Why do we believe in Angels?
Are there angels? Who are they? Does
the Bible speak of them? These were the
questions tormenting Teresa as she was in the
course of preparing for her daughter’s first
communion. The girl’s text books as well as
her teachers repeatedly talked about holy
angels. Teresa herself did not have a clear idea
of angels and was too embarrassed to ask. Then
came the feast of the Archangels on September
29 and it became an opportunity for Teresa to
listen to the pastor’s homily more diligently.
The Old Testament Book of Tobit
speaks of the Archangel Raphael. He tells the
couple Tobit and Sarah “When you … prayed,
it was I who presented and read the record of
your prayer before the glory of the Lord” (Tb
12:12). It is Archangel Gabriel who announces
the incarnation of the Son of God to the
Blessed Virgin Mary. He also appears to
Joseph in a dream (Lk 1:26-38). Michael the
Archangel is mentioned in the Book of Daniel
(Dn 10:21) as well as the Book of Revelation
(Rv 12:7). These three are the only angels
mentioned by name in the Bible. Then there are
the Guardian angels who stand as protectors
and guards for believers. The belief in heavenly
beings like angels runs through the entire Bible.
‘Archangel’ is the designation of a group of
them (1Thes 4:16).
The word ‘angel’ comes from the Greek
translation of the Hebrew word for
‘messenger.’ Angels are spiritual beings
created by God, endowed with intelligence and
freedom, glorifying God and serving Him as
messengers. Church tradition has held that
there are three sections of angels. Each section
is further subdivided into three subsections.
Since the time of St. Gregory the Great “the
nine choirs” of angels are frequently talked
about in the Church. The names assigned to
these nine groups are also Biblical: angels,
powers, and virtues (1Pt 3:22), principalities,
dominions (Eph 1:21), thrones (Col 1:16),
archangels (1Thes 4:16), cherubim (Gen 3:24)
and seraphim (Is 6:2). Demons are thought to
be angels who rejected God and his reign, thus
falling into disgrace, often called ‘fallen
angels.’
For Teresa the basic information given
by Fr Jim was indeed helpful; but it whetted her
appetite for more. Why are they sometimes,
called “saints?” Can they intercede for us? Is it
proper to pray to them? After Eucharist that
day she approached Fr Jim with more questions
and he was patient with her in spite of his busy
schedule, in answering her questions.
The word ‘saints’ refers to ‘the holy
ones’ or those outstanding in holiness. The
angels who cry out “Holy, holy, holy is the
Lord of hosts!” (Is 6:3) in God’s presence are
themselves holy. The designation ‘saint’ will
therefore fit them well. However, the modern
restricted understanding of the term designating
a human person who has successfully
completed the process of canonization in the
Church, does not fit the angels. It is by an
extension of the general meaning of the word
that we refer to the angels as ‘saints.’ Some
Church documents put them side by side,
‘angels and saints.’
Can they help us? Angels are not
human but spiritual beings. But like us they are
intelligent creatures with free will. The
scriptures tell us that they come to our aid (Ex
33.2; Gen 19:15; Lk22: 43). Throughout the
Bible we see them as helpers and protectors to
human beings. In their privileged position of
ministering in the presence of God they can
help us by interceding for us. Angels are
portrayed in the Bible as presenting our prayers
before the glory of God (Tb 12:12). That is the
rationale for encouraging intercessory prayers
to the angels. The Catechism of the Catholic
Church notes: “From infancy to death human
life is surrounded by their watchful care and
intercession. Beside each believer stands an
angel as protector and shepherd leading him to
life” (#336).
Teresa remembered the familiar prayer
beginning “St Michael the Archangel, defend
us in battle …” She also found a prayer card
with a short invocation to the Guardian angel.
Fr Xavier Thelakkatt