My Friends,
Readings from Revelations 12 v 7 & St Matthew 18 v 1
What do angels really look like ? We read about angels interacting with human beings through the Scriptures. The word angel comes from the Greek word "angelos" = Messenger. Angels bring us messages from God. In the Book of Genesis they appear as three weary travellers who stop and have lunch with Abraham and Sarah. They bring them a message of hope.. God has heard them ... even in their old age they are going to have a baby.
Isaiah writes about his wonderful vision of heaven, which we hope to experience for ourselves some day. He sees angels singing“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.” We sing that too.When Gabriel brought the news to Mary she was pregnant, he first had to tell her to calm
down and to not be afraid. The sudden appearance of angels must be startling...for Gabriel to have said that to Mary.Luke tells us when Jesus was born angels brought the message to shepherds and sang“Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth,peace and goodwill to all people…” We sing that too.
Hosanna in the highest.” We sing that too.When Gabriel brought the news to Mary she was pregnant, he first had to tell her to calm
down and to not be afraid. The sudden appearance of angels must be startling...for Gabriel to have said that to Mary.Luke tells us when Jesus was born angels brought the message to shepherds and sang“Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth,peace and goodwill to all people…” We sing that too.
And in Matthew, Jesus gives a stern warning to anyone who might do harm to a child, orthrough deliberate mean-spirited words or
actions cause someone to lose their Faith…or leave the Church.
actions cause someone to lose their Faith…or leave the Church.
On this Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels…Michaelmas…we celebrate God’s gift of angels who bring us messages of hope and who protect us. Many icons depict Michael the Archangel…in full battle gear…sword in hand…ready to fight on our behalf.And it is Michael’s name a priest invokes when he blesses a house.
What do angels look like? They can and do take any form God wishes for them to carryout the missions he assigns them. They might even look like the next person we meet. They might be the person who was especially kind or helpful to us. They might be the person who brought us a message that renewed our hope and trust in God and our love for others.
Fr Ed Bakker
We too are messengers of hope. That is something we should remind ourselves of…each time we look in the mirror.
Father Ed Bakker,
Anglican Catholic Church/ Original Province,
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne,
Launceston,
Tasmania
Australia
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