An army of angels; Angels: Day 230

The Gothic leader Gainas tried to make himself  master of the whole Roman Empire. Constantinople,  the eastern capital, was in serious danger: most of the Roman army was too far away to help. But the barbarians were defeated—and popular opinion insisted that their defeat was due to angelic protection.

The city was accordingly quite inundated by the barbarians, and its residents were reduced to a condition equivalent to that of captives. Moreover, so great was the danger of the city that a comet of prodigious magnitude, reaching from heaven even to the earth, such as was never before seen, gave forewarning of it.

Gainas first most shamelessly attempted to make a seizure of the silver pub- licly offered for sale in the shops: but when the proprietors, advised beforehand by report of his intention, abstained from offering it on their counters, his thoughts were diverted to another object, which was to send an immense body of barbar- ians at night for the purpose of burning down the palace.

Then indeed it appeared distinctly that God had providential care over the city: for a multitude of angels appeared to the rebels, in the form of armed men of gigantic stature, before whom the barbarians, imagining them to be a large army of brave troops, turned away with terror and departed.

When this was reported to Gainas, it seemed to him quite incredible—for he knew that the greatest part of the Roman army was at a distance, dispersed as a garrison over the Eastern cities—and he sent others on the following night and re- peatedly afterwards. Now as they constantly returned with the same statement— for the angels of God always presented themselves in the same form—he came with a great multitude, and at length became himself a spectator of the prodigy. –Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History, 6.6

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

When I’m really afraid of something, do I remember the angels who surround me?

CLOSING PRAYER

Holy angels, who adore God in myriads, defend me from the attacks of the enemy, so that I may praise God with you forever in Heaven.

__________________________________________________________________________________________
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.