Powers of Service

The Church exists in communion and service, a living, breathing communion. We have the heavenly powers to help us to live this communion and service, in our growth and common journey.   They are not distant, unreachable figures, but rather part of this same communion, offering us heavenly help as we strive to live out the Gospel.

It is true that it is in our blood a craving for being a hero, a victorious fighter. We see it reflected in so many stories. Many of our recent stories show arrogant, angry, and vengeful heroes. Even angels are sometimes depicted, like superheroes ready for battle. If we are not careful, this imagery can shift our focus away from the true spirit of the Gospel. Perhaps we still want to keep the military conquest styles for divine actions and the mediation of saints.

The Gospel isn't a story of military conquest; it's a life of radical love, sacrificial service, and living communion. The archangels represent three essential services of the Gospel: preaching, healing, and resisting evil. Being the children of God, Freedom in the kingdom of God, and the time of God’s favour are very essential to all these three services. In fact, there is no place for

heroism or conquering figures in any of these. If presented with a heroic image, we risk missing their true, humble, and deeply spiritual nature. The angels, especially the archangels, are powerful.  Their power is exercised according to divine will, which is always about love and service, rather than domination or destruction.

True divine assistance is not a force that overtakes, but a grace that uplifts and sustains us. Instead of power-language about God’s protection and saints’ mediation, we need a language that touches life to live a life of grace. God's actions, mediated by His heavenly hosts, are always directed towards drawing us into deeper communion, fostering mutual service, and helping us to fully live out the grace of the Gospel. They are there to assist us on our common journey, to inspire us to be more like Christ – humble, loving, and ever-serving. It's a beautiful vision of a Church living in true communion, both earthly and heavenly, all walking together in peace and service.

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