The angels are evangelists too; Angels: Day 166

Origen suggests that, if  we call the Gospel writers evangelists (a Greek word that means “messengers of good news”),  then surely we ought to call the angels evangelists as well, since they were the first who brought the good news.

If there are some people who are honored with the ministry of evange- lists, and if Jesus himself brings news of good things and preaches the Gospel to the poor, surely those messengers who were made spirits by God, those who are a flame of fire, ministers of the Father of all, cannot have been excluded from being evangelists also.

Thus an angel standing over the shepherds made a bright light shine round about them, and said: “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of Da- vid a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

And at a time when there was no knowledge among humanity of the mystery of the Gospel, those who were greater than human and inhabitants of Heaven, the army of God, praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). And having said this, the angels go away from the shepherds into Heaven, leaving us to gather how the joy preached to us through the birth of Jesus Christ is glory in the highest to God; they humbled themselves even to the ground, and then returned to their place of rest, to glorify God in the highest through Jesus Christ.

But the angels also wonder at the peace which is to be brought about on account of Jesus on the earth, that seat of war, on which Lucifer, star of the morning, fell from Heaven, to be warred against and destroyed by Jesus. –Origen, Commentary on John, 1.13

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What am I doing to pass on the message the angels first brought to us?

CLOSING PRAYER

Count me worthy, Lord, to be your angel on earth, and to make known your Word without condemnation.

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