Baruch, Chapter 6, Verse 68
Thus is it in no way apparent
to us that they are gods; so do not fear
them.
What are the gods in
your life that you are afraid of. To
reflect on this let us examine the angels of God who worship HE that IS: the living
God.
The first choir of angels is the Seraphim. Their chief characteristic is great and ardent love. They
were made for one thing alone-----to love the God of Love. Without ceasing they
honor, praise, and love the most Blessed Trinity-----they can do nothing
else-----this is their happiness.
©
Are you afraid
of love? Do you fear to commit? Do
you avoid being vulnerable? Do not fear to love!
The
second choir is the Cherubim who
continually are employed in contemplating the beauty and perfections of God.
Cherubim are full of zeal for the glory of God and stand ready at all times to
defend His honor. Cherubim should be invoked when one is troubled with doubts
against faith and those who experience temptations against holy purity.
©
Has the beauty of art, sex, idealism, or science
been your god; are you afraid to let
go and give a fiat to the will of God in your life? Are you afraid to be a fool for God? Have you
given in and worship at the altar of hedonism? Have you been afraid of others opinion of you? Be a
temple for the Holy Spirit!
The third
choir is the choir of Thrones. They
are called Angels of Peace; calm, tranquility, and stability. Ask them for
that peace of soul which is the fruit of a good conscience. Invoke their aid
for such as are prone to hatred, passion and impatience; and after their
example, practice being meek, calm, and peaceful with all.
©
Has competition and fear of being behind been your constant companion? Are you afraid of being last or worse average?
Has efficiency been your god? You should rest in God!
The choir
of Dominations is consumed by their
yearning for the interests of God: their principal office is to manifest His
will. We should also beg of God to manifest His will to us by these Blessed
"Intelligences" and then take care to fulfill it scrupulously, as
being the shortest way to perfection and sanctity. We should ask these Angels
to help us to spread God's kingdom upon earth, for the conversion of heretics
and infidels, and for the return of lukewarm and fallen away Catholics to the
practice of the faith.
©
Has the lack of mastery
over the control of others, or the acquisition of needed skills been your
constant distress? Has the gaining of the things of the material world and its
pursuits left you no time to develop the fear
of God in yourself? Have you sought the god of power or dreaded the loss of it?
Have you worshiped at the altar of materialism? Your zeal should be for the
Kingdom!
The fifth
choir of angels which is the choir of Principalities.
The Principalities watch over Empires, Provinces, and Dioceses. Purity of
intention is the virtue ascribed to them, for in their high functions they
never seek but the honor and interest of God alone.
©
Have you been anxious
about letting all you do and say allow you to seek the greater glory of
God? Have you been troubled by allowing evil to exist in the
workplace? Have you supported the secular world and been complacent in
confronting it? We are all soldiers of Christ!
The sixth
choir of angels is the Powers. These Angels have unlimited
mastery over the wicked Spirits; they are endowed with great intelligence and
are able to discover their schemes and plans for our destruction. Their power
is so incredible that one alone of them would be able to destroy the entire
infernal host. It is well to invoke them in temptation: but to merit their
assistance we must take care to avoid the occasions of sin.
©
Have you been
frightened of the devil? Have you avoided taking action against evil
enterprises? Have you contributed to evil by use of the internet? Listened to
evil inspired music? Been afraid to look uncool? True power is often uncool!
The
seventh choir of angels is the Virtues.
Energy and strength are attributed to the Virtues. They have dominion over the
elements; all nature is subjected to their control. Hence they can raise or
appease the tempest. We may profitably invoke them in unforeseen accidents,
sickness, etc. We may also have recourse to them for that strength necessary to
lead a penitential life, and root out the inclinations of depraved nature. All
persons inclined to the contemplative life should call on this choir of Angels
for help, for good thoughts alone do not make holy, one needs also strength to
persevere and to accomplish this great task.
©
Have you worshipped at
the altar of your natural passions and given into fits of anger, lust and envy?
Have you been afraid of your own
passions? Have you avoided controlling the body and been indulgent? Prayer and
exercise makes us stronger!
The
eighth choir of angels the Archangels. The Archangels are distinguished from
the Angels by the greater importance of their functions: the Guardians of those
invested with authority in the Church and State and are remarkable for their
love and care of men. Let us imitate them, doing our neighbor all the good we
can and invoking in his behalf these Blessed Spirits. Members of this choir are
the holy spirits who stand before the throne of God, ever ready to announce His
commands. St. Michael is the warrior leader of God’s angels. St. Gabriel is the
special messenger of The Holy Spirit. St. Raphael is the angel of Joy.
©
Have you worship
others in authority or been fearful
of them? Have you been apprehensive of your neighbor? Have you relished
quashing others joy? Have you cared less about something you should? Have you feared taking responsibility or
worshipped at the altar of minimalism? We are all called to service of the
Lord!
The Ninth
choir is the angels. They are charged with the execution of the Divine
ordinances, and are appointed the Guardians of men. Humility is the
virtue particularly ascribed to them-----for though the least among the
Choirs, yet they see their celestial companions without desiring their greater,
more excellent endowments. The Guardian Angels exercise continual watchfulness
over the souls committed to their care. Their number is exceedingly great, and
it is not necessary when an Angel has accompanied his charge into Heaven, that
he be again assigned to a soul in any future generation. Our Guardian, who is
our companion in life, will also be forever at our side in Heaven. The joy of
these Angels is immeasurably increased when souls entrusted to their care enter
Heaven. The Guardian Angels of the lost souls are not deprived of their share
of joy. God in His justice increases also theirs with the others, and then
assigns them to the special guard of the Queen of Angels, where they with great
joy praise the Infinite Justice of God. Let us, like the humble Guardian
Angels, love the lowest place, especially when placed therein by Divine
Providence, and to behold with joy the preference given to others.
©
Have you been full of
yourself; had a little egomania? Have you had the opinion that it is my way or
the highway? Have you watched yourself in the mirror? Imagined you are the
center of every love song. Imitate your guardian angel and be a seraph of love
for others and be a guardian of the faith of the church!
Information
was obtained from: http://www.catholictradition.org/Angels/angels.htm
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