“ This is a commentary to The main texts of the Bible and of the Catholic Church through the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)"
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Gen 21, 17-18 God heard the boy's cry
(Gen 21, 17-18) God heard the boy's cry
[17] God heard the boy's cry, and God's messenger called to Hagar from heaven: "What is the matter, Hagar? Don't be afraid; God has heard the boy's cry in this plight of his. [18] Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand; for I will make of him a great nation."
(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 332) Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham's hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples (Cf. Job 38:7 (where angels are called "sons of God"); Gen 3:24; 19; 21:17; 22:11; Acts 7:53; Ex 23:20-23; Judg 13; 6:11-24; Isa 6:6; 1 Kings 19:5). Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself (Cf. Lk 1:11, 26). (CCC 333) From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God "brings the firstborn into the world, he says: 'Let all God's angels worship him'" (Heb 1:6). Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church's praise: "Glory to God in the highest!" (Lk 2:14). They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been (Cf. Mt 1:20; 2:13,19; 4:11; 26:53; Mk 1:13; Lk 22:43; 2 Macc 10:29-30; 11:8). Again, it is the angels who "evangelize" by proclaiming the Good News of Christ's Incarnation and Resurrection (Cf. Lk 2:8-14; Mk 16:5-7). They will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgement. (Cf. Acts 1:10-11; Mt 13:41; 24:31; Lk 12:8-9). (CCC 334) In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels (Cf. Acts 5:18-20; 8:26-29; 10:3-8; 12:6-11; 27:23-25).
Commentary to the main texts of the Catholic Church through the "CCC" CCC
Dear Visitors and Readers,
We have completed the commentaries of the “Cathechism of the Catholic Church” to “Youcat English: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church” and to all the other documents of the Catholic Church posted on this blog since 2007. You can always find them on this blog. They are the following:
“New Testament” commented through the Cathechism of the Catholic Church.
“Old Testament” (chosen Pages) commented through the Cathechism of the Catholic Church.
“Compendium of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church” commented through the Cathechism of the Catholic Church.
The four Gospels commented through the “Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church” and Encyclical Letter "Caritas In Veritate".
Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World: “Gaudium et Spes” commented through the Cathechism of the Catholic Church.
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: “Lumen Gentium” commented through the Cathechism of the Catholic Church.
Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation: “Dei Verbum” commented through the Cathechism of the Catholic Church.
“Youcat English: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church” commented through the Cathechism of the Catholic Church.
We thank You for your kind attention and we wish you always an useful and pleasant reading. God bless You.
Gualberto Gismondi ofm.
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