St. Michael's Lent 2026 - Reading #38 - Peace
Reading
As the angels see, so shall we see — but not yet.
"Such also is now the vision of the holy angels, who are also called our angels, because we, being rescued out of the power of darkness, and receiving the earnest of the Spirit, are translated into the kingdom of Christ, and already begin to belong to those angels with whom we shall enjoy that holy and most delightful city of God of which we have now written so much. Thus, then, the angels of God are our angels, as Christ is God's and also ours. They are God's, because they have not abandoned Him; they are ours, because we are their fellow-citizens."
Fellow-citizens already; full sight still ahead.
Our Lord confirms it: "The Lord Jesus also said, 'See that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always see the face of my Father which is in heaven.' As, then, they see, so shall we also see; but not yet do we thus see."
Peace’s end is that face — promised, not yet possessed.
Reflection
Every person under your roof has one of those beholding angels. The guardian assigned to your daughter is, at this moment, seeing the face of God, and seeing her, in the same gaze. You have never once been the only watchman on your wall; the whole vigilance this season has trained in you is a junior partnership with sentinels who never sleep and never sin.
Not yet do we thus see. That is the pilgrim's whole condition compressed into six words, and it is the reason for every discipline of these forty days: we walk by faith toward a sight the angels already have.
Tonight, on the vigil of the Archangel's feast, pray with your children to their guardians — by name, if you have named them. It is not a children's devotion you outgrew. It is reconnaissance from allies with better eyes.