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Monday, December 19, 2011

Not At All Cuddly

Not At All Cuddly
Today, September 29, is observed by some Christian traditions in the West as Michaelmas [or the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the Feast of the Archangels, or the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels]. One site identifies Michael this way:

.... The name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the war cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against Satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes," and leader of the forces of Heaven in their triumph over the powers of Hell....."Peter Kreeft's blog includes "Angels: The Twelve Most Important Things to Know About Them" [excerpted from his book Angels and Demons: What Do We Really Know about Them?"]:

* They really exist. Not just in our minds, or our myths, or our symbols, or our culture. They are as real as your dog, or your sister, or electricity.
* They're present, right here, right now, right next to you, reading these words with you.
* They're not cute, cuddly, comfortable, chummy, or "cool." They are fearsome and formidable. They are huge. They are warriors.
* They are the real "extra-terrestrials," the real "Super-men," the ultimate aliens. Their powers are far beyond those of all fictional creatures.
* They are more brilliant minds than Einstein.
* They can literally move the heavens and the earth if God permits them.
* There are also evil angels, fallen angels, demons, or devils. These too are not myths. Demon possessions, and exorcisms, are real.
* Angels are aware of you, even though you can't usually see or hear them. But you can communicate with them. You can talk to them without even speaking.
* You really do have your very own "guardian angel". Everybody does.
* Angels often come disguised. "Do not neglect hospitality, for some have entertained angels unawares"-that's a warning from life's oldest and best instruction manual.
* We are on a protected part of a great battlefield between angels and devils, extending to eternity.
* Angels are sentinels standing at the crossroads where life meets death. They work especially at moments of crisis, at the brink of disaster-for bodies, for souls, and for nations..... [more]

Angels by Peter Kreeft