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I. THE ANGELS
Christ "with all his angels"
331 Christ is the center of the angelic world.
They are his angels: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all
the angels with him...." They belong to him because they were created
through and for him: "for in him all things were created in
heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or
principalities or authorities — all things were created through him and for
him." They belong to him still more because he has made them messengers of his
saving plan: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the
sake of those who are to obtain salvation?"
332 Angels have been present since creation and
throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near
and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: they closed the earthly
paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham's hand;
communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births
and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples. Finally,
the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus
himself.
333 From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the
life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels.
When God "brings the firstborn into the world, he says: 'Let all God's angels
worship him.'" Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased
resounding in the Church's praise: "Glory to God in the highest!" They protect
Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in
the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies
as Israel had been. Again, it is the angels who "evangelize" by proclaiming the
Good News of Christ's Incarnation and Resurrection. They will be present at
Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgement.
The angels in the life of the
Church
334 In the meantime, the whole life of the Church
benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.
335 In her liturgy, the Church joins with the
angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the
funeral liturgy's In Paradisum deducant te angeli...["May the angels
lead you into Paradise..."]). Moreover, in the "Cherubic Hymn" of the Byzantine
Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain angels more particularly (St.
Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the guardian angels).
336 From its
beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and
intercession. "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd
leading him to life." Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith
in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.
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