Service And Angels

In supernis enim spiritibus non solum admirabilis dignitas, sed et dignatio amabilis invenitur. Dignum est proinde, fratres, ut gloriam non capientes, tanto magis amplectamur misericordiam, qua nimirum constat nihilominus abundare domesticos Dei, coeli cives, principes paradisi. Testatur denique Apostolus ipse, qui raptus usque ad tertium coelum, beatae illi curiae meruit interesse, atque ejus nosse secreta, quoniam omnes administratorii sunt spiritus, missi in ministerium propter eos, aui haereditatem capiunt salutis. Neque id cuiquam incredibile videatur; quandoquidem ipse quoque Creator et rex angelorum venit, non ministrari, sed ministrare, et animam suam dare pro multis. Utquid ergo ministerium illud angelorum quispiam dedignetur, in quo praecedit eos, cui in excelsis tota cum aviditate et felicitate ministrant? Si et hinc dubitas, utique qui vidit, testimonium perhibuit: Millia, inquiens, millium ministrabant ei, et decies centena millia assistebant ei. Alius quoque propheta ad Patrem de Filio loquens, ait: Minuisti eum paulo minus ab angelis. Sic plane, sic decet ut vincat et humilitate. qui sublimitate vincebat; sitque tanto minor angelis, quanto inferiori sese ministerio mancipavit: qui tanto excellentior est, quanto differentius prae eis nomen haereditavit. Sed quaeras fortasse, in quo minoratus videatur ab angelis, cum ministrare venit; quandoquidem, ut supra meminimus, in ministerium mittuntur et illi. In eo utique quod non modo ministravit, sed et ministratus est, eratque unus et idem qui ministrabat, et qui ministrabatur. Merito proinde sponsa in Canticis canticorum: Ecce, inquit, venit is saliens in montibus, transiliens colles. Ministrans enim saliit inter angelos: sed et ipsos transiliit ministratus. Ministrant enim angeli, sed de alieno, offerentes Deo bona opera, non sua, sed nostra, ac nobis ejus gratiam referentes. Unde et Scriptura dicens: Quoniam ascendit fumus aromatum in conspectu Domini de manu angeli, sollicite praemisit data ei 0449A fuisse incensa multa. Nostros enim sudores, non suos; nostras, non suas lacrymas offerunt Deo: nobis quoque ejus munera referunt, et non sua. Sanctus Bernardus Clarae Vallensis, Sermones De Sanctis, Sermones de Sanctis, In Festo Sancti Michalis, Sermo I De angelorum erga nos officiis... Source: Migne PL 183.448b-d

Among the heavenly sprits there is not only an admirable dignity but there is also found love. Worthy it is then, brothers, that not seizing on glory we much more embrace the mercy which certainly abounds in the servants of God, the inhabitants of heaven, the princes of paradise. The Apostle himself, who was caught up to the third heaven, and who merited to be among the cares of those blessed ones, and to know secrets, testifies that they are all ministering spirits sent to minster to those who seize on the inheritance of salvation. 1 Let this not appear incredible when the Creator Himself and king of the angels came not to be served but to serve, and to give his soul for many. 2 Therefore shall that ministry of angels be scorned, in which He excels them, who in the heights they minister to with all avidity and joy? If this is doubted, he who has seen has given witness to it, saying, 'Thousands on thousands ministering to Him, and ten hundred thousands assisting Him.' 3 Another prophet speaking about the Son to the Father says, 'You made him a little less than angels.' 4 So it is clear that it fitting that He who conquers through humility, who triumphed sublimely, who was so less than angels, transferred to them a lesser ministry, He who is so much more excellent, as great as the difference over them is the name He inherited. 5 But perhaps you ask, in what was He less than angels when He came to serve, when certainly as we have mentioned, they are sent to minister. In this, that He not only served but was served and He was the one and same who ministered and was ministered to. Rightly, then, the bride says in the Song of Songs, 'Behold he comes leaping on the mountains, springing on the hills.' 6 For in ministering He leaps among the angels, in being ministered to He surpasses them. For the angels serve but they offer good works from others, even ours, and not their own, and to us they refer His grace. Thus Scripture says that the smoke of incense from the hand of the angel rose up in the sight of God, and anxiously he sent for much incense to be given to him. 7 For it is our works not theirs, our tears not theirs, that they offer to God, and they refer His gifts to us, not their own. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons on the Saints, On The Feast Of Saint Michael, from Sermon 1, Concerning the offices of the angels for us... 1 2 Cor 12.2-4, Heb 1.14 2 Mt 10.28 3 Dan 7.10 4 Ps 8.6 5 Phil 2.9 6 Song 2.8 7 Apoc 8.4-3