Choose a topic from Part 1:
1. Superior rules inferior; hence angels rule the bodilyworld. St. Gregory says that in this visible world nothing occurswithout the agency of invisible creatures.
2. Angels, however, have not power to produce or transformbodies at will. God alone gives first existence to things; afterfirst creation, bodies come from bodies. But angels can stir bodilyagencies to produce change in bodies.
3. Angels can directly control the local movement ofbodies, for this is an accidental change in bodies, not asubstantial production of bodies nor a substantial change.
4. Angels cannot, of themselves, work miracles. Amiracle, by definition, is a work proper to God alone. Of course,angels can serve, even as holy men may serve, as ministers orinstruments in the performing of miracles. Angels, good or bad, cando wonderful things, but only such as lie within the power ofangelic nature, and a miracle surpasses the powers of all creatednatures.
"A person who rails at God in adversity, suffers without merit; moreover by his lack of resignation he adds to his punishment in the next life and experiences greater disquietude of mind in this life."
St Alphonsus de Liguori
* * *
"God has no need of men."
St Philip Neri
* * *
"Lord, take from me everything that hinders me from going to You. give me all that will lead me to You. Take me from myself and give me to Yourself."
St Nicholas Flue
* * *