Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Mt 18, 10-11 Look upon the face of my heavenly Father

(Mt 18, 10-11) Look upon the face of my heavenly Father
[10] "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. [11].
(CCC 328) The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition. (CCC 329) St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit', from what they do, 'angel'" (St. Augustine, En. in Ps. 103, 1, 15: PL 37, 1348). With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word" (Mt 18:10; Ps 103:20). (CCC 330) As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendour of their glory bears witness (Cf. Pius XII, Humani generis: DS 3891; Lk 20:36; Dan 10:9-12).

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