“he was carried away by angels”
What is an angel? First, it is important to note that the word “angel” speaks more of their office and not their nature.[i] The simple answer to who is an angel is simply a pure spirit. An angel is “A pure, created spirit, called angel because some angels are sent by God as messengers to humans. An angel is a pure spirit because he has no body and does not depend for his existence or activity on matter. The Bible tells us that the angels constitute a vast multitude, beyond human reckoning. They differ in perfection of nature and grace. Each is an individual person. According to Christian tradition, they form three major categories in descending order. The word ‘angel’ is commonly applied only to those who remained faithful to God, although the devils are also angels by nature. Moreover, ‘angel’ is the special name for the choir of angelic spirits, from whom guardian angels are sent to minister to human needs. The existence of angels has been twice defined by the Church: at the Fourth Lateran Council (Denzinger 800) and the First Vatican Council (Denzinger 3002).”[ii] The belief in angels, because it has been defined by the Church, is a doctrine of the Church and therefore must be believed. This teaching was not only taught and believed by the Jewish people, but taught be Christ, the Apostles, and the Church.
When were angels created? “Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan…”[iii]
Where in scripture do we see angels? Angels are found throughout the entire bible. In the Old Testament, “they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham’s hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People f God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples.”[iv] In the New Testament, “the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself. From the Incarnation to Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God ‘brings the firstborn into the world, he says: ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’ Their song of praise at the birth of God’s angels worship him.’ Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church’s praise: ‘Glory to God in the highest!’ They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from hands of his enemies as Israel had been. Again, it is the angels who ‘evangelize’ by proclaiming the Good News of Christ’s Incarnation and Resurrection. They will be present at Christ’s return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment.”[v]
How are angels depicted? Angels are depicted in various forms. They are “Shown as messengers, in worship, and in executing justice, they appeared in Western art before 600AD. Before Constantine their appearance without wings was mainly with a staff indicative of their office as messengers. The nine choirs are distinctively represented. Angels in art are represented with a variety of articles, musical instruments, thuribles, shields, scrolls, and in a few instances emblems of the Passion, though they are usually represented in worship before the Blessed Sacrament on earth and before the throne of God in heaven.”[vi] [Below in the question regarding the choirs of angels you can find how each choir is depicted.]
How many angels are there? We honestly have no idea. We would say there are a countless number of angels. We do know that there is a guardian angel for each person who has lived, is living, and will live. We also know that there are about 7 billion people living on the earth. This means that there are at least 7 billion angels. Multiply that number by all those who have ever lived and will ever lived.
Do people become angels? No! Many people use the saying, “Now they are an angel” when referring to someone who has died. This is incorrect. Angels and humans are two different beings in the created order. Neither can become the other. Angels are pure nature and are not bound by matter of this world. Angels never die for they were created for all eternity. Humans are bound to material world because of our flesh, and that our bodies will reunite with our souls at the final coming of Jesus. Angels never had flesh (body) and never will.
Are angels greater than humans? Humans are lower than angels because angels are pure and perfect beings. They have greater knowledge and wiser than humans. “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? ... For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.”[vii] This also means that in becoming human, Jesus in His human nature was made a little less than an angel, but in His divinity and resurrection He is adored and glorified by the angels.
How do angels help the Church? “The whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of the angels”[viii] There is no more powerful union between the Church and the angels than at the liturgy. “The Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the funeral liturgy’s In Paradisum deducant te angeli…[“May the angels lead you into Paradise…”]). Moreover, in the ‘Cherubic Hymn’ of the Byzantine Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain angels more particularly (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the guardian angels).”[ix]
MUSIC – In Paradisum (Mass for the Dead)
This is the chant from the before mentioned In paradisum in Latin. The English translation is “May angels lead you into paradise; upon your arrival, may the martyrs receive you and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem. May the ranks of angels receive you, and with Lazarus, once a poor man, may you have eternal rest.”
MUSIC – Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World
This song uses the In Paradisum for the Chorus.
MUSIC – Bortniansky Cherubic Hymn (No. 7)
This is a Cherubic Hymn as mentioned in the paragraph above from the eastern liturgies. The Cherubic Hymn or “Cherubikon” is sung as an entrance in order to have those present for the liturgy enter into the mystery of the angels who are also gathered around God’s throne.
What is the link between angels and Jesus? “Christ is the center of the angelic world. They are his angels: ‘When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him…’ They belong to him because they were created through and for him: ‘for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities – all things were created through him and for him’ They belong to him still more because he has made them messengers of his saving plan: ‘Are they not all ministering sprits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation.’”[x] Jesus is even the center of the fallen angels for they have made it their mission to rebel against Him and thus they are centered on leading this rebellion against Christ. Remember it is the demons (fallen angels) that are the first to recognize Jesus in the Gospels. They are the first to cry out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?”[xi]
Search: Guardian Angels
[i] cf. St. Augustine, En. In. Ps. 103, 1, 15: PL 37, 1348
[ii] Hardon, Modern Catholic Dictionary, pg. 25
[iii] CCC 332
[iv] CCC 332
[v] CCC 332-333
[vi] Hardon, Modern Catholic Dictionary, pg. 25
[vii] Psalm 8:4,5
[viii] CCC 334
[ix] CCC 335
[x] CCC 331
[xi] Matthew 8:29