I happened across this quote from St. Augustine’s The Literal Meaning of Genesis, which speaks of angels involved in both the creation of Eve from Adam, and wondrously, in the incarnation of Christ in Mary:
"We firmly believe that the woman was made from the man without the aid of human procreation, even though the rib of the man may have been obtained by angels for the work of the Creator. In a similar manner, we firmly believe that a Man was also made from a woman without any nuptial embrace when the offspring of Abraham was placed through the angels in the hands of a Mediator. Unbelievers consider both of these events beyond belief. But for believers, why should the account of the conception of Christ be accepted in the literal sense and the account of the creation of Eve be accepted only in a figurative sense?"
I love the thought of angels working with and participating with God in creation. This to me in no way takes away from the glory of God as Creator ex nihilo, but rather reveals His glory as the God who always delights in sharing His work as part of His love. Is this not just what we see Him do in the case of the New Creation? Supremely in Mary (Queen of Angels!) as co-redemptrix, but also in each one of us as He chooses to involve us in our own sanctification.
Indeed, even on the natural level, God’s love for participation is everywhere, most beautifully in marriage and the creation of children. On the level of grace we see this most amazingly in His choice to create the priesthood and involve His priests in the “creation” (so to speak) of Himself in the Eucharist!
All of this reveals the Heart of a God so full of love and generosity, so perfectly meek and humble, and so eager and delighted to share with His Beloved everything that is His, especially His works of goodness & beauty. Knowing this about Him, I would be more surprised if He did not involve the angels in the creation of the world!
This is all very well said—thank you for the comment! Back in the days when pagan philosophies were a greater danger to orthodox theology, the Church needed to emphasize that there is one and only one God who is the one and only Creator of all things. Nowadays, though, we might need to lean in the opposite direction, and emphasize the beautiful and inspiring ways whereby the angels participate in our world and join us in this wondrous journey of rational, spiritual existence.
Indeed, all things at the appointed time. Makes our times seem not so bad, if we are given the great and wondrous task of reminding the world of angels!
Thank you for the work you’re doing to that end, truly. So many souls are trapped in a grey & illusory insanity and they need help to see the glory of the Real World as it actually is.
I happened across this quote from St. Augustine’s The Literal Meaning of Genesis, which speaks of angels involved in both the creation of Eve from Adam, and wondrously, in the incarnation of Christ in Mary:
"We firmly believe that the woman was made from the man without the aid of human procreation, even though the rib of the man may have been obtained by angels for the work of the Creator. In a similar manner, we firmly believe that a Man was also made from a woman without any nuptial embrace when the offspring of Abraham was placed through the angels in the hands of a Mediator. Unbelievers consider both of these events beyond belief. But for believers, why should the account of the conception of Christ be accepted in the literal sense and the account of the creation of Eve be accepted only in a figurative sense?"
I've never come across this passage from Augustine, which is quite remarkable. I'm so glad you shared this, thank you!
I love the thought of angels working with and participating with God in creation. This to me in no way takes away from the glory of God as Creator ex nihilo, but rather reveals His glory as the God who always delights in sharing His work as part of His love. Is this not just what we see Him do in the case of the New Creation? Supremely in Mary (Queen of Angels!) as co-redemptrix, but also in each one of us as He chooses to involve us in our own sanctification.
Indeed, even on the natural level, God’s love for participation is everywhere, most beautifully in marriage and the creation of children. On the level of grace we see this most amazingly in His choice to create the priesthood and involve His priests in the “creation” (so to speak) of Himself in the Eucharist!
All of this reveals the Heart of a God so full of love and generosity, so perfectly meek and humble, and so eager and delighted to share with His Beloved everything that is His, especially His works of goodness & beauty. Knowing this about Him, I would be more surprised if He did not involve the angels in the creation of the world!
This is all very well said—thank you for the comment! Back in the days when pagan philosophies were a greater danger to orthodox theology, the Church needed to emphasize that there is one and only one God who is the one and only Creator of all things. Nowadays, though, we might need to lean in the opposite direction, and emphasize the beautiful and inspiring ways whereby the angels participate in our world and join us in this wondrous journey of rational, spiritual existence.
Indeed, all things at the appointed time. Makes our times seem not so bad, if we are given the great and wondrous task of reminding the world of angels!
Thank you for the work you’re doing to that end, truly. So many souls are trapped in a grey & illusory insanity and they need help to see the glory of the Real World as it actually is.
I love these thoughts - God's generosity and companionship. He can do whatever He likes!
Loving the angel series.