We can’t understand all the mysteries of Heaven, Angels: Day 047

We can’t understand all the mysteries of Heaven

On his way to martyrdom, St. Ignatius writes to the Trallians that he could tell them more about Heaven’s mysteries—but  he’s afraid to burden them with too many things they couldn’t understand.

Don’t you think I could write to you about things that are even more mysterious? But I’m afraid to do so. I don’t want to injure you, who are still only babes. Please excuse me here: I’m afraid that you would not be able to understand their weighty meaning, and you would be strangled by them.

I’m bound for Heaven, and can understand heavenly things—the orders of angels, and the different sorts of angels and hosts, the distinctions between Pow- ers and Dominions, and the differences between Thrones and Authorities, the mightiness of the eons, and the preeminence of the Cherubim and Seraphim, the sublimity of the Spirit, the kingdom of the Lord, and above all, the incomparable majesty of Almighty God. But though I’m acquainted with these things, that doesn’t mean I’m anything like perfect. I’m not the disciple that Peter or Paul was. Many things are still lacking in me, not to fall short of God. –St. Ignatius, Trallians 5

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

When there are things in the faith that I can’t understand—like the orders of angels or the difference between a Power and a Dominion—do I have the faith to wait for understanding?

CLOSING PRAYER

Angels of God, though I know I cannot yet fully understand you, I rely on your help in always  leading me toward the incomparable majesty of Almighty God.

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