Assisted by Angels

April/The Martyr Life

14 April 2010

I invoke your heavenly Kingdom, vast and mighty, filled from centre to edge with holy troops of angels.

  - Oengus mac Oengobann, Feilire Oengusso (Irish, 9th century)

Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away! Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them!

  - Psalm 35.5, 6

Angels are powerful but mysterious beings. Every time one shows up in the Scriptures, people fall on their faces in terror, only to be told, "Don't be afraid." Easy to say! But the angels know something that we either make too little of or simply don't believe: They exist to assist us as we take up the martyr life for Jesus Christ.

Milton wrote in his "Ode on the Morning of Christ's Nativity" that, even at the manger, the angels stood by, a company ready to serve the Infant King's slightest bidding. In Revelation 14.6, 7 angels have something to do with furthering the Gospel of the Kingdom. That "something" is doubtless to be available to us to clear away spiritual forces of wickedness so that our faithful witness to the Lord can penetrate the minds and hearts of those with whom we share.

The Irish martyr/believer studying the east face of the Cross of Muiredach would have pondered, above the head of Christ, a company of angels, ready, waiting, eager to serve the Lord by assisting His martyr/saints. It's no wonder the hagiographical literature of the great saints of Ireland includes many stories of the ways that angels came to aid or encourage those heroes of the faith. They actually believed this, and, as a result, they actually experienced it.

But, really, do we believe this? Do you? Do you really believe that God will send angels alongside, above, beside, ahead of you, so that you can run your martyr course with power and joy? It's true, but we must engage the task of being witnesses for Christ if we will ever know their powerful but mysterious assistance.

No angel will ever come to the aid of a believer who chooses to remain silent about his faith. We don't need any help for that.

Today in ReVision: Dim Eyes

This Week's Download: Be Witnesses  - If you're praying about your daily witness, let me know; this little brochure could help.

The Hidden Life includes helpful exercises for getting closer to the Lord. Go to the website (www.MyParuchia.com), click Publications, then click Waxed Tablet. And while you're there, sign up to join us tomorrow night as we pray for revival.

T. M. Moore, nacurragh@aol.com