| VII. Choir | 12 January |
|---|---|
| Angel of tenacity | Ernst |
When Lucifer rebelled against God, he carried away thousands and thousands of angels from every choir, but he reaped the richest harvest in the choirs of thrones, powers and virtues. Half of all the angels that fell away were from these three choirs. Therein lay a move of the infernal adversary: for the Choir of Thrones stands in the first Ring of Adoration, and if it was broken, it would disorder that ring, thereby overthrowing the Throne of God above all the heavens.
The Choir of Powers, in the second Ring of God’s Order, was to achieve the same purpose by its overthrow, namely to overthrow the Throne of God in the second ring—the Throne in Creation—thus bringing chaos over the whole of creation.
The Choir of Virtues is in the third Ring of Redemption, and again, Lucifer’s desire was to prevent God’s plan by the collapse of this choir.
God watches for a long time. One might think that He does not hear nor see, but nothing is forgotten. When the time comes, He is also there; then the word of judgement is spoken, and blessed is he who has persevered in good!
This perseverance in good is borne by the angel of this day,
Saint Abariel.
He is the angel of hope: of the virtue of hope, of tenacity and perseverance. Just as trust is a virtue that finally compels God, so too perseverance in good is a virtue that conquers God’s Heart.
Saint Abariel, despite his greatness, has a very light, soft step; he doesn’t even bend a blade of grass as he walks over germinating fields, dispensing the dew of Heaven’s blessing. At the right time, he awakens germination, growth and blossoming and imparts to creatures the perseverance to remain faithful to their destiny despite all inner and outer obstacles. He brings to men all the graces and gifts of patience and faithfulness, tenacity and perseverance, of waiting for the lenient hand of God in due time. That is why he holds both hands outstretched before him. God fills them with the light of grace that seeps downward like dew into the fields of the earth and souls.
Prayer: Lord, let us always pray with devotion: The eyes of all hope in thee: and Thou givest them meat in due season. Thou openest Thy hand, and fillest with blessing every living creature. Amen.
cf. Psalm 144:15-16