An angel is a pure spirit created by God. The included the belief in angels: the name applied to certain spiritual beings or intelligences of heavenly residence, employed by God as the ministers of His will. The English word "angel" comes from the Greek angelos, which means 'messenger'. In the Old Testament, with two exceptions, the Hebrew word for "angel" is malak, also meaning 'messenger'. Although the word "angel" in the , meaning a messenger, nearly always applies to heavenly beings, it can occasionally apply to messengers. Malachi himself said a priest was a messenger (malak) of the LORD of hosts (Malachi 2:7), and in the Book of Revelation the elders of the seven churches of Asia were called angels (1:20; 2:1 etc.). But when we meet messengers doing things, there is no doubt they are heavenly beings - God's messengers, working for Him and for the ultimate benefit of mankind. God created the spiritual, non-corporeal (bodiless) beings we call angels. The Church bases this teaching on both Scripture and Tradition. Each angel has intelligence and will, and each is a personal and immortal creature. In other words, each heavenly angel is a unique being who has chosen to love and serve God, its Creator. It is a being who will never die. But the Church teaches that not all angels chose to do God's will. "'The devil and other were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing. Some angels sinned. We don't know exactly what they did wrong, but their "fall" was a result of radically and irrevocably rejecting God and His reign. And since the beginning of humanity's time on earth, the devil— immortal and powerful, but not all-powerful like God—has been encouraging human beings to also reject their Creator. No human being has been spared this tempting, not even Jesus (Mt 4:1-11). Angels and are separate and different beings. Angels are 100 percent spirits; humans are both spirit (soul) and body. A human being's soul is immortal; his or her body dies. When the soul leaves the body at , it is not transformed somehow into an angel. Rather, a soul that has gone to heaven enjoys God's presence with the angels and joins with the angels—and other human souls—in praising God. This is the image the Church presents. Part 3: What is a ? Throughout our lives God's angels are there to offer care and intercession. It was St. Basil the Great (who died in A.D. 379) who said, "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." What the Church teaches, and highly encourages, is asking angels for help. In the same way, a person can ask—can pray—to Mary and to the saints, asking for their help, their intercession. In both the Old and New Testaments, angels bring God's message to human beings. It was an angel, , who announced to Mary that God had chosen her to be mother of the Messiah. Does every human being have a guardian angel? Yes, every human being, whoever was, is, or will be, has a guardian angel. The existence of angels is a dogma of Faith, and the existence of guardian angels is clear from Holy Scripture and Tradition. The guardian angel cannot force his trust to cooperate with grace, otherwise the will would not be free, but he acts as a channel of actual grace, working with God’s providential designs, to bring the person he is guarding in contact with outside occasions of grace: good Catholics, religious and lay, good books, a good teacher, good words and examples. The more a man cooperates with grace the more graces he will receive. Guardian angels also have the power to help our imagination in meditation. Since the imagination is one of our inner senses the angel can actually place holy images in the mind, especially if we ask their assistance. If demons can place impure images in someone’s imagination, in their attempts to lure one into willful consent, then good angels can place holy images in the mind to move one to acts of love and virtue. Likewise, good angels can prevent demons from assaulting our imagination by guarding our minds. “Ever this night (and day) be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide.” The conversion of a sinner gives great joy to their guardian angel, indeed to all the angels. After a person’s death, the guardian angel’s work of guarding is over. However, they do still have intercessory “work” to do if their charge is in purgatory. They carry the prayers of the suffering souls to heaven and continue to act as an advocate. They give comfort and solace to the souls in purgatory. Remember, too, that their work as advocate is most intense at the hour of death. The guardian angels of those who die in grace work to procure a peaceful death and ward off the demons from any final assault. Or, if God permits a final temptation, to increase the merit of the just, the guardian angels assist in the battle. Of those who face the last hour in sin, the