Monday, April 7, 2008

face of an angel

Acts 6:8-15, John 6:22-29

The 'face of angel' is quite a perplexing statement; today we use it as a adjective to describe someone whose beauty is fair and pleasant to behold; usually it is a statement regarding the physical complexion of someone. 

But this understanding is quite shallow; it makes a mockery out of the true beauty of why an angel is created.  An angel is nothing more and nothing less than a messenger of God.    The essence of angel is to be before God worshiping, and always ready to do his will, act on his command.  Thus, true beauty has little to with complexion and physical attributes; it has everything to do with interior readiness and willingness to heed the word of God and make that message known. 

Stephen in today's reading demonstrates what a 'face of an angel' is truly about.  He is ready and willing to make known the message of God, the message that was proclaimed in the body and blood of Christ.  

Thus, his face is completely radiant with the complexion of eternity as he refuses to back down and insists, in the face of terrible pressure and opposition, to make known the message of God, and proclaim Christ to the critics of his time. 

His face was like the face of an angel. Do we have the face of angel?

We do if we follow Jesus' commands, "do not work for food that perishes but for food that endures for eternal life, which the son of man will give you."

As we eat the food of angels, the command of God in Christ, so to will our face become radiant like that of an angel.


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