{"id":5459,"date":"2016-07-31T03:30:18","date_gmt":"2016-07-31T08:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicbookblogger\/?p=5459"},"modified":"2016-07-18T18:38:39","modified_gmt":"2016-07-18T23:38:39","slug":"how-the-bible-describes-angels-angels-day-010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicbookblogger\/2016\/07\/31\/how-the-bible-describes-angels-angels-day-010\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Bible describes angels; Angels: Day 010"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"angels_dionysius\"<\/a>How the Bible describes angels<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scripture, says Dionysius the Areopagite, uses symbolic imagery (in Ezekiel <\/em>1,\u00a0<\/em>f<\/em>or example) to describe the lives of the heavenly beings. They <\/em>d<\/em>on<\/em>\u2019<\/em>t<\/em> have <\/em>a<\/em>ctua<\/em>l\u00a0<\/em>wheels, but the symbolic image fits their actual behavior and <\/em>e<\/em>xist<\/em>ence<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n

But why does it talk about rivers<\/em>? And \u00a0why \u00a0are wheels <\/em>and chariots <\/em>attached\u00a0to the heavenly beings?<\/p>\n

The rivers of fire represent the ceaselessly flowing streams from God that nourish the productive powers of life. The chariots represent the communion of those who are joined together in the same rank. The wheels, which are winged and move without turning or deviation, represent the power of the heavenly be- ings to go forward in a straight and direct path.<\/p>\n

But why does it say that the heavenly orders \u201crejoice\u201d? For they are com- pletely incapable of our impassioned pleasure.<\/p>\n

They are said to rejoice with God when what was lost is found. This fits their divine good nature, their Godlike and ungrudging rejoicing over the care and sal- vation of those who are turned to God. It is like that joy beyond description that holy men often share while the deifying enlightenment from God is upon them.<\/p>\n

\u2013Dionysius the Areopagite, The Celestial Hierarchy<\/em>, 15.9<\/p>\n

IN GOD\u2019S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .<\/strong><\/p>\n

Am I ungrudgingly joyous, like the good angels, when someone else gains some great benefit? Or am I more inclined to envy?<\/p>\n

CLOSING PRAYER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Search my conscience, Lord, and purify me from envy and every other impure thought, <\/em>a<\/em>nd <\/em>make me worthy of the company of your heavenly <\/em>h<\/em>ost.<\/em><\/p>\n

______________________________________________________________________________
\nRemember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.
\n