1.41 Are there really angels in heaven?
Angels are persons just like human beings, but they have no body. Angels are with God in heaven, and have chosen to stay with him and to serve him. The Bible tells us that angels often act as messengers, for example when the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus (Lk. 1:26) Lk. 1:26: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth., and later his resurrection (Mt. 28:2-6) Mt. 28:2-6: There was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”.
Angels watch over people: you too have a guardian angel, who was commissioned by God to accompany you and look after you (Mt. 18:10 Mt. 18:10: See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.; Ps. 90:11 Ps. 90:11: Who considers the power of thy anger, and thy wrath according to the fear of thee?). The #TwGOD app contains a prayer to your guardian angel and other angels.
What are angels?
Angels are pure spiritual creatures of God who have understanding and will. They have no bodies, cannot die, and are usually not visible. They live constantly in God’s presence and convey God’s will and God’s protection to men.
An angel, wrote Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, is “so to speak the personal thought with which God is turned toward me”. At the same time the angels are turned completely toward their Creator. They burn with love for him and serve him day and night. Their song of praise is never-ending. In Sacred Scripture the angels who have fallen away from God are called devils or demons. [Youcat 54]
In what way are angels present in the life of the Church?
The Church joins with the angels in adoring God, invokes their assistance and commemorates some in her liturgy.
“Beside each believer stands an angel as a protector and shepherd leading him to life.”
(Saint Basil the Great)
[CCCC 61]
Can we interact with angels?
Yes. we can call on angels for help and ask them to intercede with God.
Every person receives from God a guardian angel. It is good and sensible to pray to one’s guardian angel for oneself and for others. Angels can also make themselves noticeable in the life of a Christian, for example, as bearers of a message or as helpful guides. Our faith has nothing to do with the false angels of New Age spirituality and other forms of esotericism. [Youcat 55]
Let our glorying and our confidence be in [God] let us be subject to his Will. Let us consider the whole multitude of angels, how they stand and minister to his Will. [St. Clement of Rome, Letter to the Corinthians, Chap. 34 (MG 1, 276)]
This is the office of angels, to minister to God for our salvation. So that it is an angelical work, to do all for the salvation of the brethren: or rather it is the work of Christ himself, for he indeed saves as Lord, but they as servants. [St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Hebrews, 3:4 (MG 63, 30)]
