We are forgiven because of the flesh; Angels: Day 106

The  angels who  sinned cannot be forgiven, says  St. Gregory the Great, because—having purely spiritual natures—they don’t have the excuse of the flesh. God is merciful to us because he knows that our nature is combined with an element that drags us down.

The spirits of the angels sinned without forgiveness for this reason: be- cause they might have stood stronger, since no mixture of flesh held them captive. But we were given pardon after sin for this reason: because, having a body of flesh, we have a thing that makes us beneath ourselves.

Thus, in the eye of the Judge, this weakness of the flesh is itself grounds for showing pity—as the psalmist says:

“Yet he, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often, and did not stir up all his wrath. He remem- bered that they were but flesh” (Ps. 78:38-39). –St. Gregory the Great,  Moralia in Job, 9.26

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

God has mercy on us because we are weaker than angels. But what am I doing to build up my spiritual strength?

CLOSING PRAYER

I am weak, Lord, but send me your angels to strengthen me and make me worthy for your service.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.