Remember where you are, and mind your manners!; Angels: Day 318

When we’re at Mass, St. John Chrysostom reminds us, we’re standing right there with the choirs of angels, singing “Holy,  holy, holy” along with them. Are you singing that heavenly hymn with the same mouth you just used to insult your neighbor?

Think who you’re standing with at the time of the mysteries: with the Cherubim and the Seraphim! The Seraphim are never insulting. No, their mouths have only one duty: to sing the hymn of praise—to glorify God.

How can you sing “Holy, holy, holy” with them if you use your mouth for insults?

Suppose there were a royal vessel, always filled with royal delicacies, and set apart only for that purpose. Now suppose that one of the servants used it for carrying dung. Would he ever again venture to put it away with the other dishes for royal delicacies after it had been filled with dung? Of course not!

That’s what it’s like when you make fun of people or insult them.

“Our Father”—but wait! That’s not all! Listen to the next words: “who art in Heaven.”

The moment you say, “Our Father, who art in Heaven,” that word raises you up. It gives wings to your mind. It reminds you that you do have a Father in Heaven.

Don’t have anything to do with earthly things, then. Don’t talk about them. He has set you among that host above! He has numbered you among the heavenly choir. Why drag yourself down? You’re standing beside the royal throne—and you insult someone! Aren’t you afraid the King will think it’s an outrage?

Even among us, we rebuke a servant if he beats or assaults his fellow servant—even if he has a good reason to do it. We think it’s an outrage.

And yet you, standing with the Cherubim right beside the King’s throne— you insult your brother? –St. John Chrysostom, Homily 14 on Ephesians

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Do I look on my body as a sacred vessel, like the chalice and the paten used at Mass?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, through the ministry of your angels, be always  in my heart and mind and on my lips. Purify me as a vessel of your presence in the world.

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