There were millions and millions of angels before the throne of God. Some spent their days just praising God's greatness. They would look at God and say things to one another like we say when we look at the ocean---"Wow!" Or, when we see a bee drinking from a flower and we say to a friend, "Oh, boy, look at that!" Other angels walked with humans and helped them get through their hard times. There were also special angels who carried messages between God and human beings. These angels were very busy indeed since God was always speaking to people, even though they didn't always listen. And a lot of people spoke frequently to God. The messenger-angels were the busiest angels in heaven.
Among all these angels some stood out, they shone so much they made quite an impressive appearance. Gabriel was one of these "stand-out" angels. He loved being in the heavenly courts. Things were so perfect there and not much changed and if they did, it was because they only got better. The only times there was a disturbance in the heavenly courts was when bad things happened on earth---like wars, prejudice, starvation, children hurt, injustice, etc. When things like that happened here on Earth, a chill would go through the heavenly household. Even the angels could feel it. Their wings would flutter with the chill. Some would mutter, "Those human creatures the Most High created have upset our peace and quiet here once again!"
On such occasions, when humans were doing terrible things to one another, the angels would look over to where God dwelt; a place of very bright light. They would notice the light go low for a moment. Then the angels would know that God was grieving for the humans. This would cause a discussion among the angels; had the all-perfect God made a mistake creating them? Did God regret what God had done? How could God be so patient with them? If they were made in the image of God they certainly had a strange way of showing it! Why weren't they more like their Creator ---loving, generous, forgiving and kind to one another? Where was the image of God in these humans?--- the angels wondered.
The angels in the heavenly courts admired God's patience. They marveled at all the messages God sent through the messenger angels to the people trying to call them back to being the image of God. As I said, these messenger angels were the busiest angels God had created. But really! How much longer could this go on? The angels wondered when God would do something about these humans. When would God make things right and straighten out these stubborn creatures?
One day a rumor started among the angels. God was about to do something about conditions on Earth. "Finally!," the angel Michael said. "It's about time!", Gabriel added. Who could blame God if God decided to put an end to the mistake these humans turned out to be? But still, the angels felt sorry for the humans since they did, after all, have many fine qualities. A call echoed through the heavenly courts, "Gabriel!". God was summoning the splendid Gabriel, calling him forward to assign him the task of doing something about the human condition down on Earth. Before Gabriel came forward he took up his mighty sword; the fiery one that could split through mountains and destroy cities with one swipe. Gabriel was ready to do the will of God. He was sad, but felt it was necessary. He came before the throne of the Almighty and waited his orders.
What he heard made him doubt his angelic ears. He couldn't believe the command God gave him. "Put away your sword, Gabriel. I am not going to destroy the world. I am going to rescue it. I am going to send my Son to live among the humans. He will be one of them---walk, not fly; eat and feel hunger; drink and be thirsty; love and care for the most despised among my creatures. And he will even suffer pain and die, to help them not fear death."
Amazed, Gabriel could barely speak. He just listened and took in all this startling news. He was to go to a young woman named Mary in an insignificant village in an unknown part of the world. God had favored her and, with her help, was going to favor the world. Gabriel was supposed to bring this news to Mary. And so he flashed off as quickly as possible. But before he left he put his fiery sword away in the attic where he stored things he no longer needed. He also had to go find his friend Raphael, who had been to Earth before and knew the place well. "Raphael, my dear friend, I am in a hurry and don't want to get lost. Would you draw me a map so I can find where Nazareth in Galilee is? I haven't got the faintest idea." So, with map in hand Gabriel took off on his mission to deliver the message God gave him.
On his way to Nazareth he thought about the news he was bearing and now that he was over the initial surprise, he was delighted by God's ingenuity. "Imagine! God's Son will become one of them!" He was struck by how impossible it seemed and how very clever God was, "Who else but God could have thought of something like that!", he chuckled. He was so distracted by God's plans that he forgot where he was going. And so by instinct he made haste to Rome. After all, it was the biggest, grandest and most powerful city in the most powerful nation in the world. What other city would God choose for such an important event? He was almost there when he heard the voice of God in his ears, "No Gabriel, not Rome. Check your map and go to Nazareth in Galilee!"
God decided to stay in touch with Gabriel lest he make any more blunders. So when Gabriel got to Nazareth, it was the smallest of towns, God pointed out Mary to him: a young woman, a girl actually, about 14 or 15. "There Gabriel," God whispered, "she's the one. When you speak to her speak gently and don't go crashing in and frighten her with all your shiny splendor. The news you are bringing her is frightening enough. Just tell her not to be afraid, I will be with her. And don't forget to tell her that anything is possible for God."
Well you know the rest of the story about how Gabriel brought the news to Mary and how wonderfully she responded. When he finished his task, Gabriel returned to the high courts, and of course, all the angels rushed and gathered around him. The first thing they noticed was that his sword was missing. "Did you destroy them? Was it terrible?", they asked with sad voices, because in spite of all human beings' failings and shortcomings, the angels had grown quite fond of them. "No," Gabriel said, and then he told them the story of his trip to Earth and the message he delivered to the young Mary. There was a stunned silence....they were so surprised. Then a familiar feeling of awe came over them as the angels realized once again, God's infinite ability to love. All together the angels turned and faced the holy place where God dwelt. I said that the only change that took place in heaven was that things got better. Well, at that moment, the angels loved God more than ever. And they said all together, like a chorus, "Isn't that just like God!"
Written by: Fr. Jude Siciliano
No comments:
Post a Comment