The Descending and Ascending of the Angels

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 25th Week :  Friday*

*Gospel : Jn 1:47–51*

*First Reading : Dn 7:9-10, 13-14*

*Feast of the Arch Angels*

*The Descending and Ascending of the Angels*

*1) The dream of Jacob*

We have a reference for the ascending and descending of the angels in the Old Testament

The Classical example is the Dream of Jacob

On his journey to Laban’s house, Jacob spends the night at a certain place.

He has a dream in which he sees angels who are ascending and descending on a ladder or staircase between earth and heaven.

Then, in his dream, the Lord speaks to him and makes great promises to him.

When Jacob awakes, he concludes that the Lord is in this place and he names the place Bethel, which means “house of God” (Gen 28:17, 19). 

It is an incredible picture how close and interconnected heaven and earth really are. These realms are not separated by distance, but are dimensions that overlap together.

*2) Nathanael : Ascending and Descending of the Angels*

Then in the Gospel of John, Jesus encounters Nathanael for the first time.

Then Jesus says  *“you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”*

Here Jesus is making a clear statement that through Him (Jesus), heaven is opened. And the angels of God will ascend and descend on Him. 

This is pointing back to the story of Jacob. The ladder is a connector between heaven and earth. Jesus is essentially saying that He is Jacob’s ladder. 

It is Jesus, the connection between heaven and earth, that angels will ascend and descend upon. 

*3) Jesus is the Ladder*

In both the above incidents, Jesus makes it very clear that there is a ladder which connects the heaven and the Earth 

Jesus is this Ladder which connects the heaven and Earth. Through this ladder the Angels ascend and descend

So it is through Jesus one can ascend into heaven and descend into the World 

Jesus is the powerful ladder 

*4) Cross the Special ladder of Jesus*

Usually the Ladder have two ends; Up and Down 

But the Ladder which was created by Jesus - The Cross - has four Sides 

These four sides connect God and Human Beings, One  Human being with another Human being 

But the significance of this Ladder consists in connecting heaven and earth, Human life with eternal life 

*5) We are called upon to ascend through the Ladder*

Like angels we are invited to ascend through the Ladder to heaven

Jesus says I am the Way. Jesus is the way, Jesus is the Ladder. No one goes to the Father, except through this ladder 

Let us use this ladder to climb high to the eternal life

*6) Am I ready to ascend through the Ladder?*

The ladder is ready. The angles always guide us in showing the ladder and climbing the ladder

If so, am I ready to climb the Ladder? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*