Angels Among Us
Stories
LECTIONARY TALES FOR THE PULPIT
Series III, Cycle A
Books and magazines are filled with people's encounters with "angels": people who give selflessly, people who practice random acts of kindness, people who give without wanting or expecting anything in return. There is no doubt that there are angels among us. Almost everyone has a story about something a person has done for him or her without motive, through kindness and grace. But not many people can say they have been visited by an angelic being, as is the biblical account of Joseph's visit from the angel.
In ancient times, angels were considered to be supernatural, spiritual messengers or beings who did God's will on earth. Angels were a promised form of communication with God. Angels came to speak to people in the Bible; they had a specific message for the person. It could be counsel, clarification, or a divine warning. Joseph's angel came to give clarity to the situation of Mary's pregnancy. Sometimes an angel's message was one of pure joy, as when the shepherds saw a group of angels singing in jubilant chorus to announce the arrival of the baby Jesus (Luke 2:13--14). Sometimes the message was foreboding, and the angel would give a warning, as in the case of Joseph having to flee Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:13). Sometimes they were helpful, as when an angel protected the fleeing Israelites by placing a pillar of clouds between them and the Egyptians (Exodus 14:19--20). One angel slaughtered 185,000 Assyrians for trying to attack Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35).
The outward appearance of angels is hardly given notice. It was their function that was of importance in the Scriptures. They were usually recognized immediately, either as being perceived as God or as being clothed in garments that made them seem heavenly, such as a white robe, or a being bathed in bright light.
In contrast, appearance is of major importance in the modern world. Today's versions of angels are little knickknacks that sit on a shelf, or little pins that sit on our shoulders, or even statues to whom people bring flowers. We tend to adore these little interpretations of angels. We have cute poems and easily call people - family and friends alike - "angels." Angelic beings come in every ethnic color, every pose conceivable, and every dress imaginable and are made of every material imaginable: plastic, ceramic, porcelain, and so on.
Angels are considered a reminder of things dear and sweet. My son has a little angel ornament dressed in a hockey uniform that we hang on our Christmas tree. There are even angels dressed in ballerina tutus and aprons and chef's hats. An angel adorns our wall, holding a watering can and spade, wearing a wide--brimmed hat. She wears gardening gloves and wears a little sign that says "gardening angel." A little magnet on my refrigerator reads: "God in His love often sends His gift of angels - we call them 'friends.' "
Angels are definitely among us. We know that when we use a much broader definition of "angel": a nurse who sits with us in the recovery room, making sure we are okay after major surgery; a feeling that overcomes us and causes us to stop on the side of the road which in turn saves our lives as we watch a tire blow out; a neighbor who will sit for hours making silk flower pieces for a wedding because the florist's order is mistakenly canceled; a sixth sense, if you will, not to trust something that turns out to be evil and sinister. Divine messages come in many forms.
Angels come in many forms. Have you ever been considered an angel?
In ancient times, angels were considered to be supernatural, spiritual messengers or beings who did God's will on earth. Angels were a promised form of communication with God. Angels came to speak to people in the Bible; they had a specific message for the person. It could be counsel, clarification, or a divine warning. Joseph's angel came to give clarity to the situation of Mary's pregnancy. Sometimes an angel's message was one of pure joy, as when the shepherds saw a group of angels singing in jubilant chorus to announce the arrival of the baby Jesus (Luke 2:13--14). Sometimes the message was foreboding, and the angel would give a warning, as in the case of Joseph having to flee Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:13). Sometimes they were helpful, as when an angel protected the fleeing Israelites by placing a pillar of clouds between them and the Egyptians (Exodus 14:19--20). One angel slaughtered 185,000 Assyrians for trying to attack Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35).
The outward appearance of angels is hardly given notice. It was their function that was of importance in the Scriptures. They were usually recognized immediately, either as being perceived as God or as being clothed in garments that made them seem heavenly, such as a white robe, or a being bathed in bright light.
In contrast, appearance is of major importance in the modern world. Today's versions of angels are little knickknacks that sit on a shelf, or little pins that sit on our shoulders, or even statues to whom people bring flowers. We tend to adore these little interpretations of angels. We have cute poems and easily call people - family and friends alike - "angels." Angelic beings come in every ethnic color, every pose conceivable, and every dress imaginable and are made of every material imaginable: plastic, ceramic, porcelain, and so on.
Angels are considered a reminder of things dear and sweet. My son has a little angel ornament dressed in a hockey uniform that we hang on our Christmas tree. There are even angels dressed in ballerina tutus and aprons and chef's hats. An angel adorns our wall, holding a watering can and spade, wearing a wide--brimmed hat. She wears gardening gloves and wears a little sign that says "gardening angel." A little magnet on my refrigerator reads: "God in His love often sends His gift of angels - we call them 'friends.' "
Angels are definitely among us. We know that when we use a much broader definition of "angel": a nurse who sits with us in the recovery room, making sure we are okay after major surgery; a feeling that overcomes us and causes us to stop on the side of the road which in turn saves our lives as we watch a tire blow out; a neighbor who will sit for hours making silk flower pieces for a wedding because the florist's order is mistakenly canceled; a sixth sense, if you will, not to trust something that turns out to be evil and sinister. Divine messages come in many forms.
Angels come in many forms. Have you ever been considered an angel?
