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| " ANGELS "; (Blessed John Henry Newman) | |
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| Topic Started: Friday, 1. October 2010, 13:14 (92 Views) | |
| PJD | Friday, 1. October 2010, 13:14 Post #1 |
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As we have just had John Henry Newman confirmed as 'Blessed', and also just had the feast of the Archangels, itmight be of interest to some here to read Newmans 'Notes' - scribblings? PJD September 2 (Fourteenth Pentecost) [The Holy Angels—I] 1. INTROD.—This month leads us to think of the holy angels. It is a far larger subject than I can get through this evening. There are two points of view in which they are to be considered—in nature, and in grace. And this evening I will speak of what they are in their nature. {162} 2. God created them in the beginning of all things, with all other things which He created. When He created the heavens He created them, and He created them in the heavens. Here is the vast difference from earth; for man was created on earth, in order that in time he might attain to the heavens. 3. Simple spirits—hence no form—angels with wings. Mere appearances—as in the Holy Eucharist. 4. No shackle of body. We too are spirits, but in bodies (bodies part of us, disembodied saints desire their bodies). Hence we are sluggish, passionate, etc. Hence we sleep, not they. We cannot move about quickly; they in the twinkling of an eye from heaven to earth. 5. Most perfect of creatures—the image of God's attributes. 6. Their knowledge most comprehensive. They do not learn, they do not discover, but at once from their nature they know intuitively all things of the world; whereas the greatest philosophers with pains only knew a little. 7. They know God and His attributes by nature, even without grace. They understand His attributes, etc. They see God in all things, never being seduced by the creature, as separate from Him. 8. They have a natural love of God, from the perfection of their reason. They love Him above all things. 9. They love each other—and each order of angels, in its own degree, fittingly. 10. Three points which they have not by nature: (1) knowledge of the future; (2) of the heart; (3) of the mysteries of grace. {163} CONCLUSION.—Many wonderful things in this world, but an angel more wonderful than all. If a creature so wonderful, what the Creator? September 9 (Fifteenth Pentecost) The Holy Angels—II 1. INTROD.—Recapitulate. The Creator might make ten thousand worlds, each more perfect than the preceding, all more perfect than this. We know of but one besides this—the universe of angels. This may be otherwise. The angelic world differs from this, in that each part is perfect and independent of any other part. 2. Differences, but they all excel in two things naturally—(1) strength, (2) purity. 3. Purity—'As the angels' [Note 11]—no bodies. Strength—Exod. xii. [Note 12]; 2 Kings xxiv. [Note 13]; 4 Kings xix. [Note 14]. Their voice—Apoc. x. [3] [Note 15]; 1 Thess. iv. [16] [Note 16]. Number—count the lowest—everywhere guardian angels—one to every man, though at one time a thousand millions of men. 4. Their differences. Some think no two [are] {164} alike, but differ specifically, as eagle, dove and nightingale. Indeed, it is difficult, as I have ever thought, to consider pure spirits other than specifically distinct, because since no parts or whole in the angelic world, there are no logical laws in it (except virtue). But, leaving this question, [there are] nine orders in three hierarchies—(enumerate) [Note 17]. 5. Such by nature, now by grace. From the first instant of creation endowed with grace—habitual—faith, hope, charity. Knowledge of Holy Trinity, etc. 6. All of them holy, but in proportion to their nature. All have all virtues, but each order rises, having not only all virtues in greater perfection, but a characteristic virtue. 7. (1) Angels—contentment; (2) archangels—imitation of the perfection of all the other orders—absence of all pride and rivalry; (3) principalities—simplicity of intention. 8. (4) Powers—tenderness and sweetness; (5) virtues—courage; (6) dominations—zeal. 9. (7) Thrones—submission and resignation; (8) cherubim—knowledge; (9) seraphim—love. 10. Honour due to the angels, Exod. xxiii., Josh. v., Judges vi., xiii., Daniel x. Explain Apoc. xix. 10, that St. John was so great that he was not to adore. 11. Let us honour them in the best way, but imitating, like the archangels, the virtues of each order. {165} September 16 (Sixteenth Pentecost) The [Holy] Angels—III 1. INTROD.—Recapitulate. 2. The angels were all created perfect and gifted with supernatural holiness. Even Lucifer, etc. 3. They were first of all put on their trial. They did not see the face of God. 4. The time of this trial—no natural term like death—shorter than men['s] because of their spiritual nature, as it was so penetrating, etc., might stand or fall for good in a short time. (Why not in an instant?) 5. Who fell? [Some] out of all the orders. Lucifer a seraph. 6. The numbers. Some think a third—Apoc. xii. [4]. 7. The sin of the angels, one and the same in all, from imitation. Lucifer led them. 8. What [was] the sin? All [sins] in one doubtless, but especially pride. What kind of pride? Obstinacy, ambition, disobedience, arrogance?—all doubtless, but especially and initially reliance [on] and contentment in natural gifts, with despising supernatural. 