24. The Angels and Men Compared

In their natural constitution and endowments the angels are far superior to men. The Psalmist, asking what is man or the son of man, answers, “Thou hast made him a little less than the angels” (Ps. viii. 6). They are our superiors even though appointed to be, in a way, our attendants and guards. The angels are more perfect representations than men of the spiritual and intellectual being of the Almighty, so that they are called “the seal of resemblance” (Ez. xxviii. 12). Further, they were created in the immaterial heaven, we on earth. They now see God face to face in His glory; we only in a dark manner by faith. They have the joy of possession, we must have patience in tribulation. They possess a beatified life, our most earnest desire is for a happy death. They live to God, we have to die to the world. They possess perfect justice, we need perfect penance. They have the completion, we the commencement of supernatural life.

Therefore we may say of the angels as compared with men, “The cedars in the paradise of God were not higher than he . . . neither were the plane trees to be compared to him . . . no tree in the paradise of God was like him in his beauty” (Ez. xxxi. 8). Rejoice in the greatness of these noble beings, without envying them or despising your condition. Look up to them as to elder brethren. Venerate them for their nearness to God and the likeness they bear to Him.

In several respects angels and men are alike.

(1) Both classes are from the hand of God and made in His image. “Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?” (Mal. ii. 10).

(2) Both possess spirituality, although in different forms, also immortality, intelligence, liberty.

(3) Both arrive at beatitude by the same means; through faith and love of God, struggle, fidelity and perseverance.

(4) Both depend for being and salvation on the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and are united in Him as members of the one body; they also live by Him, for the sacred bread from heaven given for the nourishment of men is also called the Bread of Angels.

(5) In the resurrection mankind “shall be as the angels of God in heaven” (Matt. xxii. 30); being on the same footing and in the same ranks, enjoying the same inheritance and the same vision of God. Endeavour to make perfect this resemblance to the angels, by living the life of the angels, imitating their sanctity, their unworldliness, their devotion to God and their accomplishment of His will.

There are some respects in which man surpasses the angels.

(1) Human nature and not the angelic has been joined in hypostatic union with the Eternal Word; so that men are specially the brethren of the Son of God. “Nowhere doth He take hold of the angels, but of the seed of Abraham He taketh hold” (Heb. ii. 16).

(2) We have the privilege of undergoing sufferings and pains for God’s sake, and being tried in ways that were not open to the angels; the singular glory of martyrdom belongs to us by reason of our being subject to death; and our carnal state and its temptations afford occasion for the brilliant virtue of chastity, which raises us above our natural level and makes us “like to the angels of God in heaven.”

(3) We have that most happy advantage, not possible in the angels who fell, of being able to repent of our sins and live anew to grace, and even of gaining higher glory after sinning than if we had never sinned.

(4) We shall receive a double reward and happiness in heaven, bodily as well as spiritual, on account of our double conflict and double service; and some of our race will possibly take higher rank and glory in heaven than some among the angels.

Thus you have compensations for your present lowliness and afflictions. Be contented with your lot, and take courage, considering the reward. Before long you will take your place among the choirs of angels.