‘Be an angel…’
The autumn term has well and truly started and in some places, notably Cambridge or Oxford colleges, is called Michaelmas term. Why is this? At the end of September the church celebrates St. Michael and All Angels. Often we say, ‘Be an angel and do…’ but what do we mean and how is angel defined?
Angels are messengers and frequently occur in the Bible, the Archangel Gabriel visiting Mary telling her she was to be the Mother of Jesus and Michael, portrayed as a warrior. There are some other Archangels, Raphael, healing and Uriel, angel of wisdom.
Michael is the Chief Angel and his story is found in the book of Revelation about the war in heaven. The Dragon the Devil is the central character pitted against Michael and his army, two strong commanders fighting to the death. Which one will be killed? Certainly not Michael because the Dragon, the Devil is overcome by the Angel army showing that God will not make peace with evil. Only the victory of the Lamb, Jesus Christ is acceptable to God. So St Michael is a figure of Jesus Christ, a sign that He will come again and when that time comes God will send his messengers out. As Christians we are waiting for Jesus Christ to come again but what are we waiting for, a physical figure or are we aware we live as Christ’s people?
So this Michaelmas term think about ways to serve your neighbour and when they ask ‘Can you be an angel…?’ live up to being a messenger for God.
In our ringing context are we attempting to be angels and help other ringers gain knowledge and experience or is there evidence of being selfish and wanting only to advance our own skill? The recent open day in Ely diocese brought ringers of all abilities together and the ringing ranged from Call Changes to some methods, depending upon the band but all ringers had a fair chance to experience a range of bells and their idiosyncrasies!
Thank you Ely District for organising the day for ringers from all over the country and supporting the Stretham Teaching Centre.
Rhona McEune