The First Messengers

The first thing God created was an immense army of spirits. At His wish they stood before Him, row after row, great, strong and beautiful. Their number was like the number of stars in the sky, or of grains of sand on the seashore. And God looked at them and loved them, and they were burning with love for Him, and were ready to obey His slightest wish. He called them His messengers or angels. St. Michael was one and Lucifer another.

The angels were very happy, but God did not let them see Him, although they were longing to do so. He wished first to try their love. Many persons think the test was this: God told them that some day after the world was made, He was going down on the earth to be born a little baby and to grow up to be a man. At once Lucifer and a large number of angels cried out that if God was going to do that they would refuse to serve Him, for they were too great and too beautiful to have a little baby for their God.

Like a flash of light, St. Michael drew his sword and leaped to the side of God, and with him rushed two-thirds of that great army of angels, whilst like thunder arose their battle-shout: “Who is like unto God? If God becomes a little baby, He will be God just the same and we will always obey and love Him, for whatever He does is right.”

The battle was on. Sword clashed against sword, and in an instant St. Michael and his warriors hurled Lucifer and the bad angels headlong over the battlements of Heaven into the great hole of hell their sin had just made.

Oh, how they shrieked with pain as they fell into the terrible flames. How they threw themselves against the strong gates of hell and cried to be let out. And they are still shrieking with pain and still crying to be let out, but they shall remain there in agony forever and forever. All their beauty was gone and they were turned into hideous devils, cursing God and wishing that they had never been created.

Then St. Michael and all the other good angels stood before their Creator and, as their reward, God let them see Him face to face and they have been filled with joy ever since.

The angels have no body, but they have often put on the shape of a body so that people could see them when they have come on some errand.

Each of you has at his side one of those great angels that fought for God before the world was made. And he isn’t an old angel either for spirits do not grow old. He is strong and beautiful and never leaves you for an instant, day or night. He has been with you ever since you were born, for then God placed you in his care so that he might look after you and keep you from sin. His work will not be over until, when you die, he carries your soul back to God.

Often speak to your angel and ask him to keep you pure. He can do many things for you. He fought the devil in the great battle in Heaven and he will fight him again when he comes around you.

How we should love our guardian angel if only we could see his beauty, could see the light streaming from him, could see how powerful and pure he is.

Often, as you walk along the street, put your hand in his and ask him to cover you with his wings so that no sin can touch you.