Angels of the Lord. Catherine Odell

      March 28

      C. S. Lewis and the Angels

      The author of The Chronicles of Narnia and other books on Christianity never doubted the existence of angels — or devils. During World War II, C. S. Lewis (1898–1963), a Cambridge University professor, wanted to lift the spirits of his war-weary countrymen. So, Lewis wrote The Screwtape Letters, a hilarious series of letters from a senior devil named Screwtape. Screwtape instructs his bumbling nephew, Wormwood, on strategies to tempt a man and lead him to hell. Wormwood learns to encourage his client’s vices, murmuring little words of discouragement and promoting his selfishness. English readers chuckled, but they got Lewis’s point. The battle between good and evil is real, relentless, and all around us.⁸²

      “I believe in angels, and I believe that some of these, by the abuse of their free will, have become enemies to God, and as a corollary, to us. These, we may call devils. They do not differ in nature from good angels, but their nature is depraved.”

      — C. S. Lewis, Preface, The Screwtape Letters

      March 29

      Angels Shadowing Us

      Saint Augustine taught that angels are always nearby. They’re a bit like our shadows, connected to us on the ground. Whether we are in a sunny place in our lives or a cloudy one, they never leave us. Augustine said, “The angels go in and out with us, having their eyes always fixed upon us and upon all that we are doing. If we stop anywhere, they stop also; if we go forth to walk, they bear us company; if we journey into another country, they follow us; go where we will, by land or by sea, they are ever with us all day long and all night long, and during every moment of our life.”⁸³

      “Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your Angels and Saints charge over those who sleep.”

      — Night Prayer of Saint Augustine (see the complete prayer in the appendix, page 378)

      March 30

      Bodyguard in the Forest

      One winter evening in the 1940s, a German minister was walking back to his village alone. When he reached a forested area in Bavaria, an unexplainable dread filled him. He prayed and a deep peace quickly replaced his fear. That night, in a dream, he saw his battered body on the forest floor. A voice said, “That’s what you would look like if I hadn’t protected you.” Months later, the minister learned that some young men had planned to kill him that night. They hated him because his Bible classes were influencing their girlfriends. The men insisted that a bodyguard suddenly appeared and walked on the minister’s right all through the forest. Then, the protector vanished.⁸⁴

      Psalm 34:8 assures us, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he saves them.” Pray for an angel at your shoulder when fear of any kind fills you with dread.

      March 31

      Angels Spreading the Gospel

      After the first Pentecost, the Church received angelic help to spread the Gospel. One instance of angels on the job is about an Apostle and an Ethiopian Jew. On his way home from Jerusalem, the Ethiopian was puzzling over a reading from Isaiah. At the same moment, an angel spoke to the Apostle Philip who was nearby. The angel told Philip, “Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route.” So, Philip set out and caught up with the Ethiopian’s carriage (Acts 8:26–27). Riding along in the carriage, Philip talked about Jesus. The prophecies of Isaiah, he said, were about Jesus. Convinced, the Ethiopian stopped the carriage when they came to some water and was baptized.

      Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with everlasting good news to announce to those who dwell on earth, to every nation, tribe, and people. (Revelation 14:6)

      Like Philip and the angels, you too can carry the Gospel’s Good News to the world around you.

      April 1

      The Angel of Righteousness

      The Shepherd of Hermas, a second-century Christian writer, described a vision of a man with two angels — an angel of righteousness and an angel of iniquity. The man asks the Shepherd, “How, sir, am I to know the powers of these, for both angels dwell with me?” “Hear,” said the Shepherd, “and understand them. The angel of righteousness is gentle and modest, meek and peaceful. When, therefore, he ascends into your heart, immediately he talks to you of righteousness, purity, chastity, contentment, and of every righteous deed and glorious virtue. These are the deeds of the angel of righteousness. Trust him and his works.”⁸⁵

      Today, take time to meditate on the Shepherd’s advice: When you trust the angel of righteousness, and do his works, you live in God. Furthermore, if you refuse to do the works of the angel of iniquity, you will live in God.

      April 2

      The Angel of Repentance

      The Shepherd of Hermas used a common image of wine jugs to warn Christians about the devil. As this ancient story goes, a man filled good wine jars with good wine, but left a few jars empty. Later, he didn’t look at the full jars because he knew they were full. But he did look at the empty jars because he feared they had become sour. If they become sour, they can’t be used for good wine. Similarly, the Shepherd explained, the devil goes to the servants of God to try them. Those who are full of faith can resist him. So, he withdraws, having no way to enter them. Then the devil goes and enters the empty jars. He produces whatever he wishes in them, and they become his servants.

       But I, the angel of repentance, say to you, “Fear not the devil; for I was sent to be with you who repent with all your heart, and to make you strong in faith. Trust God, then.” ⁸⁶

      April 3

      An Angel of Consolation

      It is easy to read familiar Scripture stories quickly and superficially. Instead, take a deep breath and then read this familiar story slowly, letting each word live within you: After eating the Passover Meal together, Jesus and his disciples went out, as they often did, to an olive grove called Gethsemane. There, knowing what was going to happen that same evening, Jesus told them to pray that they would not be tested beyond their limit. Jesus himself then withdrew about a stone’s throw from them and, falling to his knees on the rocky ground, opened his heart to his heavenly Father. “Do not have me drink this cup of suffering,” he prayed, “yet, not my will but yours be done.” He was in such agony and his prayer was so intense that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. And his Father, with infinite love, sent a consoling angel to strengthen him in his passion and death. (Based on Luke 22:39–44.)

      Father, it is not possible for me to imagine the tremendous love that compelled Jesus to accept the cross for our sake. It is even harder to fathom the love required to sacrifice your only Son to atone for our sins. Strengthen my faith in your boundless love.

      April 4

      Saint Isidore of Seville (c. 560–636)

      The Essence of Angels