Angels of the Lord. Catherine Odell

with the beauty of their strangeness, their amazing commitment to our lives and welfare. They knock on our doors to deliver messages of death and birth — of every kind. They are salt when we lose our savor, joy and pain when we’ve forgotten how to feel.”⁴⁸

      “A characteristic of the great saints is their power of levity. Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.”

      — G. K. Chesterton

      What is weighing on you today? What is hampering your angel’s desire to lift you up into the tremendous love of God? May the angels awaken you.

      February 20

      Blesseds Francisco and Jacinta Marto (1908–1919; 1910–1920)

      The Angel of Peace

      In the spring of 1916, an angel appeared to three children, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, and their cousin Lucia Santos. They were tending their family’s sheep near Fatima, Portugal. Lucia described the encounter: “A strong wind began to shake the trees…. And then we saw, in the distance, above the trees, a light whiter than snow in the form of a young man, quite transparent, and as brilliant as crystal in the rays of the sun. As he came near we were able to see his features. We were astonished and absorbed and we said nothing to one another. And then he said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the angel of peace. Pray with me.’” The children didn’t know it yet, but the angel was preparing them for the appearance of the Virgin Mary on May 13, 1917.

       The angel knelt and placed his forehead on the ground. The children did the same, and repeated the words they heard him say: “My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You.” ⁴⁹

      February 21

      Saint Peter Damian (1007–1072)

      Someone Watching Over Us

      There must have been many angels guarding Peter Damian — especially in his early years. Born into a large Catholic family in Ravenna, Italy, Peter was orphaned while still very young. An older brother took Peter in but fed him scraps and treated him like a slave. Another brother, Damian, a priest, intervened, rescued and raised Peter. Damian really cared for Peter. Peter was so grateful. When he grew up, he changed his last name to Damian. Peter Damian became a happy priest, a brilliant teacher, a Benedictine monk, and finally, the cardinal-archbishop of Ostia.

      God sends many people to act as our earth-bound “guardian angels.” Call to mind the people who have lovingly protected and guided you. Pray for them. Thank God for them. Look for ways that you can “be an angel” for others.

      February 22

      Angel “Deniers”

      Not everyone who believes in God believes in angels. Even some modern theologians are angel “deniers.” Blessed John Henry Newman (1801–1890), the leading Roman Catholic theologian of his day in England, regretted that many scholars saw belief in angels as superstitious or medieval nonsense. There was danger, Newman said, in “resting in things seen and forgetting unseen things,” such as angels. A century later, French Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain (1882–1973) echoed Newman. More and more theologians were questioning belief in angels and devils. According to Maritain, these theologians were unknowingly becoming “public relations men of the Old Liar” (Satan).⁵⁰

      “The world of spirits then, though unseen, is present, not future, not distant. It is not above the sky, it is not beyond the grave; it is now and here, the kingdom of God is among us.”

      — Blessed John Henry Newman⁵¹

      February 23

      Saint Polycarp (69–155)

      Surrounded by Angels

      At the beginning and end of his life, angels surrounded Saint Polycarp. Tradition says an angel told Kallista, a Christian woman, to adopt Polycarp when his parents died. A student of Saint John the Evangelist, Polycarp had great pastoral gifts. When he became bishop of Smyrna (in present-day Turkey), the Church grew quickly. Rome hated “the father of all the Christians.” As Roman persecution of Christians increased, Polycarp’s flock hid him. Finally, Polycarp was arrested and sentenced to be burned alive. At first, angels surrounded him, shielding him from the flames. Then, the angels apparently heard the Lord calling Polycarp home. The eighty-six-year-old bishop was stabbed repeatedly as he died a martyr.⁵²

       Before his death, Polycarp prayed, “Lord God Almighty, Father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the knowledge of you.… I give you thanks for judging me worthy of this day, this hour.” ⁵³

      February 24

      Making a Case for Angels

      Though it’s impossible to prove the existence of angels, philosophers say a good case can be made for them. In our universe, there are undeniable hierarchies. In the animal kingdom, human beings are clearly superior to all living animals. Below us are less intelligent species like dolphins or apes, then plants of various kinds. With bodies and rational minds and souls, human beings are obviously higher in the order of living creation. Angels are created beings with greatly superior intellects, but don’t have bodies. If angels didn’t exist, there would be a step missing between God and us. It makes perfect sense that pure spirits bridge the gap between our Creator and us.⁵⁴

      Lord, from your glorious angels to the simplest amoeba, the order and beauty of everything you have created is overwhelming! Help me to see and honor it — and you — every day.

      February 25

      Undercover Angel

      In the Book of Tobit, one of the most delightful books of the Old Testament, a main character is an angel — operating undercover. Raphael, whose name means “God heals,” is sent by God to help Tobit, a faithful Jew who is blind. Posing as a young man, Raphael also frees a young woman, Sarah, from a demon’s influence. With Tobit’s son, Tobiah, Raphael journeys to retrieve family money. At journey’s end, Tobit’s blindness is cured. Tobiah and Sarah are happily married. The Book of Tobit is the only place in Scripture where the Archangel Raphael is mentioned by name.

      “Now when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed, it was I who presented the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord…. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand and serve before the Glory of the Lord.” (Tobit 12:12, 15)

      February 26

      Gabriel Awards

      Each year, the Catholic Academy of Communications Professionals gives the Gabriel Award for excellence in film, television, radio, and social media. Award winners have produced media that entertains but also affirms human dignity and virtue. The award is a silver angel that holds high a globe encircled by electrons. Of course, the award is named for the Archangel Gabriel who carried the most joyful news ever heard on earth. Gabriel came to Nazareth to tell Mary that Jesus, the Son of God, would be born to her.⁵⁵

      Share God-centered, happy news in your world today. The world really needs good news, and you will be collaborating with the Archangel Gabriel.

      February 27

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