What angels do St. John of Damascus admits that there are many things we can’t know about angels. But Scripture and reason tell us quite a bit. Angels are beings above us, but they are not naturally perfect. Only God is perfect. The good angels can no longer be moved to evil—but that is by God’s grace, not by their own nature. Angels are powerful, and quick to do God’s will. Their nature is so speedy that, as soon as the divine... Read more
This week we have two titles to give away! One lucky winner will receive a copy of Proclaiming the Message of Life: Weekly Reflections from the Lectionary by Father Frank Pavone and sponsored by Servant Books (you can read the review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts NOW and will end 12AM EST Friday 8/19. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
The armies of God The angels are God’s armies, says St. Gregory the Great, because they are at war with the fallen angels. And those of us who free ourselves from earthly concerns join that heavenly army and share the victory with the angels. “Is there any number to his armies? Upon whom does his light not arise?” ( Job 25:3). We rightly call the angelic spirits the armies of God, because we are aware that they are at war against... Read more
Father Frank Pavone is the well-known director for Priests for Life, the largest pro-life organization in the Church today. He brings his message to a new book for both homilists and laity alike. Proclaiming the Message of Life: Weekly Reflections from the Lectionary is a fantastic resource for meditation various pro-life themes. Part One of the book lays the groundwork for what’s ahead. “I wrote these pages to help priests and deacons preach, in truth and compassion, about what the... Read more
Angels never lose the vision of God Angels are limited in place: they cannot be everywhere at once. So when they are sent to us, how do they still behold the face of the Father? St. Gregory the Great answers that they keep the vision of God before them in contemplation. Well, now we’re adding one question to another. When we try to un- tangle the loop, we’re only tying a knot. How can the angels either always be in the presence... Read more
Review by Laura Socks For years TAN Books has carried a great line of historical fiction novels for young readers about some of the greatest saints. The author of this series, Mary Fabyan Wideatt, is well known for her beloved books which help children grow in virtue while reading about the lives of these holy men and women. This year TAN has begun to create companion workbooks to accompany this wonderful book series. The first Windeatt Workbook companion is based... Read more
The angels serve for their own benefit St. Irenaeus indulges in some speculation about the nature of Heaven, and probably most theologians today would dismiss his ideas as metaphorical at best. But there’s an important theological truth in this passage. The angels serve God, not because God needs help, but because it’s good for them to serve. This world is surrounded by seven heavens, in which live angels and arch- angels serving God, the Almighty, Maker of all things—not because he... Read more
Angels derive their honor from worshiping God An angel is a glorious being, says St. Ambrose—but the angel’s glory is reflected, so to speak: it comes from being a servant of the God who is glorious by nature. Let our adversaries now admit that it is proved beyond doubt: the maj- esty of the Father and of the Son is one—especially since the Lord himself has said, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the... Read more
Michael Collopy is one of the preeminent portrait photographers of our time and has gained worldwide recognition for his commissioned portraits of hundreds of public figures. His portfolio includes a vast array of portraits from world leaders such as Pope John Paul ll, Mikhail Gorbachev and 5 U.S. Presidents, to entertainers like Paul McCartney, George Clooney, Salma Hayek and Bono. Collopy also worked with Frank Sinatra for many years. Collopy’s photographs have been published worldwide in numerous books, magazines and... Read more
Angels are unchangeable because they love God The nature of angels is changeable, says St. Gregory the Great. But the good angels are unchangeably good, because they are bound by love to their unchange– able Creator. “Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error; how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth” ( Job 4:18-19). Although the angelic nature remains... Read more
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