The upheaval of incarnation

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Quote

In ancient times it was no small event when Angels appeared to men, and that man should show them reverence was especially praiseworthy. [...] But that an Angel should show reverence to a man was never heard of until the Angel reverently greeted the Blessed Virgin saying: 'Hail.'"
- Saint Thomas of Aquinas, in The Angelic Salutation, translated by Joseph B. Collins, 1939.

Teaching

According to Father Jean-Michel Garrigues, O.P.:

"The Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3,8). The sin of men is rooted in the angels' disobedience, as the devil is "the father of lies" and "the author of sin." Christ Redeemer of men came to defeat the demon, like a new Adam who would triumph over the tempter by his human obedience to God. By doing so, he frees those who believe in him from Satan's slavery, who is "cast out [as the] accuser of our brothers" (Revelation 12,10).

In the original plan of God, the angels were called to serve men, while men themselves were invited to be equal to the angels and even exceed them in grace. 

Then sin occurred, and until the coming of the Redeemer, the angels carried their assignment as if it were a regency, over men now incapable of inheriting the Kingdom: "I mean that as long as the heir is not of age, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything, but he is under the supervision of guardians and administrators until the date set by his father." (Galatians 4, 1-2)

Pagans were subjected to the polytheist cult of celestial beings who regulated their cosmic and social life. These beings assured the providential order of the "nations" under Noah's alliance. This order was precarious and ambiguous at best, because, among the "elements or the world," devils were at work, "principalities, [and] powers, [and] the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens" (Ephesians 6,12).

The Jews were under the Angels' control as well, as the Law was given to the Hebrews thanks to the Angels' mediation: "For if the word announced through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense" (Hebrews 2,2). The angels exercised an enslaving tutelage (cf. Colossians 2, 16-23), and the devil could even use the Law to accuse mankind of sin (cf. Colossians 2, 14-15).

By his victory over their "prince", the Risen Christ chained the demons (Colossians 2,15), and in a more general way, submitted all angels to his lordship: "[He] has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him" (1 Peter 3, 22). Even though Christ's victory will not be complete until his glorious second coming, the Christian, who spiritually sits with Christ in heaven, is armed by the Holy Spirit to fight on earth the spirits of evil: "Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil" (Ephesians 6,11).

Prayer

Hail Mary full of grace,

The Lord is with thee,

Blessed are thou among women,

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb

JESUS.

Holy Mary Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners,

Now and at the hour of our death,

Amen. 

The first sentences of the Ave Maria are the greeting of Archangel Gabriel to Mary, according to the Gospel. 

Community prayer

Angel of God

Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here, Ever this day be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Thank you! 337 people prayed

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. Col 4:6

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Nine days with the angels

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