What is it that kept
the Holy Archangel Michael, and all the other holy angels, on the side of God,
so that they would not fall into the same sin of pride, vanity and misery that
claimed Lucifer and the demons?
It was their
infinite love toward God.
From the words of
the Apostle Paul, we see that love was the first to weaken in those angels who
became demons, until in the end they had lost it completely. The Holy Apostle
James says that these angels "also believe, and tremble". They know
of God, yet they deny Him by turning away from Him and walking in the opposite
direction. And they "tremble", he says.
We know from the
Holy Scriptures that the service of the holy angels is to glorify God with
their faith, and their love. Likewise, it is to fulfil the duties God assigns
to them in the act of the salvation of humans. Service then is what elevates
them.
Like the angelic
powers, love and service is what will elevate us. Love will keep us in the
faith and on the side of God. Service to everyone in everything that is good
will work for their salvation and ours.
Brothers and
sisters, love and serve, so that at the end of the world when the Lord will
send His angels to summon the righteous, we too may hear the voice of our Lord
Jesus Christ proclaim: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world".
+ Excerpts from a
Homily given by Patriarch Pavle of Blessed Memory, on the Synaxis of the
Archangel Michael.
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