Friday, September 6 : Catechism of the Catholic Church

     From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels… Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church’s praise: “Glory to God in the highest!” (Lk 2,14). 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… Again, it is the angels who “evangelize” (Lk 2,10) 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 judgement.      In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels. In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God, (Is 6,6). 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).      From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life,” (St Basil). Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God. **************************************************************************** “The Cherubic Hymn” (from the Offertory of the Divine liturgy of St John Chrysostom):     We who, in this mystery, praise Thee with all the saints and every creature in heaven and sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-giving Trinity, now lay aside all worldy cares to receive the King of all things, invisibly escorted by the armies of the angels, Alleluia!

maronite readings – rosary,team