WHAT ARE ANGELS?

Messengers of God

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Thank You Jesus and Mary for EVERYTHING, i love and trust in Thee save souls.

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The relationship between angels and humans is complex and nuanced. While angels are generally considered superior to humans in certain aspects, humans hold a unique and exalted position in God's creation.

Angelic Superiority

Angels are traditionally viewed as superior to humans in several ways:

1. Intelligence: Angels possess vastly superior intelligence compared to humans. Their purely spiritual nature allows for a higher level of intellectual capacity.

2. Hierarchy: Angels are organized into a celestial hierarchy, with nine choirs divided into three hierarchies. This structured order suggests a level of superiority in the cosmic arrangement.

3. Capabilities: Angels, being purely spiritual beings, have capabilities that surpass those of material beings like humans. They do not die and are not limited by physical constraints.

4. Proximity to God: The highest orders of angels, such as seraphim and cherubim, exist in the realm closest to God and are characterized by their intense love and deep insight into God's secrets.

Human Exaltation

Despite angelic superiority in certain aspects, Catholic teaching also emphasizes the unique and elevated status of humans:

1. Image of God: Humans are created in God's image, which grants them a special dignity.

2. Incarnation: Through Jesus Christ's incarnation, human nature was exalted. This act of God becoming human raised humanity's status in a unique way.

3. Redemption: Humans have the opportunity for redemption and intimate union with God through Christ, which angels do not experience in the same way.

4. Love: Human love, especially when united with Christ, is considered to take precedence over angelic eloquence.

5. Priestly Ordination: In Catholic theology, priests are believed to be raised above angels through their ordination, as they can perform sacramental actions that angels cannot.

Conclusion

While angels are superior to humans in terms of their natural abilities and cosmic order, the Catholic perspective emphasizes that humans have been elevated through Christ's incarnation and redemption. This unique relationship with God gives humanity a special status that, in some ways, surpasses that of angels. The complexity of this relationship is perhaps best summarized by the paradoxical nature of Christ himself, who was "made a little lower than the angels" in his humanity, yet is ultimately crowned with glory and honor above all.