The angel of the Lord driving us on; Angels: Day 235

When misfortunes strike us, says St. Gregory the Great, we’re very likely to despair—a  tendency represented by the bad advice of Job’s wife. But we need to remember that our sufferings can be useful in bringing us back to the right path.

“Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God, and die’” ( Job 2:9).

The wife, with her bad advice, is the carnal thought that prods at the mind. It often happens (as I’ve just said) that we are both harried by blows from outside and worn out by carnal prodding inside.

Thus Jeremiah mourns, saying, “In the street the sword bereaves; in the house it is like death” (Lam. 1:20). “The sword bereaves” when vengeance strikes and stabs at us from the outside; and “in the house it is like death” because we are lashed and yet the conscience is still not clear of the stains of inner temptation.

This David says, “Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of

the Lord driving them on!” (Ps. 35:5). Whoever is caught by the blast of tempta- tion in the heart is lifted up like dust before the wind. And if the strictness of God strikes us in the middle of these blows, what else is it, except that the angel of the Lord is driving us on?

–St. Gregory the Great,  Moralia in Job, 3.62

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

How easily do I give up when misfortune strikes? Do I recognize the angel of God in my misfortunes, driving me on toward Heaven?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, send your angels to strengthen me, so that I may resist evil thoughts even in adversity.

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