So many people
nowadays believe in angels, in interacting with them, seeking their help,
trying to talk to them, trying to see them. But today there is also much
confusion about angels, because the secular view of angels has invaded the
media. There are books, films, songs you name it about angels. A lot of people have become obsessed with
angels and have become insensitive to their friends, coworkers, neighbors and
even family members. In their pursuit of angels, they have forgotten the most
important thing: giving praise and glory to God by loving one another. They are
so busy trying to interact with an angel that they lose touch with their
personal relationship with others and many times even with God. Now, I am going
to propose another view on angels.
I am not
saying angels don’t exist or that they are not important¾please don’t get me wrong. What I have a problem with is when
people’s obsession with angels makes them overlook the teachings of Jesus
Christ and leads them to neglect their relationship with God. Once Jesus Christ
is a priority in our lives, we can then learn to love and respect the angels.
Why do we obsess about angels? I think because
we crave a stronger, more solid relationship with God. We want to be more
spiritual, but we approach it in a proud and even selfish way: “I and my
angel”, “I have a unique relationship with angels”, “I am special because I
communicate with angels”, “I am unique and good because I see my guardian
angel.” In the end, we might end up forgetting others. We can become so focused
on ourselves that we forget the main thing God wants us to do¾which is to love one another and take care of each other.
Jesus Christ left us a message about loving one another. If we can focus on
this, then we can be like living, breathing angels to each other. The message
of Jesus was a powerful message of love in every sense of the word love in the sense of giving without expecting back,
forgiving, not judging, treating others as we would like to be treated, helping
those who are different, helping those who are in need, helping the sad, the
lonely and the hungry.
We can be
angels to each other. We can give more time to others. We can listen to them,
offer them our company, give them our support. We can be more patient with each
other and more kind. We can change the world with our love, moving forward step
by step, without having any grandiose expectations of “becoming enlightened” or
“interacting with angels.” We can be content to just be ourselves, a simple
person with many defects but capable of loving all the same. Knowing deep in our hearts that we are a
unique child of God made in His image to love and to be loved.
Jesus came so that we would become children of
God. Why do people get lost and start almost worshiping angels, obsessing about
them…and all the while neglecting their relationship with God? All we need to
say is: “God, Father, I need help,” and He will immediately send His angels so
that we won’t even hit our foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:12) When we trust
God and ask for His help, we know that His help will come through His angels in heaven or through those people who, out
of love, become, even if for a moment, angels on earth.
Wisdom to
contemplate:
“Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is
good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing
honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice
in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of
the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless
those who persecute (you), bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who
rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not
be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight
of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look
for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is
mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ Rather, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed
him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will
heap burning coals upon his head.’ Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil
with good. (Romans 12:9-21)