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110. The Action of Angels on Bodies

1. Superior rules inferior; hence angels rule the bodilyworld. St. Gregory says that in this visible world nothing occurswithout the agency of invisible creatures.

2. Angels, however, have not power to produce or transformbodies at will. God alone gives first existence to things; afterfirst creation, bodies come from bodies. But angels can stir bodilyagencies to produce change in bodies.

3. Angels can directly control the local movement ofbodies, for this is an accidental change in bodies, not asubstantial production of bodies nor a substantial change.

4. Angels cannot, of themselves, work miracles. Amiracle, by definition, is a work proper to God alone. Of course,angels can serve, even as holy men may serve, as ministers orinstruments in the performing of miracles. Angels, good or bad, cando wonderful things, but only such as lie within the power ofangelic nature, and a miracle surpasses the powers of all creatednatures.

"There is nothing which gives greater security to our actions, or more effectually cuts the snares the devil lays for us, than to follow another person’s will, rather than our own, in doing good."
St Philip Neri

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"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, he has only provided for those who pray."
St Augustine

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"Obedience is a short cut to perfection."
St Philip Neri

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