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111. The Actions of Angels on Men

1. Since angels are superior to man, they can enlightenman. They can strengthen the understanding of human beings and makemen aware, in some sensible manner, of the truths to be imparted.Thus angels can act upon the human intellect.

2. But angels cannot act directly upon the human will; Godalone can do this.

3. Nevertheless, angels, good or bad, can exercise anindirect influence on human wills by stirring up images inthe human imagination. And angels, good or bad, can, by theirnatural power, arouse sentient appetites and passions in the sameway, that is, by producing images in the human imagination.

4. Equally, an angel can work upon the human senses,either outwardly, as, for example, by assuming some visible form,or inwardly, by disturbing the sense-functions themselves, as, forexample, making a man see what is not really there.

"The one thing necessary which Jesus spoke of to Martha and Mary consists in hearing the word of God and living by it."
R. Garrigou-Lagrange, OP

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"As the flesh is nourished by food, so is man supported by prayers"
St Augustine

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"It is not God's will that we should abound in spiritual delights, but that in all things we should submit to his holy will."
Blessed Henry Suso

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