Psalm Reflection: The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

“In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.” - Psalms 138

Three steps.

Catholic Churches are full of symbols, some of which are built in to the design and architecture. A common symbolic design is the three steps from the main sanctuary up to the altar. The three steps, invoking the number of the persons of the Holy Trinity, symbolize the fact that during Mass, Heaven breaks open and descends upon the altar. Ascending those three steps is like climbing a ladder to Heaven. 

At every Mass, we participate in the New Covenant: a re-presentation of the New Passover sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, on the cross for our sins. We consume the sacrificial meal together, praying in communion with the angels and Saints.

The Psalmist’s words convey to us that, in holy moments, like in the Mass, when angels are present with us, we should be compelled to worship and praise the Lord.

But, the angels are not just present with us at Mass. There is an entire disciple of theology called angelology, which explores the roles that angels have cosmologically and in the economy of salvation. Early Church Fathers like St. Augustine and St. Gregory the Great were influential in forming the traditions and theology that arranged the angels into nine choirs. These choirs were arranged into three hierarchies.

These classifications are not explicitly Biblical, and are not a matter of official Church teaching. Rather, these are areas of theological speculation that have been developed out of private revelations and based on some passing references in Scripture:

“In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they hovered. One cried out to the other: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” - Isaiah 6:2-3

“He expelled the man, stationing the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword east of the garden of Eden, to guard the way to the tree of life.” - Genesis 3:24

“For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.” - Colossians 1:16

“May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call… which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.” - Ephesians 1:18-21

“For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” -1 Thessalonians 4:16

In Angels and Demons, theologian and philosopher Dr. Peter Kreeft gives a brief summary of these choirs and their roles:

The first three levels see and adore God directly:

The seraphim, the highest choir, comprehend God with maximum clarity, and therefore their love flames the hottest. (“Seraphim” means “the burning ones.”) Lucifer (“Light-bearer”) was once one of them. That’s why he’s still very powerful and dangerous.

The cherubim contemplate God too, but less in himself than in his providence…(“Cherubim” means “fullness of wisdom.”)

The thrones contemplate God’s power and judgments. (Thrones symbolize judicial, juridical power.)

The next three choirs fulfill God’s providential plans for the universe, like middle management personnel:

The dominations or “dominions” (…”authority”), command the lesser angels below them.

The virtues receive their orders from the dominations and “run” the universe, so to speak, especially the heavenly bodies. (“Virtue” used to mean power, might, or energy.)

The powers serve the virtues by fighting against evil influences that oppose the virtues’ providential plan.

The last three choirs directly order human affairs:

The principalities care for earthly principalities, that is, cities and nations and kingdoms.

The archangels (such as Gabriel) carry God’s important messages to man.

Ordinary angels are the “guardian angels,” one for each individual.

All of this is very interesting (to me at least), but it is not to simply give you an interesting read on angels. It is to call our attention to the fact that angels are present in every part of the universe, creation, and daily life. They are all around us. If the Psalmist wrote, “In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord,” then we are meant to sing the praises of the Lord everywhere we go and in everything we do.

We are surrounded by heavenly warriors fighting for our protection and intervening to lead us closer to God. God loves you so much that He not only became man to die the most gruesome death imaginable on the cross for you, but He also has unleashed an army of spiritual beings devoted to ensuring you will know the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ and be protected from the attacks of the Enemy.

If that does not inspire us to sing praises to God, I am not sure what will.

Every day is an opportunity to see reality from a heavenly perspective, and to recognize that heaven is crashing into earth in incredible moments of grace every day. 

Three steps to the altar where Heaven kisses earth. Three choirs of angels all around us and inspiring us to praise. Take those three steps in your heart today, and open your eyes to see the glory and handiwork of God all around you in the presence of His angels.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, February 9th, 2025, The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C: Psalms 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8.