Angels & Intuition

There are only four angels mentioned by name in the Bible.  Of these four, the two most famous are Michael, who defeats the dragon in the Book of Revelation, and Gabriel, who speaks with Mary in Luke's Gospel.  'Angel' in the original language literally means 'messenger.'   What about angels today?  Do they still speak?  Although the Bible never says as much, I tend to think that angels may speak to us via our intuition or gut feelings, which mysteriously help us to know what to do when the mind is at a loss. 

Recently, I was talking with a group of children (ages 4-11) about angels.  I mentioned that the first words of an angel's mouth in the Bible are often, "Do not be afraid."  I asked, "Why?"  Hands shot up.  The first child offered, "So that we will not be afraid of the darkness."  Another child said that it is because angels are loving.  Fair enough, I thought.  Finally, a nine-year-old boy stated confidently, "So that we don't call the cops."

I laughed, but this nine-year-old had a point.  Don't angels appear in order to move us from fear to trust?

photo caption:
An iPhone photo of the War Memorial Windows at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee.  Archangel Michael in both windows does battle with the forces of evil, which are represented as dragons and creatures with serpents for hair.