9. Additions to this pride (1) a sort of sensual love of self; (2) presumption, ambition, hatred of God; (3) jealousy of man who was to be created. 10. Battle in heaven. (Michael—'Who as God?') Each party trying to convert the other to its own side. 11. Cast into hell—fire in their spirit—though they are now out of it [till the day of judgment]. {166} 12. Allusion to matters going on in Italy. Good and bad not so keenly divided as in angels, but still it is the devil against Michael. September 30 (Eighteenth Pentecost) The Holy Angels—[IV] 1. INTROD.—About guardian angel. 2. The different works of angels. The word [angelos] denotes work and service. 3. What orders of angels have to do with this universe? The lowest, i.e. the angels, are the ministers. Mundane or exterior, and heavenly or domestic works. Extraordinary missions—the cherubim of Eden [Gen. iii. 24]—the seraph [in] Isaias [vi. 6, purifying the prophet's lips with living coal from the altar]—Gabriel and Mary [the Annunciation]. One [angel] making charge over to another to execute. 4. First work—'rolling the heavens' [Note 18] [i.e. directing the movements of the heavenly bodies]—science need not [be supposed to have] superseded this—see my sermon, Parochial, etc., vol. ii. [The Powers of Nature. Feast of St. Michael, etc.]—John v. [Pool of Bethsaida]. 5. Second work—guardians of nations, provinces, cities, bishopricks, churches. 'Let us depart hence.' 6. Of individuals. Every one from the time of the soul's creation to death. And every one. Judas, Antichrist. {167} 7. St. Frances of Rome. 8. (1) Odiousness of the charge, e.g. St. Paul linked to a soldier; (2) condescension, etc.; (3) encouragement to us, and comfort. September 11 De Angelis—III 1. Angels the first work of God. 2. Different from the human race, as created all at once; not from a pair—myriads—almost an infinite number like the stars; nine ranks, yet there may be more unknown. 3. Immaterial—their appearing in human form—Raphael in [book of] Tobias. 4. Incorruptible; immortal in their nature. 5. Their knowledge; perfect from the first, not learning by discursus, first one thing, then another; knowing a thing wholly at once. They do not know the future—nor men's hearts, except from divine revelation. God alone knows these—(bad angels tempt by objecting evil or exciting the thoughts). 6. Created in grace. And first, What is grace?—something beyond nature. Nothing can love God {293} really and know Him, and attain to heaven, without a gift beyond itself. 7. The fall of the angels—pride—as sin of thought, for it was all the sin they could fall into, being spiritual natures. Pride is relying on oneself for happiness, not on God's grace; envy would follow, viz. against men. Their naturalia remanserunt integra—they lost (1) supernatural beatitude, intuitive vision of God [Note 4]; (2) justice and grace; (3) their intellect darkened, and their will confirmed in evil. 8. They range the earth and dwell in the air. 9. They do not properly possess the mind of the possessed except indirectly, by raising fantasies, etc. Of sinners and unbaptized, the soul is not possessed but ruled; hence even innocent persons are sometimes possessed. 10. Good angels were confirmed in grace. 11. Guardian angels for the faithful, and perhaps for the infideles et reprobati. |
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| Rose of York | Friday, 1. October 2010, 14:03 Post #2 |
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Three questions: Why did God make angels? He had managed perfectly well without them. Is it impossible for an angel, NOW, to rebel? God made angels, he had created beings he could love. He then made humans and everything we needed to sustain our bodies. Why did he make both? If we had no bodies there would have been no need to create planets, animals, minerals or vegetables. Being cheeky now, God made us so we could look after his dogs.
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| PJD | Friday, 1. October 2010, 15:57 Post #3 |
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Rebel? If you go back to Gerry's post on Immortality; surely the Angels possess affection for one another. And in that sense you do not rebel normally against love. Just a guess. Why should we have all the choices and joys with one another in Heaven - deny such to the Angels? PJD |
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| Rose of York | Saturday, 2. October 2010, 01:22 Post #4 |
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Independent Catholic News sent me, by email, an interesting piece about angels.
Now we have the answer, when we are asked if there is scriptural authority for the Church's teaching that we have Guardian angels. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Derekap | Monday, 4. October 2010, 12:07 Post #5 |
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A point made Fr Robert Reed (of Boston Catholic TV) in his homily during His Holy Mass on Saturday was that: We are made in God's Image and Likeness, Angels are Spirits. They do not have the privilege of receiving Jesus Christ's Body and Blood during Holy Mass. Guardian Angels are of course messengers and protectors and guide us but we are more important. I am unable to discuss this statement and I hope I am quoting Fr Reed correctly. Perhaps Deacon Robert can throw more light on this. (His Holy Mass is dated 2 October 2010 and usually available for a few days) |
| Derekap | |
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7:53 PM Jul 11