Carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom; Angels: Day 327

In Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31),  we hear that angels carried poor Lazarus to “Abraham’s bosom” when he died. Why Abraham? Because, says St. Asterius of Amasea, of all the Old Testament figures Abraham was the one most intimately associated with Christ.

And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.

Angels were his bodyguard, looking upon him gently and mildly, and showing him by the way they treated him the attendance and relief that awaited him. And he was taken and placed in the bosom of the patriarch—a statement that gives ground for doubt to those who like to question minutely the deep things of the Scriptures, for if every just man, when he dies, should be taken to the same place, the bosom would be a great one and expanded to an endless extent, if it were intended to accommodate the whole multitude of the saints. But if this is absolutely impossible, the thought presents itself to us that the material bosom is the symbol of a spiritual truth.

And what does it mean? Abraham, he says, receives those who have lived an upright life. Then tell us, wonderful Luke, why, when there were many just men, even older than Abraham, did you withhold this distinction from his predecessors, passing in silence over Enoch, Noah, and many others who were like these in their way of life?

Abraham was a minister of Christ, and, beyond other men, received what belongs to the revelation of Christ, and the mystery of the Trinity was adequately embodied in the tent of this old man when he entertained the three angels as wayfaring men. In short, after many mystical enigmas, he became the friend of God, the God who, later on, put on flesh and, through the medium of this human veil, openly associated with human beings. This is why Christ says that Abraham’s bosom is a sort of fair haven, and sheltered resting-place for the just. For we all have our salvation and expectation of the life to come, in Christ, who, in his hu- man descent, sprang from the flesh of Abraham. –St. Asterius of Amasea, Sermon 1: The Rich Man and Lazarus

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

When I find something obscure in Scripture, does it make me doubt, or does it make me prayerfully seek, with the angels’ assistance, for the deeper meaning?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, count me worthy to know the meaning of your Word, which you have delivered through the ministry of your angels to all your people.

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