Angels saw the Son when we did; Angels: Day 168

The angels, says St. John Chrysostom,  did not know the mystery of the Son of God until it was revealed to the Church. This,  as St. Paul says, is a great mystery,  and the beginning of our being made like the angels.

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels,

preached among the nations, believed on in the world,

taken up in glory” (1 Tim. 3:16).

The Church is the pillar of the world. Consider this mystery, and you may be struck with awe: for it is indeed a great mystery, and a mystery of godliness, and that without controversy or question, for it is beyond all doubt. Since in his (Paul’s) directions to the priests he had required nothing like what is found in Leviticus he refers the whole matter to Another, saying, “He was manifested in the flesh.”

The Creator was seen incarnate. “He was vindicated in the Spirit.” As it is said, Wisdom is justified by her children—or, because Christ practiced no guile, as the prophet says, “although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth” (Isa. 53:9). “Seen by angels.” So that angels together with us saw the Son of God, not having before seen him. Great, truly great, was this mystery!

–St. John Chrysostom, Homily 11 on 1 Timothy

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

God gave his revelation to both angels and human beings. Do I recognize their company when I hear God’s word proclaimed?

CLOSING PRAYER

God and Lord of all, let me join my praise to the praise of all creation: the sun, the moon, and all the choir of the stars; earth, sea, and all that is in them; spirits of the just and of prophets; souls of martyrs and of apostles; Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Authorities, and dread Powers; and the many-eyed Cherubim, and the six-winged Seraphim.

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