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Religious art can draw us closer to God. It may do the same for the artists who create it. In 1957, renowned Jewish sculptor Jacob Epstein was at the end of his career. The American-born British sculptor was asked to depict Saint Michael the Archangel for Coventry Cathedral, which was almost destroyed by German bombing in World War II. By the time his breath-taking, nineteen-foot-high bronze sculpture of Saint Michael and the Devil was completed in 1960, the artist had died. Each year, transfixed visitors stop to view the cathedral’s imposing exterior piece. A triumphant Michael stands, massive wings gloriously outstretched, holding a spear, with Satan eternally bound and defeated at his feet.69
The great Michelangelo knew that creating art was holy work. “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free,” he said.
March 14
Saved from a Tiger’s Teeth
In Billy Graham’s popular book Angels: God’s Secret Agents, he shared an angel story from his wife Ruth who was born in China to Christian missionaries. Ruth told about a peasant woman who was making her way one day through the foothills with her baby and toddler. Suddenly, she heard a terrifying growl as a snarling female tiger attacked her. “She had never seen a Bible,” Graham wrote. “But a year or two earlier, a missionary had told her about Jesus, ‘who is able to help you when you are in trouble.’” The woman shrieked as the tiger clawed her, but she also managed to shout “O Jesus, help me!” Instantly, the tiger ran. Jesus, she later insisted, had sent her help.70
“If we had open, spiritual eyes, we would see not only a world filled with evil spirits and powers — but also powerful angels with drawn swords, set for our defense.”
— Billy Graham
March 15
Cities Named after Angels
Receiving someone’s name sends honor in both directions. The one being named is honored to receive the name of someone wonderful. The one who gives or shares a name is honored too. Something of the giver’s gifts and qualities may be reborn and live in another person. Catholic explorers who visited and later settled in different regions around the world often named communities after the angels. Los Angeles (The Angels), settled by Spanish settlers in California in 1781, was originally named for Our Lady of the Angels. Among the many other cities named for the angels are: Angeles City, Philippines, Bangkok, Thailand, Kiryat Malakhi, Israel, Torun, Poland, and Tilburg, the Netherlands.
Through the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted. (Proverbs 11:11)
Lord, please bless all the cities of the world with upright and loving people and protect them through your angels.
March 16
Angels Never Force Us
Many people fondly remember a teacher or coach who brought out the best in them — without pushing, pulling, threatening, or promising huge rewards. The best mentors let us act freely. They understand that real love means giving others real freedom. That’s the approach of our guardian angels. Theologians say that angels don’t know our secret thoughts but can suggest things to our imagination. Their influence on our minds and hearts is subtle and gentle. Sometimes, people are spontaneously inspired to act in a generous way or to say something that needs to be said. Did the idea come “out of nowhere?” A guardian angel may have pitched that great idea.
Thank you, God, for blessing me with such great freedom and for an angel you sent who inspires and guides me so gently, so respectfully.
March 17
Saint Patrick (387–461)
Patrick’s Angel Came in Dreams
Saint Patrick, born in Britain, was kidnapped and taken as a boy to Ireland. He worked for six lonely years as a slave, herding cattle and sheep. But, on Ireland’s windy hills, he also met God. According to his autobiography, Patrick escaped slavery through the assistance of his angel, whom he called “Victoricus.” In a dream, the angel told Patrick to walk to the coast where he was to board a ship. Years later, in another dream, Victoricus shared a message from the Irish. “We beg you, holy youth,” it said, “that you shall come and walk again among us.” Patrick responded. He became a priest and bishop and returned to bring Christ to Ireland.71
The Breastplate of Saint Patrick, a prayer of Ireland’s great patron saint, poetically lists many ways to ask for God’s protection. Patrick prayed, “May the angels of God guard us — against the snares of the evil ones, against the temptations of the world.” 72
March 18
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315–387)
The Angels’ Hymn of Praise
As the bishop of Jerusalem, Cyril prepared catechumens for Christian Initiation. When explaining the Eucharistic liturgy, he said, “We make mention of heaven, and earth, and sea; of sun and moon; of stars and all the creation, rational and irrational, visible and invisible; of Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Thrones; of the Cherubim with many faces. We make mention also of the Seraphim … standing around the throne of God, with two of their wings veiling their face, and with two their feet, while with two they did fly, crying Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts (Isaiah 6:2–3). Our reciting this confession of God … is so we may be partakers with the hosts of the world above in their hymn of praise.”73
Lift up your spirit to praise the Lord of Hosts. With the great powers of God’s creation, pray: “As in the angels your will is done, O Lord, so likewise be it done on earth in me.”
March 19
Saint Joseph
Trusting an Angel
Joseph is mentioned four times in the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. Each time, Joseph either receives a message from the angel of the Lord in a dream, or carries out the angel’s instructions. Each time, the message is surprising — preposterous! The angel’s words turn his world upside down; they strain his faith to the very limit. Mary, his betrothed wife, is with child! Don’t divorce her — this is God’s plan! Herod is trying to kill the child! Flee to Egypt — tonight! Joseph, however, did not dismiss these crazy dreams. Each time, Joseph trusted the message of the angel, and he was not led astray.
When your angel is prompting you — repeatedly — to go, to do, to accept, to seek — listen! Listen in the quiet of a dream, in ten seconds of silence, in a prayer, in a sigh. Then trust! Trust that God’s will is accomplished through your response. Finally, obey. Do what your angel is telling you
