Angels ascending and descending; Angels: Day 088

In Jacob’s ladder, with angels ascending and descending, St. Augustine sees an image of the good preacher, who goes up to learn the most exalted truths, and comes down to bring them to the simplest followers of Christ.

What did Jacob see on the ladder? Angels ascending and descending. This, brethren, is what the Church is like. The angels of God are good

preachers, preaching Christ. This is what it means when it says they ascend and descend upon the Son of Man ( John 1:51).

How do they ascend and descend? We have an example in one of them. Hear the Apostle Paul, and when we find it in him, let us also believe it of the other preachers of the truth.

Here is Paul ascending: “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise— whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter” (2 Cor. 12:2-4).

You have heard him ascending. Now hear him descending: “But I, brethren, could not address you as spiritual men, but as men of the flesh, as babes in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food” (1 Cor. 3:1-2).

You see? He ascended, and now he descends. Where did he ascend? To the third heaven! Where did he descend? To giving milk to babes! –St. Augustine, Homily 7 on John, 23

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

Do I give the homily my full attention at Mass, so that the one who preaches—God’s “angel” or messenger—has a chance to lead me up toward Heaven?

CLOSING PRAYER

Guardian angels of all priests and teachers, keep them always mindful of their mission to descend to our understanding and ascend with us to heavenly things.

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