Angels are avenging powers; Angels: Day 128

Although the good angels want nothing more than our salvation, sometimes they must be the instruments of  God’s judgment. St. John Chrysostom  points out that, although God came down to earth himself  to save us, when it is necessary to punish us that work is usually done by the angels.

Let us not be unduly philosophical. Let us show ourselves pitying, that we may be pitied.

There’s nothing like this beautiful trait: to us, nothing so marks the stamp of human nature as showing pity and being kind to our fellow humans. In fact, this is why the laws consign the whole business of punishment to public executioners. They compel the judge to punish so far as to pronounce the sentence, but after that they call on the executioners to perform the act itself.

This is a great truth: though the punishment is just, it is not the part of a generous soul to inflict punishment. It requires another sort of person for this. Even God doesn’t punish by his own hand, but by means of the angels.

Then are they executioners, the angels? God forbid! I’m not saying that. But they are avenging powers. When Sodom was destroyed, the whole thing was done by them as the instruments. When the judgments in Egypt were inflicted, it was through them. –St. John Chrysostom, Homily 43 on the Acts of the Apostles

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Pity is a virtue woven into our nature by God, and it is a reflection of divine mercy. Do I characteristically show this virtue? Do I reflect God’s judgment—as faithfully as the angels do—in my own judgments?

CLOSING PRAYER

Guardian Angel, help me to judge wisely  the things of this earth, so that with you I may enjoy the things of Heaven.

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