Musings
St. Paul tells us in Hebrews chpt. 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” We human beings have a very imperfect understanding of the nature of angels, largely because we have so little direct experience of them and many have done so little to study them. Indeed, it is difficult for most of us to have any profound comprehension of the dazzling nature of an angel as they truly exist.
Most folks who ponder the nature of angels mistake them for supernatural beings. However, angels are within the hierarchy of the natural order of things as God created them. They are the highest order of being in the created universe. Even the demons in hell are still of the angelic order and beyond our comprehension in their power. When I say ‘highest order’, I mean that angels are vastly superior to our frail human nature, but they are not supernatural beings. They are spiritual beings existing within the natural order of created existence.
The power of an angel is immense, but it is still a limited created power and must operate within the order of created nature. Almighty God alone has the power to create from nothing and to annihilate something out of existence. If I might use a terribly inadequate and imperfect analogy, angelic beings are as high above our tiny frail human nature, as would be the slight ripples of a pebble in a pond when obliterated by the most massive ocean-wide waves generated by a tropical tsunami.
Another mistaken perception regarding angels is to see them as the loveable, somewhat goofy angel Clarence in the movie “It’s a wonderful life” who is trying to “earn his wings”; or the affable angel played by Michael Landon in Highway to Heaven.
Since each one of us has been assigned our own guardian angel, it is important we try and understand the very nature of these heavenly companions who are taking care of us and guiding us on our earthly journey. St. Thomas Aquinas, the most profound theologian who ever lived, has done more to delve into the nature of angelic beings than anyone else I have studied. St. Thomas explains that because angels are pure spirit and without a material body, they are not encumbered by what is known as The Principle of Individuation.
While multiple human beings exist within our human species because of this principle, St Thomas explains that each and every angel is distinct, a unique creation or species unto itself, comprising a one-of-a-kind marvelous creation in God. He tells us that angels are not limited by material bodies. Yes, our material bodies are a limitation since they get sick and break down with old age. They can only be in one place at a time and ultimately, they die. We human beings can only act wherever we find ourselves bodily.
Angels, like God, are present wherever they act. In the case of angels – finitely. In the case of God – infinitely. Angels, as we said, are present where they act, while God is everywhere present, holding the entire universe in existence, including angels. God is one eternal and glorious act of infinite Being.
I really want to emphasize the love our guardian angels have for us and how much we should love and cherish them. Two personal stories will illustrate. Warm and humorous the first. I was told many years ago to ask my guardian angel for his name (and yes, I realize angels do not have genders). It was during my Army years (1981-1985) at Field Station Augsburg Germany that I really bugged my angel for his name. One evening in prayer I remember discerning a voice saying. “My name is Sam, and I’m your guardian angel.” When I asked why his name was Sam, such an earthly name, he said, “SAM – I am your Surface to Air Messenger between you and the heavens above.” As a military man I immediately caught the wry humor of the acronym SAM! And so, my guardian angel has been Sam, my dear friend and companion with me on this journey ever since!
My final personal story brings us back full circle to the title quote from St. Paul. It was the year 2004 and our International Path to Rome conference was being held in Mesa, Arizona. I was the Master of Ceremonies for these conferences, and my good brother in Christ Tom Creen was the Director/Organizer. We were at our community home on Baseline in Phoenix, and we were hugely busy. We had the custom of feeding the homeless who came to our door, often inviting them in and sharing with them while they ate. Busy, busy, busy we were the day this gentle man knocked at our door. We were in no mood to answer but did so anyway. There were no sandwiches to send him on his way with, so we asked him in and set him down with a hot meal. We agreed to spend 15 minutes each to sit and chat with him, anxious to be getting on with our day.
Finally, Tom and I ended up in the chapel for Perpetual Adoration and were chatting about this unkempt and really smelly dude out in the dining room, wondering when he would leave. Unexpectedly, he came into the Adoration chapel, made a profound bow and after a minute of silence prayed out loud, “Lord, thank you for these brothers for taking time for me. I know they’re really busy. Thank you, Lord, for this food, very filling and tasty (as he demonstrably patted his tummy). Lord, please bless the labors of these brothers.” Then he went silent for a minute. And we both noticed he didn’t stink anymore! He turned and pointed at us saying, “You will dine with angels and not even know it.” He got up quickly and left the chapel. After a brief “What the heck was that all about?”, we went into the main house and there was no one to be seen. Quickly we went to the front and back doors where we had very long open views and we saw no living souls walking away. I still get chills telling the story. “You will dine with angels and not even know it.” God’s blessings on you all my friends!