The Visible World

Angels aren't - as far as I know - part of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Not in the way priests, deacons, monks, and nuns are, anyway. On the other hand, angels are involved in the Catholic Church. There's a very quick introduction to the angel angle of Catholicism in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 333-336. Including a mention of guardian angels. (Catechism, 336)

Angels, Guardian Angels, and Definitions

I'm a 'recovering English teacher,' so I think it's a good idea to know what words mean. I was fascinated by language long before I took up teaching, and that's another topic.

"ANGEL: A spiritual, personal, and immortal creature, with intelligence and free will, who glorifies God without ceasing and who serves God as a messenger of his saving plan (329-331). See Guardian Angels."

"GUARDIAN ANGELS: Angels assigned to protect and intercede for each person (336). See Angel."
(Glossary, Catechism of the Catholic Church)

I've been focusing on the invisible world - angels, mostly - for three 'Wednesday' posts now. It's time to look at the visible world.

Rich, Diverse, Orderly

The next part of the Catechism (337-349) is about the part of creation that we can observe more-or-less directly.

• God created the visible world
  • The visible world is
    • Rich
    • Diverse
    • Orderly
  (Catechism, 337)
• God created
  • Everything
  • Out of nothing
  (Catechism, 338)
• "Each creature possesses its own particular goodness and perfection."
  (Catechism, 339)
• Everything is interdependent, the
  • Sun
  • Moon
  • Cedar
  • Little flower
  • Eagle
  • Sparrow
  • Everything
  • Because God wants it that way
  (Catechism, 340)

There's more, about the beauty, interdependence, and order of the visible world.

Bottom line:

"God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed - the sixth day."
(Genesis 1:31)

Related posts:

• Angels
  • "My Lord and His Angels"
    (February 29, 2012)
  • "Angels, Theology, and Gilligan's Island"
    (February 22, 2012)
  • "Angels, Art, and Aliens"
    (February 15, 2012)
  • " 'Visible and Invisible' "
    (February 8, 2012)
  • "Angels: Wings, Violins, and Swords"
    (February 20, 2011)
• The visible world
  • "Gnosticism: Dissing God's Creation"
    (March 5, 2012)
  • "Science isn't a Four-Letter Word"
    (January 29, 2012)
  • " 'In a State of Journeying' "
    (January 18, 2012)
  • "Sex, Science, and the Home Schooling Parent"
    (September 17, 2011)
  • "Humans are Animals: But Not Just Animals"
    (August 31, 2011)
• The Catholic Church
  • "Catholics, Credulity, and Credibility"
    (February 12, 2012)
  • "Freedom, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and Me"
    (January 22, 2012)
  • "The Crystal Cathedral, Cathedrals, and the Diocese of Orange"
    (November 18, 2011)
  • "Ancient Style and Today's Discussions at the 'Vatican Science Academy' "
    (October 2, 2011)
  • "Zambia, America, and Two Millennia of Weaseling"
    (September 26, 2011)