guardian angels work by infusing holy images or providing a last occasion of grace by the exhortations of a good friend, or relative, nurse, or chaplain. It is only after the soul that was entrusted to them is in eternal beatitude that the “work” of the angel guardian is over. After this, the guardian angel rests for all eternity in the joy of the Lord. And they also have a special accidental joy if the soul they guarded is in heaven with them. If we are saved, our guardian angels will always thank God for our salvation. The guardian angel never loses the beatific vision of God even while on their earthly assignment. They are always “in heaven” as far as the state of eternal bliss, even when they are not in the “place” of heaven. Don’t forget that heaven is also a place, the physical beauty of which is beyond our imagination. Your guardian angel is yours alone. There are plenty of guardian angels for the employ of each and every man. Some saints held that every angel of this lowest of the nine choirs will receive a trust to guard. When the last guardian angel is sent by God, that will be to protect the last man created by God. Part 4: Who is the Devil and the Demons? There are also fallen angels, led by the chief of the fallen angels, . Lucifer means “light bearer.” 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.” We often refer to Lucifer as Satan which means “Adversary”. Other angels followed Lucifer. We refer to these fallen angels as demons or devils. We also have a name for another angel; a . He's also been referred to as Beelzebub ("the lord of the flies").The origin of the word "devil" is the Greek word for "slanderer." "" is based on the Greek for "evil god." The Church teaches there is a devil and a multitude of demons, all "fallen angels." 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 devil was once a good angel called Lucifer. However, his pride cost him his place in heaven. Jesus said that He saw satan fall like lightning from the sky, in Luke 10:18. Jesus also said that his mission on earth was "to defeat the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). Satan has the advantage over us in that he is an invisible powerful spirit. One of his greatest tricks on us is to convince so many of us that he doesn’t even exist, truly a great wartime tactic. Archbishop Sheen once said that God’s name is “I AM WHO AM”, while the devil mocks God by saying “I am who am not”. In the fourth chapter of Luke, Jesus was tempted by satan (the adversary) in the desert, three times. Satan’s great pride must have convinced him that he could even make God in human form fall. Satan even offered Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world if he would fall down and worship him. This was hubris to the max, because the kingdoms of the world already belonged to God. Even though Jesus was tired and hungry, he stood up to satan’s verbal assaults of taking scripture out of context and trying to make Jesus fall. Isaiah tells us a little more about the fall of satan, in Isaiah chapter 14, verse 12. Here we see how the morning star, Lucifer, lost his place in heaven and was banished to the earth. His plan was to infect and , and all mankind, with his sin of pride – “Ye shall be as ”, it says in Genesis 3:5. took the bait and sin and death thus entered the world. Some theologians conjecture that satan hates mankind so much because some of us will be taking the place of Lucifer and his followers in their heavenly seats. We should all know that whenever we sin seriously, satan and his minions get a toehold on our life, and the lives of our family members. Since satan has finally figured out that he cannot get at God, he goes for His children here on earth – us. Remember, satan and his demons are very subtle. He's not going to come to you as he truly is, but in a very appealing disguise. The person or persons he will acquaint you with will mix lies with the truth to confuse you and to lead you away from the Church and the Eucharist. And it will all seem so right and pleasant to the earthly side of you. He will slowly but surely lead you into deeper and deeper sin. Sin is like a boomerang that you throw and then returns and hits you hard in the back of your head, when you least expect it. Jesus said that you will not get out of prison (purgatory) until you have paid the last penny (Matthew 5:26), so atone for your sins now while you still have time. The devil is the "god of this world", the prince of the very air we breathe, and the whole world is in his power. The only way to overcome him is through humility and prayer, based on the examples of Jesus and Mary, who trusted in God the Father completely. There is no need to have an inordinate fear of the devil and his demons if you are in the state of grace. 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.

