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Even if you think you’re worshiping angels, says St. Augustine, the only beings that receive your sacrifice are devils. The angels who love God could never accept the honor that belongs only to their Lord.
Some people say they are offering sacrifices to the higher celestial pow- ers, which are not devils, and imagine that the only difference between themselves and us is the name: they call those powers gods, and we call them angels. But the only beings that really present themselves to those people, who are given over to be tossed around by many deceptions, are the devils, who find delight in the errors of humanity—and in a sense are nourished by those errors.
For the holy angels do not approve of any sacrifice except what is offered, according to the teaching of true wisdom and true religion, to the one true God, whom they serve in holy fellowship.
Impious presumption—in people or in angels—demands or desires the hon- ors due to God alone for itself. But pious humility—in people or in angels—de- clines those honors when they are offered, and declares that they only belong to God. And we have some very notable examples of this conspicuously set forth in our sacred books. –St. Augustine, Letter 102
IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
If I’m flattered or honored immoderately, do I remember to follow the holy angels and put the honor where it really belongs?
CLOSING PRAYER
Guardian Angel, keep the love of God always before my mind, and lead me to praise the name of the Lord without boldness or pride.
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