Watching for the vision; Angels: Day 266

In a verse from the Psalms,  St. Augustine sees a metaphor for the Church on earth and the Church to come. Our whole purpose on earth is to prepare us for that angelic life Christ promised us.

“Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!” (Ps. 9:11).

This is addressed to those whom the Lord does not forsake as they seek him. He dwells in Zion, which means watching, and which is the image of the Church that exists now—as Jerusalem is the image of the Church that is to come: that is, the city of the saints already enjoying the angelic life. For Jerusalem means vision of peace.

Now,  watching comes  before  vision, as this Church goes before the one promised, the immortal and eternal city. But it comes before in time, not in dignity. The more honorable thing is the one we strive toward, not the one we are practicing now. We practice watching now, so that we may get to vision.

But no matter how carefully we watch,  unless God dwells in the Church that exists now, it could fall into all sorts of errors. This is the church to which it was said, “For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are” (1 Cor. 3:17), and, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Eph. 3:17).

So we are told to sing praises to the Lord,  who  dwells in Zion, so that with one accord we will praise the Lord, who dwells in the Church. Show forth his wonders among the heathen. It has been done, and it will never cease being done. –St. Augustine, Exposition on Psalm 9, 12

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Do I recognize that “the angelic life” is the life of the Church on earth, even now? Do I give myself entirely to this life through my participation in the parish?

CLOSING PRAYER

May the glorious name of the Lord be praised and glorified, in Heaven and on Earth, in all things now and forever.

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