Sleep with your head on a stone; Angels: Day 086

Sleep with your head on a stone

Jacob lay with his head on a stone, says St. Gregory the Great—and he saw angels (Gen. 28:11-22).  The stone is Christ, and if  we keep Christ in our thoughts, we will know wonderful truths even in our sleep.

We certainly should observe here that someone who lays his head on a stone is someone who sees angels in his sleep. Surely it is because whoever tries to imitate our Redeemer with all his mind—which is our ruling principle—pen- etrates inner truths by resting from outer works. To lay your head on a stone is to stick to Christ in your mind.

On the other hand, some may withdraw from the business of this world, but have no love to carry them upward. They may sleep, but they never can see the angels, because they scorn to keep their heads on a stone. There are some who run away from the business of this world, but never exercise any of the virtues. These people sleep because they’re groggy, but not from any serious intention. They nev- er see those inner truths, because they lay their heads on the earth, not on a stone. And it often happens to them that, the more they rest from outward actions, the more they gather from their idleness a plentiful cacophony of impure thoughts. –St. Gregory the Great,  Moralia in Job, 5.55

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What is the last thing in my thoughts before I drift off to sleep? Is my mind fit for visions of angels?

CLOSING PRAYER

Guardian Angel, be with me all through the night, and guide my inmost thoughts, so that the Lord may grant me rest and peace all the days of this life.

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