Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened, and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven....
The Little Prince, as nearly everyone remembers, lived on his tiny planet where he maintained his little volcano, keeping it clean and neat and ready. Occasionally, to relieve his loneliness, he'd visit other little princes and princesses on their little planets; and on one occasion visited Earth.
In Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's fictional universe every planet had at least one little person to maintain order; and there were many such places.
Our Christian belief in angels is not much different. When we're told there are "billions and billions" of galaxies, each of them comprising thousand or millions of stars, quasars, black holes, and whatnot, we can imagine just as many thousands upon thousands, and myriads upon myriads ministering to him.
Why should not each supernal planet, star, and solar system have its own superluminary angel to maintain, protect, and express its wonderful being in the presence of Almighty God? If some of these celestial persons and planets seem superfluous, then their existence can be justified like yours and mine -- since our existence is also not really necessary. We humans, along with all creatures great and small, and all the conjectural multiverses do the one thing necessary, and that is praise God with all his angels.
The one thing we cannot imagine is that there is more than one Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Or that he should undergo multiple crucifixions for as many habitable exoplanets there are among all the multiverses. That's where the science of theology and the science of the cross serve to balance other sciences, calling them back from idle speculation to the useful search for knowledge.
A zillion infinitely reproduced saviors would be superfluous, for the Son of Man has won salvation once and for all. Death has no more power over him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Romans 6: 9-10
As do we, along with the Archangel Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael live for God. How wonderful is that?
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.