Part 5: The 9 choirs of angels: Holy Scripture distinguishes several classes of Angels. Theologians divide the Angels into three hierarchies, each of which contains three orders, or Choirs:

Seraphim: These are the highest order or choir of angels. They are the angels who are attendants or guardians before God's throne. They praise God, calling, "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts". The only Bible reference of them is in Isaiah 6:1-7. One of them touched Isaiah's lips with a live coal from the altar, cleansing him from sin. Seraphim have six wings, two cover their faces, two cover their feet, and two are for flying. Lucifer traditionally has been described as a fallen angel from the Seraphim class.

Cherubim: Cherubim rank after the seraphim and are the second highest in the nine hierarchies or choirs of angels. The Old Testament does not reveal any evidence that the Jews considered them as intercessors or helpers of God. They were closely linked in God's glory. They are manlike in appearance and double-winged and were guardians of God's glory. They symbolized then, God's power and mobility. In the , they are alluded to as celestial attendants in the Apocalypse (Rv 4-6). Catholic tradition describes them as angels who have an intimate knowledge of God and continually praise Him.

Thrones: Thrones are the Angels of pure Humility, Peace and Submisssion. They reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. The lower Choir of Angels need the Thrones to access God.

Dominions: Dominions are Angels of Leadership. They regulate the duties of the angels, making known the commands of God.

Virtues: Virtues are known as the Spirits of Motion and control the elements. They are sometimes referred to as "the shining ones." They govern all nature. They have control over seasons, stars, moon; even the sun is subject to their command. They are also in charge of miracles and provide courage, grace, and valor.

Powers: Powers are Warrior Angels against evil defending the cosmos and humans. They are known as potentates. They fight against evil spirits who attempt to wreak chaos through human beings. The chief is said to be either or , both angels of darkness.

Principalities: The Principalities who form the Third Choir, are charged to watch over Empires, Provinces, Dioceses, etc., and to avert them from the effects of the Divine wrath. They are also appointed to transmit to the Angels of the last two Choirs the orders of the Most High. Purity of intention is the virtue ascribed to them, for in their high functions they never seek but the honor and interest of God alone. The Principalities preside over the third hierarchy. Their duties are executive in regard to the visible world of men. They also guard the nations of the earth and Saint Thomas says of them: “The execution of the angelic ministrations consists in announcing divine things. Now, in the execution of any action there are beginners and leaders; this – the leadership – belongs to the Principalities.” We should then invoke them for the protection of our country that it may realize the designs of God upon it. Those who have to exercise any authority should honor these blessed spirits in a special way; they would receive from them graces of light and strength in the discharge of their duties. However, many of the Principalities fell away and disobeyed God and instead decided to follow Satan.

Archangels: are generally taken to mean "chief or leading angel" ( Jude 9; 1 Thes 4:16), they are the most frequently mentioned throughout the Bible. They may be of this or other hierarchies as St. , who is a princely . The Archangels have a unique role as God's messenger to the people at critical times in history and salvation (Tb 12:6, 15; Jn 5:4; Rv 12:7-9) as in The Annunciation and Apocalypse. A feast day celebrating the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and is celebrated on November 8. A special part of the Byzantine Liturgy invokes the "Cherubic Hymn" which celebrates these archangels and the guardian angels particularly. Of special significance is St. Michael as he has been invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. The Eastern Rite and many others place him over all the angels, as Prince of the Seraphim. He is described as the "chief of princes" and as the leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over Satan (who was also an archangel) and his followers. The angel Gabriel first appeared in the Old Testament in the prophesies of , he announced the prophecy of 70 weeks (Dn 9:21-27). He appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist (Lk 1:11). It was also Gabriel which proclaimed the Annunciation of Mary to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour. (Lk 1:26) The angel Raphael first appeared in the book of Tobit. He announces "I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the throne of God." (Tb 12:15)

Angels: These angels are closest to the material world and human begins. They deliver the prayers to God and God's answers and other messages to humans. Angels have the capacity to access any and all other Angels at any time. They are the most caring and social to assist those who ask for help.

There can be no doubt that the angels really exist, or that the angels are in heavenly glory and that the demons are in eternal separation from God. There should also be no doubt that the angels have a twofold role in God's providence. They are to worship God and venerate His divine majesty through all eternity, and they are to assist us in our probation here on earth in order that we might join the angels in heavenly glory. The purpose of learning about angels is not only what we are to believe about the angelic world. Our purpose is also, and emphatically, to be able to share our angelic faith with others. This means to be able to help those who are confused about Christian teaching on the angels. We are to convince those who doubt or deny even the existence of the angels, that there is a spiritual world created by God to serve the interests of the human race. We are to grow in our devotion to the angels whose service of God is to cooperate with us in reaching our heavenly destiny. We are finally to become more aware, than ever before, of the existence of an angelic evil world that is constantly at work to seduce human beings from their service of God and, if possible, bring them into that darkness where they are eternally estranged from the God for whom they were made.